Just got an echo!

[Mentaluproar]

A friend of mine moved to New York and needed to sell her 2003 Toyota Echo. Great timing, since my Accent was peeing itself in the rain, growling when coasting, and recently started burning oil.

I thought the lack of power steering would be an issue for me. However, I'm surprised how simple it is! The can cleaned up very well too. It handles wonderfully for such a little thing, and the fuel economy I'm guessing is at 42mpg. (I am on half a tank and drove 210 miles). I'm really impressed with this car!

I replaced the spark plugs, belt, battery, a few bulbs, gas cap, all that tedious crap, so it passed echeck and I was allowed to register it and bring it home. Now all I need is a new front bumper cover (huge ugly crack in this one), have the exhaust looked at (sounds like when the previous owner had the muffler replaced, they mounted it wrong so I hear it banging around), and finally, to replace that god awful stereo.

I guess this post didn't really have a point other than my excitement over my replacement car. Finding an active community like this is great too.

[denman]

Welcome the the "Fan Club". My 2000 Echo has 200k kms and I'm still hugely impressed with the little rig. In addition to the good stuff you've already done I'd recommend getting a rust-proofing of some type. The cars seem to run forever, but when the body goes that's the end of the story. I think you'll be impressed with the wealth of experience and talent on this forum.

[Mentaluproar]

rust proofing....any suggestions other than the seasonal waxing?

[JNEG]

I went with bigger tires and wheels to cut down on the choppyness of the ride, and needed a tach, since mine is a 5 speed. Great fun to play with and add doo dads!

[Mentaluproar]

Add ons sound fun, but I still have that evap code to take care of. I will say I don't mind the 14 inch wheels like I thought I would.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by Mentaluproar

rust proofing....any suggestions other than the seasonal waxing?

Up here in Canada rust proofing consists of spraying most of the car with an oil type anti rust treatment, many companies are in the busness of saving your car from the ravages of rust, strange that the procedure isnt widespread in the US.
Heres a couple of major rust proofing chains

http://krown.com/#process/

http://www.antirouille.com/en/rustproofing/application

Applications are done once a year and cost $75-$100,
do it every year and your car will never rust..

[sarsman45]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Up here in Canada rust proofing consists of spraying most of the car with an oil type anti rust treatment, many companies are in the busness of saving your car from the ravages of rust, strange that the procedure isnt widespread in the US.
Heres a couple of major rust proofing chains

http://krown.com/#process/

http://www.antirouille.com/en/rustproofing/application

Applications are done once a year and cost $75-$100,
do it every year and your car will never rust..

Corporate doesn't believe in rust proofing because they are located in Sunny SoCal.

Jk, its because the majority of Americans don't see snow for more than a few months and rust takes time to form and break down the metal (there is/was rust protectant on the vehicle but is probably gone by now). As long as you wash the undercarriage after winter or after driving through areas where they salt the road you should be good, although extra coverage is warrant when you face full on snow country for a season.

[Mentaluproar]

I'm wondering if I can fix that EVAP leak myself...I replaced the gas cap already and that helped for a few weeks, then it came back. Where should I check?

[ECHOKnight2000]

Congrats on the car. I have an 03 ECHO as well, 2-door U.S. spec, black. Approaching 130k. No problems, just maintenance.

To be honest I don't know if you want to spend money on rustproofing an 8.5 year old car but that's up to you. Maybe cause your in Canada its worth it. I'm in MN but I don't think its as bad as Can.

[denman]

I've had good results rustproofing older cars as well, ... tends to slow the corrosion. As to who does it, lots of corner garages and Oiltrell, Ziebart, Rust-Check and Krown come to mind. You can do some good with rattle-cans as well, but the good garages do quite a cleaning prior to treatment. I empty my trunk right to the metal and they spray inside too, messy and stinky for awhile but effective...

[sarsman45]

Originally Posted by Mentaluproar

I'm wondering if I can fix that EVAP leak myself...I replaced the gas cap already and that helped for a few weeks, then it came back. Where should I check?

What kind of gas cap? (Stanley. OEM. etc) I found out through trial and error (resetting the ECU by pulling the battery) that the Stanley ones kinda suck because the o-ring doesn't seal very well compared to the OEM one (not as plush and supple) and ended up purchasing a new one from the dealer that did its job better.

[Mentaluproar]

Wow, I got a Stanley one online. The previous owner still had the old one there, but smeared vasoline all over it every time she had to refuel. Messy, but it worked.

I guess I have to head to the local Toyota dealer huh? I really don't want to give money to marhoffer, the jerk. Is there a way to order an OEM cap online?

[denman]

Originally Posted by Mentaluproar

I guess I have to head to the local Toyota dealer huh? I really don't want to give money to marhoffer, the jerk. Is there a way to order an OEM cap online?

I've gotten lots of stuff online and found it's usually cheaper than any other source, especially dealers. But not always; call and compare every time. An example was my front wheel bearings: Toyota price beat everyone at about $50- each, and they were IN STOCK!

[Mentaluproar]

It's not a matter of price here. The only local Toyota dealer here is rather politically verbal and a bigot, so I'm not interested in giving him a dime.

Edit: never mind. I found another by my mothers place.