I've always wanted to see what they said about the Echo, and this is only the first drive. My dad bought a manual coupe back in February 2000, drove it for six years and 320,000 miles, and then gave it to me. Never missed a beat. I drove the original into rod knock in 2014 with 475,000 miles, replaced it with an xB engine with 30k on it, and the body is at 596,000 right now (thanks to being in Central California). They were very slept on. I know a 0-60 in 8.5 seconds doesn't sound like much, but back then that was faster by half a second than the Corolla (pre-VVTi), the Zetec 130hp Focus, and damn near every other subcompact from when it came out all the way to the end of the decade. The closest anything got was the most basic 2009 Accent (not even a radio) at 8.6, the Yaris around 8.7, and the second gen Fit hitting 8.3 in 2009. And this was with those skinny 175/65r14's and not even H-rated tires. Also very tall gearing even for today's market-- a 3.53 final drive means second gear is good up to around 62-64mph before hitting the limiter. What really let these down was bad advertising, odd proportions that are pretty much on par with any subcompact sedan to go on after it, and the handling. I've never seen one in Pick-n-Pull rolled/flattened like I have the Paseo, Corolla, or Tercel, and what Echoes I have seen flip, retained their roof-- it was a very hearty structure for being so light-- lighter than the MR2 Spyder! Toyota offered sport hatches throughout the world with better suspension and brakes-- even gave the U.S. those parts on the heavier and more cramped xA (which swaps over). Throw in those front seats, the rear beam, some MR2 Spyder front wheels all the way around, some decent 185/55r15's, open up the intake a little, and a Paseo manual transmission (also a C150, but different bell housing and shorter 3.9:1 final drive) and it should be even snappier. There are loads of OEM+ and aftermarket choices out there.
0-60 in 8.5 in the echo? seriously? That's really impressive. Kind of laughable to think my 88' Supra would barely beat it out. Love my 01' GT-S though, you can't really do better for a sporty daily. They certainly won't last as long as yours though wow.
Putting the 2ZZ found in the GT-S here in the Echo is pure insanity haha. The Echo is probably the most boring car Toyota ever made, but they are dead reliable and cheap. Still over the moon with my GT-S though.
My 01' GT-S is almost 25 years old now...hard to believe because IMO it looks almost like a new car still except better because newer safety standards make all newer cars look pretty weird. I just adore this car and modding it has been a blast.
its funny cause they flew off the dealer lots in Canada, even to the point where Toyota brought over the 1st gen Toyota Vitz/Yaris and sold it as the Echo hatch for 04-05 only.
You should buy this guy right now. I don't regret doing so for a second. It's an absolutely INCREDIBLE daily car. Still looks amazing and turns heads. Sad they don't make them anymore, but that just gets you more attention and the revs/valve lift are a joy everyday.
I would do a Honda K swap on that Celica. It was a good looking car, just wasn’t as capable as the one before it and it was the nail in the coffin for the Celica name.
2zz was a very capable engine compared to the kseries, stock for stock. Gearing on the 6 speed and the power band was an issue for alot of people. Civic vs Celica, the Celica also weighed less. The civic had the better suspension setup, where sharing a platform with the Corolla came with some compromises on the suspension.
I've always wanted to see what they said about the Echo, and this is only the first drive. My dad bought a manual coupe back in February 2000, drove it for six years and 320,000 miles, and then gave it to me. Never missed a beat.
I drove the original into rod knock in 2014 with 475,000 miles, replaced it with an xB engine with 30k on it, and the body is at 596,000 right now (thanks to being in Central California). They were very slept on. I know a 0-60 in 8.5 seconds doesn't sound like much, but back then that was faster by half a second than the Corolla (pre-VVTi), the Zetec 130hp Focus, and damn near every other subcompact from when it came out all the way to the end of the decade. The closest anything got was the most basic 2009 Accent (not even a radio) at 8.6, the Yaris around 8.7, and the second gen Fit hitting 8.3 in 2009. And this was with those skinny 175/65r14's and not even H-rated tires. Also very tall gearing even for today's market-- a 3.53 final drive means second gear is good up to around 62-64mph before hitting the limiter.
What really let these down was bad advertising, odd proportions that are pretty much on par with any subcompact sedan to go on after it, and the handling. I've never seen one in Pick-n-Pull rolled/flattened like I have the Paseo, Corolla, or Tercel, and what Echoes I have seen flip, retained their roof-- it was a very hearty structure for being so light-- lighter than the MR2 Spyder!
Toyota offered sport hatches throughout the world with better suspension and brakes-- even gave the U.S. those parts on the heavier and more cramped xA (which swaps over). Throw in those front seats, the rear beam, some MR2 Spyder front wheels all the way around, some decent 185/55r15's, open up the intake a little, and a Paseo manual transmission (also a C150, but different bell housing and shorter 3.9:1 final drive) and it should be even snappier. There are loads of OEM+ and aftermarket choices out there.
good review. 2000 Honda Civic EX 0-60 mph 8.3 seconds
0-60 in 8.5 in the echo? seriously? That's really impressive. Kind of laughable to think my 88' Supra would barely beat it out. Love my 01' GT-S though, you can't really do better for a sporty daily. They certainly won't last as long as yours though wow.
Bruh I still see these echos on the road lmao
I haven't seen an Echo around here in the Ohio Valley in a very long time. I always liked them. However, I still see final gen Celicas all the time.
Same here, I used to own an 01' 4 door myself. Awesome little cars lol.
Still see plenty of them putting around years later.
@@hakeemsd70m I bought an echo coupe last year for cheap. I haven’t seen another coupe ( I’m in okc )
I still fondly remember my 2000 Echo. She was real.
Echo was a great car. Looking for another one now.
Did you found it??? I remember seeing it everywhere in Puerto Rico.
Putting the 2ZZ found in the GT-S here in the Echo is pure insanity haha. The Echo is probably the most boring car Toyota ever made, but they are dead reliable and cheap.
Still over the moon with my GT-S though.
Toyota Tercel 1995 -1996 the favorite car
This is my favorite generation of Toyota celica all because that design even existed as early as 2000
Man, I can't believe my celica is already 20 years old...
Right. My Acura RSX is 21 years old. hehe
My 01' GT-S is almost 25 years old now...hard to believe because IMO it looks almost like a new car still except better because newer safety standards make all newer cars look pretty weird. I just adore this car and modding it has been a blast.
The Echo was a sales flop in the US but its platform and engine was used in the Scion xA and more successful selling xB.
its funny cause they flew off the dealer lots in Canada, even to the point where Toyota brought over the 1st gen Toyota Vitz/Yaris and sold it as the Echo hatch for 04-05 only.
They had different gearing for the auto tranny in the xB, though.
I should have bought a Celica back in the day!
You should buy this guy right now. I don't regret doing so for a second. It's an absolutely INCREDIBLE daily car. Still looks amazing and turns heads. Sad they don't make them anymore, but that just gets you more attention and the revs/valve lift are a joy everyday.
Wow! Titi Annie and Tío Georgie bought Toyota Celica GT and Titi Sandy bought Toyota Echo sedan.
Thank you so much for this video!🥺☺️
I used like that Celica. I remember a co-worker of mine driving one. It would be swallowed up by the BRZ/86 twins in today's world...
I would do a Honda K swap on that Celica. It was a good looking car, just wasn’t as capable as the one before it and it was the nail in the coffin for the Celica name.
It was more so the Economy at the time that killed the Celica. If you know anything about the 2ZZ, then you’d know it’s a very capable engine.
2zz was a very capable engine compared to the kseries, stock for stock. Gearing on the 6 speed and the power band was an issue for alot of people. Civic vs Celica, the Celica also weighed less. The civic had the better suspension setup, where sharing a platform with the Corolla came with some compromises on the suspension.
A Navigation system was avalible but only for the european and japanese markets the US market never got this option.
Y2K scares, lol !
🤖-I vacuumed the house and I'm going on a job, Kathy
That 2 door Echo should be on a top 10 list of ugliest cars ever sold in the U.S.
Ugly but practical, mine gets 45mpg still and is a 4 door, can't complain about saving money!