Questions: Highly considering a 2004 or 2005 Echo RS!

[white_rabbit]

I love the look, love the promise of reliability and I especially love the fuel economy. But considering the Echo is no longer made, I am worried about parts. I have heard fixing and maintaining an Echo is really cheap, but are parts for the Echo still widely available or at least interchangeable with current Toyota models?

I'm asking because the problem with my current car (besides using too much gas!) is that parts are really hard to find and expensive, because they aren't made anymore. I don't want the same stress with my new car!

Any other tips for buying a used 04/05 Echo? I like the RS model, since they all seem to have power steering and ABS standard (which are important to me in Ontario Winters!) Should I be wary of Echos with high kms? What is a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance!

[ECHOKnight2000]

I see you're from Canada but in the U.S. from my understanding its the law for automakers to keep parts of discontinued models for at least 20 years or so. I don't know how accurate I'm on that but I believe that's the law or policy. I'm assuming for mainstream makes like Toyota, as opposed to very niche' makes like Aston Martin or something like that. But at this point I believe you should be fine.
I had a 87 Toyota Van and they still had parts (this was about 10 years ago). Obviously they had to order them from Japan.

You could check with the dealer and ask their parts service if they know anything about this. But the ECHO is nothing remotely exotic so I don't think you'll have a hard time. Heck there are cars older than it in that you can find parts.

Oh yeah, best of luck. YOu Canucks are lucky that you got the cool first gen Yaris hatch (sold as ECHO). If they had that at the time I got my ECHO sedan I would have gotten the hatch for sure!

[white_rabbit]

Thank you! I had figured as much, but then again, I didn't think my Saturn was particularly exotic either, yet finding parts was hard and expensive.

I LOVE the hatchback Echos. That is definitely the body style I will be going for!

Is there really much difference between the RS model and other Echo models in 2004 and 2005, or is it mostly cosmetic? It just seemed to me that the RS models seemed to have features standard that the others only had as options (like ABS and power steering).

Now it's just a matter of finding one! Which is evidently hard since people want to hold onto them. A good sign, I think!

[2005RS]

I love mine. It's just an options package: extra plastic trim, rear spoiler, alloy rims, abs, that sort of thing.
The back seat seats 2 instead of the 3 for the other models.
I don't think parts are going to be a problem for quite some time

[white_rabbit]

Thank you! Good to know. I've just inquired about an RS out of town that is close to the price range I want and the kms are acceptable, especially considering it sounds like it was very well cared for. Fingers crossed that I can sell my own car soon and pick that Echo up!