Getting my ECHO its greencard - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Solace87 · 10-06-2009, 12:37 AM

So, my Echo is a Canadian model. The only differences I see are the speedo and odometer.
While the KPH and such dont bother me, Im sure changing it over would improve resale value by quite a bit. (and probably save my gf a ticket or two!)
Used instrument clusters are fairly cheap but is anyone aware of any aftermarket gauge backgrounds for these cars? I would rather just do that if they have some tasteful ones.

thebarber · 10-08-2009, 10:00 AM

cant just get a usdm one out of a wrecked echo?

Solace87 · 10-08-2009, 12:34 PM

Yeah thats what I meant, I just dont want to counterfeit mileage or anything so i was wondering if some insert or kit existed.

thebarber · 10-08-2009, 12:41 PM

cant pull out the pc from the usdm echo?

see if anyone on echodrivers.com knows...

Solace87 · 10-08-2009, 12:46 PM

Hmm see I wasnt sure. some you can, some you cant but can still dismantle it if you are good.
I am still waiting for my membership to be approved and to find an address for the 'management'
Im pretty much to the point where I dont care enough to be a member of that forum haha. Only reason is that I am very careful and ask all questions before I do something, worked on far too many cars to not know that some have little surprises and differences.

thebarber · 10-08-2009, 12:49 PM

ill mention it

its a slow forum these days, so admin isnt around a lot

Solace87 · 10-08-2009, 01:05 PM

That is sad, I really like this car for what it is. It is far better than the aveo I drove from around that time, and mine is a base model other than the cd player!

thebarber · 10-08-2009, 01:22 PM

we've got a base base aveo sedan at home....only option is an auto transmission

made a new thread about the wait time for new members on echodrivers.com....hope it helps you

Solace87 · 10-08-2009, 02:49 PM

What is your opinion of it vs the echo?
It has been years so maybe time has altered my memory on it.

thebarber · 10-08-2009, 02:58 PM

i always hated the non-RS echo interior with its grey blandness, its flat front seats, the center-mount cluster and the general boring-ness of the interior and exterior

the aveo interior feels cheap, then engine used old technology and isnt that great on gas (vs my yaris), i like the seats on it, but the cupholders in front of the hvac knobs and radio suck balls....the facia ive grown to love for its square-ness, but it too is a cheap car. i also dislike the GIANT front fender gap and the soft rear that sags when the trunk is loaded and ppl are in the back.

id like the aveo a lot more if it were a 5speed, but its our family car due to its 4 doors. the depreciation on it is insane and im not sure i could even straight swap for a 2000MY echo, lol

i dont have a preference, exactly as the aveo is just a good little run-around car that we/i don't mod at all.

the only reasons id want an echo is for the better mileage and i know the engine better (and due to the scions, theres more mods), but the aveo is paid off and is still under warranty and we've never had problems with it.....hard to get rid of it

Solace87 · 10-08-2009, 03:02 PM

Pretty much my logic, I am a big interior guy and i was shocked at the feel of the echo. its not luxury car but compared to the chevy it is better. In fact, my mom has a trailblazer LTZ (loaded) and the interior, in particular the latches and opening buttons feel so much cheaper.

Oh yeah, I would trust this engine alot more as well. I have checked it out pretty thorougly and the only thing that bugs me is the plastic intake, and thats only because my buddies plastic intake in his chevy blew up one cold morning due to a backfire

Just curious, has anyone boosted this car with the stock intake?

thebarber · 10-08-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solace87

Pretty much my logic, I am a big interior guy and i was shocked at the feel of the echo. its not luxury car but compared to the chevy it is better. In fact, my mom has a trailblazer LTZ (loaded) and the interior, in particular the latches and opening buttons feel so much cheaper.

Oh yeah, I would trust this engine alot more as well. I have checked it out pretty thorougly and the only thing that bugs me is the plastic intake, and thats only because my buddies plastic intake in his chevy blew up one cold morning due to a backfire

Just curious, has anyone boosted this car with the stock intake?

ya, lots of the scion guys boost their xa/xb's

i trust the engine on the aveo, its the timing belt that scares me

Solace87 · 10-08-2009, 03:49 PM

Hmm why is that?
I have a VR4, the queen of spitting out timing belts and I really had no troubles till I reached about twice the stock HP, and even then a kevlar belt, which was not that much more at all solved it. Do the aveo's have poor tensioners or something?

thebarber · 10-08-2009, 04:02 PM

no, they just say to change it every like 50000kms or some crazy sh1t, we're past 3yrs and only 38000kms now...just worried itll get brittle w/ the winters or something....me being paranoid though

Solace87 · 10-08-2009, 11:42 PM

That seems just ridiculous given the hp/displacement ratio of that car.
Hmm, not gonna say not to worry since I have not seen the car but I have never see a t belt break on a stock except at super high mileage and age. They tend to just stretch and stretch and them skip teeth.

But keep in mind I dont work on these small 4s, I work on 6s and 8s so maybe Im missing something. Just know that a good quality material shouldnt break.

Is it in a spot where you can view it every now and again without much work?