Hi everybody,
I just bought a 2005 Echo 2-dr hatchback a week ago. So far so good, I love how fun to drive it is, it reminds me of riding a go cart.
Anyway, there's a few things I need to do to it to make it alittle more live-able, and a few other things I'd like to do just so I'll like the car a bit more.
First on the list is a basic stereo. The one that came in it doesn't have a cd player, so it's got to go. What I'm curious about, though, is where to put rear speakers. I do not want to put them in the hatch lid, as I'll often have the seats folded down. There's got to be a place to put a pair of speakers back there somewhere though.
Second is a roof-rack. I've priced out Thule, Yakima, and the one from Canadian Tire. Does anyone have any recommendations or preferences? I mostly want it for a bike right now, though I might put a plastic trunk or a canoe on there eventually.
Third, I'm curious about accessories like a rear spoiler, front bug guard, and the rubber guard on the bumper to protect from scratches when loading through the hatch. Is Toyota the best/only place to get stuff like that?
Then there's the exhaust. I never thought I'd be the kind of guy that would want a fart can on a car, but this car is such a blast to drive, and I love taking it through the rev range, I think it would be even more fun if I could hear the exhaust a little better. What's a good, affordable, nice sounding exhaust, not too loud, but with just a bit of attitude?
Finally there's rims. Browsing around the site here I've seen lots of references to different rims that'll fit the Echo, but what I'd love to have is an actual list of cars who's rims will fit on the Echo. That would make looking for alloy wheels at scrap yards alot easier.
Right now I've got 14" steel wheels on there, and will likely keep them for the summer as the tires have got lots of rubber on them, but for next summer I'd like to put on a set of alloys in 15 or 16", and would love to hear some feedback about what's a good size for the Echo.
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me with any of this.
Welcome! Congrats on the purchase, they're great little cars.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newfiebullet
First on the list is a basic stereo. The one that came in it doesn't have a cd player, so it's got to go. What I'm curious about, though, is where to put rear speakers. I do not want to put them in the hatch lid, as I'll often have the seats folded down. There's got to be a place to put a pair of speakers back there somewhere though.
If you can find speakers shallow enough, you may be able to mount them in the plastic on each side of the rear seats. I'm not sure how much space is behind there though, so you'd have to take the plastic off and see how much clearance you've got to work with. If worst comes to worst, you could always mount them in the parcel tray with plugs near the speaker terminals. That way you could simply unplug the speakers whenever you want to fold down your seats and remove the parcel tray.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newfiebullet
Third, I'm curious about accessories like a rear spoiler, front bug guard, and the rubber guard on the bumper to protect from scratches when loading through the hatch. Is Toyota the best/only place to get stuff like that?
Buying genuine Toyota parts would be the best thing to do, but it's not cheap. You should be able to find knock-off/third party products on the internet, but just shop with caution.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newfiebullet
Finally there's rims. Browsing around the site here I've seen lots of references to different rims that'll fit the Echo, but what I'd love to have is an actual list of cars who's rims will fit on the Echo. That would make looking for alloy wheels at scrap yards alot easier.
Right now I've got 14" steel wheels on there, and will likely keep them for the summer as the tires have got lots of rubber on them, but for next summer I'd like to put on a set of alloys in 15 or 16", and would love to hear some feedback about what's a good size for the Echo.
As long as you go for a 4x100 pcd wheel, with an offset of 35-45 you should be fine. 16" is a good size in my opinion. That's what my dad has on his 2001 Vitz RS and it doesn't scrape or rub at all.
__________________ **Click here to view my CarDomain page**
About the off-set, I know what that refers to, but I'm a little unclear about whether the bigger the number means a wider stance or a narrower stance. Does a +45 ofset make the wheel stick further out then, say, a +35?
About the off-set, I know what that refers to, but I'm a little unclear about whether the bigger the number means a wider stance or a narrower stance. Does a +45 ofset make the wheel stick further out then, say, a +35?
Not a problem. There's a cool little 'Thanks' button below my post if you feel like clicking it
As for the offset, the higher the number (+), the more the wheel will sit inside the guard/fender and the closer it becomes to the suspension components. The lower the number (-), the more the wheel will stick out, closer to the guard/fender lip and further away from the suspension components.
If the offset of the new wheels is less (-) than the stock wheels, then you may need to get the rear fender lips rolled so that it clears without scraping when going over large bumps (although this usually only becomes a problem when you lower the car).
__________________ **Click here to view my CarDomain page**
The Following User Says Thank You to Kiwi-Corolla For This Useful Post:
I have a toyota OEM bug guard if you would like it. Let me know if you are interested.
I am interested. I asked about that where I got my vent visors and he said he couldn't get them for an Echo. Have any pics? Ideas on price? I wonder what it would cost to ship.
I just realized you have an 05 so it may not fit but here it is
Oh wow, I didnt realize you were in Newfoundland when I posted it. I am in the US so shipping may be alot.
Forgive the front end :p, I got the car very cheap after it got broadsided by a BMW. I do engine work not body work so fitment isnt perfect but I did my best haha.
__________________
96 Supra
92 VR4
02 ECHO (never thought i'd see the day, but I love it!)
It depends on a few more factors than that.
Give me your:
stock tire size, and stock rim size
and the
size of the tire and size of the rim you plan to use.
and I will tell you exactly how it will effect your speedometer
__________________
96 Supra
92 VR4
02 ECHO (never thought i'd see the day, but I love it!)
Also, good for you for considering it. Alot of people dont.
In my vr4 the speedo is off by almost 10mph!, gotta keep an eye on it
I wonder how those guys that put the 28" rims on old school cars deal with it!
__________________
96 Supra
92 VR4
02 ECHO (never thought i'd see the day, but I love it!)
Also, good for you for considering it. Alot of people dont.
In my vr4 the speedo is off by almost 10mph!, gotta keep an eye on it
I wonder how those guys that put the 28" rims on old school cars deal with it!
The same way guys with 4x4's and 35" mudders do it I guess.
I really want a set of 16"rims and some decent tires for my car too, but Not until the 14" tires are wore out.
I am in the same boat as you regarding the rear speakers. I have asked on a few forums about what I should do and have had a variety of suggestions. What I think I am going to do is build a new lid/platform that goes over the spare tire... the new lid will have 2 6x9s flush mounted so the carpet can just be laid over top again, and the tools like the jack handle, etc, I will just wrap up in cloth and store beside the spare tire. With this setup, the sound might be affected if you have anything over the speakers, but I can't think of a better location than that to keep the speakers unseen. I will post pictures when I get that project done.
Solace, if that bug guard is not suitable for Newf, then I might be interested. I have a 2004 echo. Let me know if it is spoken for already.
Hey visser,
let us know how that works out if you get the speakers mounted in the spare tire cover. I just put two in the doors, in addition to the two that were in the dash already, and it actually sounds pretty good. I think if I were going to add anything else it would be a sub, but I don't really need it, so I'll probaly just pass.
You're welcome to the bug guard from Solace if you like. I think getting it shiped to Nfld would be problematic, so I'll pass on it.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Discussion area for all the Toyota Yaris and Echo owners worldwide.
to Toyota Nation! Congratulations too on the Echo purchase....
1993 Toyota Corolla
Linear Mode
