gas mileage is excellent. quality is excellent. big inside.
comfortable.....and cheap

none found so far.

Great little car...when I baby it I get 47mpg...normal = 41mpg, big inside, funny to drive....I like it.

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honda civic...which is also a great car.

What I appreciate the most is the importance that the environment played in the design of this car. Toyota was careful not to dismiss many concerns while keeping ecological impact among its priorities. Owning a car is still not as salutary as not having one at all but one cannot have a decent life in LA without a car. This was the car with the best environmental impact within my means. I'm really grateful that this car improves on the fuel economy of a two-seater and yet it will allow me to take my folks places or even carpool. Being a Toyota it will also last a really long time, which means that I will personally not cause the demand of cars to be built for a while.

Beyond the ecological thing though, this is an immensely adequate car. It's very roomy and everyone in it, including the driver, is going to be comfortable. Freeway driving is breezy and fast enough--if hummy--and the aggravation of stop and go traffic is much ameliorated by the great stereo/CD mine came with. It's not a sound system you really want to hear a string quartet with, but everything else will sound clear and strong, even brilliant. The car is quiet enough to allow this. It's also cool that Toyota allowed some of that Japanese ingenuity to show in its dash design, which is toy-like and yet, like, seriously convenient. And then there's the overhead space, the high seats and windows, windows, windows. I hope the safety features will prove as convincing as everything else in this car has. I believe Toyota says it's almost as good as the Camry in this respect.

I also bought the air-conditioning, power steering and an awfully overpriced dealer-installed alarm. Ouch!

I think I regret not having held off for a Prius now that I know California is going to assist the purchase of hybrids. But God knows how that is going to be worked out anyway. I have my ECHO now.

Options are pricey for the ECHO and none of the dealers are taking this car seriously enough to order them fully loaded, anyway. It's a conundrum. Although I shouldn't be in a hurry to accuse, as I must confess that the odd look of the car caused me not to consider the ECHO as my first option. I know better now, but I was THIS close to flying all the way to Phoenix for a VW Golf TDI. I would have if I hadn't been turned off by the possible unhealthful effects of diesel and also VWs' spotty reliability record. I also considered a Honda but the fools gave up on the hatchback just when I would have bought one. The old-looking interior of the Honda and the fact that no dealer had an HX engine on the floor for me to test was also a turn off. Toyota, too, made a really big mistake not bringing in the hatchback model to California instead of the awkward, Americanized sedan. They would have allowed me to make my mind much sooner, and I would now own an even more versatile car.

Shifting on my five-speed proves difficult sometimes. I think this is what the reviewers on other sites refer to as notchiness. At least one reviewer said that this goes away in time. The side view mirrors are low.

I am very, very happy with my ECHO. The look and feel of it has grown on me rather quickly and deeply, and I don't cease to see how favourably this car compares with any other I see as I drive, if not for any reason at least for its very individual, puckish personality. If you're a single guy like myself this is one of the friendliest, most decent cars you'll come accross.

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Personally, I have only owned little, second-hand cars--a Honda 87, a Celica 87 and a Chevy 88. How can these compare to an ECHO? As far as I'm concerned I now drive on a cloud.

inexpensive, great looking interior, abundance of compartments, CD/Cassette combination, neat console (not in front of driver, but in the middle), sits 5 people + luggage for 4 hour trip, gas mileage (always over 30), keyless entry

slow acceleration, lack of true security system

I know lots of people with other Toyota automobiles and the Echo definitely has its weaknesses, but you get what you pay for. I wanted a stylish, sporty car with CD/Cassette combo and I got what I wanted! I would definitely recommend this car for someone who wants an inexpensive car but with some great features.

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I had a 94 Geo Prism before this - interior looked cheap, worse acceleration, and A/C, heater and defroster horrible.

The short-but-tall design works well, particularly in city driving.
The sedan sits four adults comfortably and offers ample space for two large suitcases (passed the airport test). I doubt the three door version would though.

I was surprised by the floaty feel on the freeway when it's windy. The 1.5 litre VVT does not deliver the performance inplied. I'd describe the performance as functional, rescued by the relatively light weight of the car. Whilst professional reviewers rave about the sophistication of the engine, I don't think the manual gears are in the same category.

Functional car with an enjoyable driving position and smart, functional use of space. Highly recommended for city dwellers.

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Much more innovative than most other cars I drive for work, and in particular a better driving position.
More legspace in the rear than the 1980 Toyota Corona it replaced.

engine is responsive

buzzes and rattles more than my 2000 chevrolet cavalier!!! expensive for so called "toyota" quality

the so called reliablity is not worth the price

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chevrolet cavalier is faster and more stable in windy days also the my cavaliers quality seems to be better than my echos

Low cost of entry, borderline looks, good on fuel

Everything else, borderline looks. The car has no power, no room and generally sux in every way.

I MISS MY CIVIC!!!

In short, the old addage:"you get what you pay for" applies here!

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Honda 1990 Civic CRX Si

Roomy, some pep, cute, neat dash and compartments. Toyota quality. Miles per gallon 30 city, 39 highway. Inexpensive.

Watch hard turns, could have been alittle wider. Arm rest console. Many options, nothing worth mentioning that was standard.

$13600 Over all a thumbs up. What it comes down to is what do you like more the Focus, Sentra, Accent, Civic etc... I can recommend this car based on it's a Toyota. I got this because I couldn't afford anything more expensive. The Echo is just so neat. The interior and price sold me.

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Focus: almost equal, start adding optns to the Echo and pricing is simmilar

The gas mileage is great but i love the way the car looks. The headroom is nice especially for tall people like myself. The heat and air work great. i am 21 and this is my first new car and it's perfect.

It does sway around a bit in the wind but hey, it's a little car so what do u expect plus it weighs nothing either.

I give the car a high rating because it packs a lot of punch for the bucks. I'll admit keyless entry and cruise control would be nice but i'll live. At least i won't be left stranded like my old car did to me. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone who is just starting out.

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Before this the newest car i had was a 1987 nissan sentra and ECHO blows that tin can away!!!

Cold ewather performance is amazing, mileage, power, feel, quiet ride, reliability, and roominess.

None found in 8 months of summer and winter use.

I love this little car. I especially like the fact that it was designed and built with a sensitivity to the environment.

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VW beetle, Austin Mini 1000, Datsun B210, Honda Civic, Toyota Vans (2), Toyota MR2.

Too many to list! Excellent economy (>43mpg hwy), comfortable seats (especially lower back support), quiet ride, very reliable (no problems, 44,000 mi.). Solid, quality feel, superb headlights, roomy interior with nice stereo, peppy engine with smooth 4sp automatic. Very good handling.

Car has high profile and is light so be aware of this in high wind conditions or when hitting small snow drifts on the road.
Small cold air leak to the passenger's legs.

The main reason I think people buy a small car is for ECONOMY, and this car delivers without compromising in important areas like comfort and safety. But, I would not recommend it to impulsive young people because it is light and tends to be affected more by gusty crosswinds.

I was overall more impressed with this car than the Chevy Pizm I took for a test drive (more solid, quality feel). Also, insurance rates are $600 less per year and has better seats - no power windows (which I am very glad for).

If you want reliability, economy and comfort without sacrificing safety - this is a very good choice.

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Plymoth Horizon. Echo is far superior to it.