new guy questions

[RyanR]

Hey!

I've been reading this site and echodrivers for the past week or so to answer a lot of my questions about this car and so far I've gathered that there's not a whole lot that goes wrong with these cars! . I'm looking for a car this winter around the 2003 m.y. and around 100000mi on the clock (less is better though). So I'm trying to see if this car would be a good choice and what I'll be getting myself into. Another goal of this car (potentially) is to be a rallycross car. I'm already using my GTI for RX and this car is 700lbs lighter with the same amount of power, which is pretty appealing for racing.

I have a few questions still though:

1) Are there any severe rust spots that occur, and where are they usually found?

2) Are there any mechanical problems that go typically wrong?

3) Are there any recalls I should know about and ask about to a seller?

4) Anything I'm missing??

5) I've read about the A111 20v engine bolting in... are there any other engines that do this?

6) I've been browsing the offsets thread, and I was wondering, how low can coilovers bring the car down? I was considering the Ksport pro controls for a gen1 xb since it'll probably have stiffer spring rates.
Has anybody explored this? I know this questions contradicts the rallycross thing, but after this year, i'll be getting out of it for a while.

Thanks in advance! ... I'm sure I'll have morequestions in the future...

[soloecho2]

Originally Posted by RyanR

Hey!

I've been reading this site and echodrivers for the past week or so to answer a lot of my questions about this car and so far I've gathered that there's not a whole lot that goes wrong with these cars! . I'm looking for a car this winter around the 2003 m.y. and around 100000mi on the clock (less is better though). So I'm trying to see if this car would be a good choice and what I'll be getting myself into. Another goal of this car (potentially) is to be a rallycross car. I'm already using my GTI for RX and this car is 700lbs lighter with the same amount of power, which is pretty appealing for racing.

I have a few questions still though:

1) Are there any severe rust spots that occur, and where are they usually found?

None other than stone chips on my 04.

2) Are there any mechanical problems that go typically wrong?

I had to do wheel bearings at 120,000 Km and the other at 165,000 Km

3) Are there any recalls I should know about and ask about to a seller?

No

4) Anything I'm missing??

Its a blast for Lapping days at Mosport

5) I've read about the A111 20v engine bolting in... are there any other engines that do this?

Don't know

6) I've been browsing the offsets thread, and I was wondering, how low can coilovers bring the car down? I was considering the Ksport pro controls for a gen1 xb since it'll probably have stiffer spring rates.
Has anybody explored this? I know this questions contradicts the rallycross thing, but after this year, i'll be getting out of it for a while.

I just went with EBACHS and new struts and shocks.

Thanks in advance! ... I'm sure I'll have morequestions in the future...

[Dake]

Historically, Toyotas have always gotten rust spots at about the 10 to 11 o'clock position on the rear wheel wells, but my '01 Echo doesn't have a speck of rust anywhere on it, so they may have finally sorted that out. Then again, mine has never driven in snow (or salt), so maybe some of our friends in the Great White North can chime in.

You can go HERE to check out recalls and service bulletins.

As for the rest, I can't help you much. I do know the wheel wells aren't very roomy though, so I'd think you have to do some major structural modification to get decent clearance for Rally driving.

But, if you make it happen, we definitely want to see pics!

[Yaris Hilton]

Toyota mailed me a recall on the 2001 Echo to replace the crankshaft position sensor. When I finally took it in (2-3 years later), I got it back after just having time to drink a cup of coffee. The job's about like changing a spark plug, I think. That's the only recall notice I got.

[denman]

Regarding the rust my 2000 Echo is holding up well largely due to commercial corrosion protection, ... I have a favorite in Ottawa but I think you can't go wrong as long as you DO IT, in your case as soon as you get it, then maybe every second year. I like late-August after a dry spell so the goop can soak into all the dry crevices, and the places are not too busy. BTW welcome to the forum! I look forward to learning about your upgrades. I drive for economy, but we can all learn from "those who push the limits" as 'twere.

[RyanR]

Thanks for the responses!

Originally Posted by denman

Regarding the rust my 2000 Echo is holding up well largely due to commercial corrosion protection, ... I have a favorite in Ottawa but I think you can't go wrong as long as you DO IT, in your case as soon as you get it, then maybe every second year. I like late-August after a dry spell so the goop can soak into all the dry crevices, and the places are not too busy. BTW welcome to the forum! I look forward to learning about your upgrades. I drive for economy, but we can all learn from "those who push the limits" as 'twere.

I noticed the factory recall on the rust protection issue for the m.y. 2000's, so hopefully by the 02's or 03's they had that flaw sorted out. Thanks for the heads up with the protection and for the welcome!

I'll push as much as I can, but initially, I"ll be shooting for an "OEM+" approach just to keep thing simple. It's hard enough making my all-seasons last as long as they're supposed to! I'm pretty pumped for this switch, hopefully I won't regret it!