Topic: The Echo lives!

[rrocket]

Well we got some real snow today, so after getting the Accord coupe ready to go (winter wheels, X-Ice 2s) I thought I'd get the Echo going.  I had basically done zero for "summerizing" it.  Filled tank up, added Stabil and that's it.  That was March.  Went to start it today..dead battery.  Not shocking..it's still the OEM battery.  Installed a new battery and starts right up!  This is the most expensive repair cost the Echo has had to date. $85 for a battery!  I keep waiting for the Echo to die, but at 280,000kms, it doesn't want to give up the ghost!  And it still delivers 40MPG...in the winter.

I'll be sad when it eventually dies.....

[Ontariodriver]

LOL. It's still going. Is yours noisy. Minds buzzy on idle. But nothing has gone wrong in 6 months.  I'm driving a Impala all day and when I go home, I drive the Echo, The Echo feels very upright. The steering feels like a go cart. I have to say I like these quirky cars. The only thing I find I don't like, are the wing mirrors they are little on the small sizes.

[safristi]

..here is a possible disposal/burial site................

[wing]

Didn't try charging the battery first? haha

[mmret]

Didn't try charging the battery first? haha

He's got too much money to throw around. Real estate is cheap in London or wherever

[DKaz]

That's what I said about my 18 year old Corolla at 356,000km, got tired of waiting for it to die so sold it for $800 to a student and got a new car.

[Seafoam]

Well we got some real snow today, so after getting the Accord coupe ready to go (winter wheels, X-Ice 2s) I thought I'd get the Echo going.  I had basically done zero for "summerizing" it.  Filled tank up, added Stabil and that's it.  That was March.  Went to start it today..dead battery.  Not shocking..it's still the OEM battery.  Installed a new battery and starts right up!  This is the most expensive repair cost the Echo has had to date. $85 for a battery!  I keep waiting for the Echo to die, but at 280,000kms, it doesn't want to give up the ghost!  And it still delivers 40MPG...in the winter.

I'll be sad when it eventually dies.....

I think you may have it for a while if you change the oil regularly and it's not too badly rusted. I know of one with over 500,000km on it[2000 model] and another with almost 300,000km that a friend gave to his daughter recently, he bought a yaris to replace it with. While some on here call these cars penalty boxes to drive they don't require a lot of maintenance.

[dr_spock]

Trickle charger is cheaper than a new battery, I think. 

Any idea of how many more years of enjoyment out of the Echo?   Do you drive it at all in the summer?

[Julie]

 

[rrocket]

Didn't try charging the battery first? haha

Tried...my charger said "trouble".  When I brought it in, the diagnosis was "dead".  As for the trickle...I already have 2 other batteries charging.  The Echo has started every year...just not this year.

I think the clutch may be going.....

[Flinter]

That's a pretty exceptional run for the Echo. You've gotta love a car that goes about it's business so reliably.

How's the body holding up against rust? If you can keep the rust at bay, I'd bet there's lots of life left in that powertrain.

[rrocket]

That's a pretty exceptional run for the Echo. You've gotta love a car that goes about it's business so reliably.

How's the body holding up against rust? If you can keep the rust at bay, I'd bet there's lots of life left in that powertrain.

There is rust.  But the OEM clutch is on the way out.  And to replace that...is not worth it IMO.  I'm too lazy to do it, so I'd have to pay someone.  Doing a clutch on a FWD car sucks....

[tortoise]

Does that mean the Echos days are numbered?

[Flinter]

There is rust.  But the OEM clutch is on the way out.  And to replace that...is not worth it IMO.  I'm too lazy to do it, so I'd have to pay someone.  Doing a clutch on a FWD car sucks....

Bummer, but 280K out of the OEM clutch is pretty good. What do you think it would cost to have someone replace it... $800-$1000??

Depending on the rust situation, it might be worth it.... unless you are getting the itch for something different.

[rrocket]

There is rust.  But the OEM clutch is on the way out.  And to replace that...is not worth it IMO.  I'm too lazy to do it, so I'd have to pay someone.  Doing a clutch on a FWD car sucks....

Bummer, but 280K out of the OEM clutch is pretty good. What do you think it would cost to have someone replace it... $800-$1000??

Depending on the rust situation, it might be worth it.... unless you are getting the itch for something different.

The clutch itself is only $90.  But the labour...about 10 hours.  So is a 280,000km Echo worth ~$700 in repairs?  I don't think so.  I would guess that's the value of the car.  Certainly the car is worth no more than $1000. 

Not sure what we'll get next.  Likely some AWD vehicle.  Legacy GT, Outback, Impreza..or a small trucklet of some type.

[Erik]

Damn shame. Heartbreaking when a trooper of a car like that comes to the end of it's days.

[rrocket]

Damn shame. Heartbreaking when a trooper of a car like that comes to the end of it's days.

Oh it's no there yet!!  Just getting harder to shift.  Can see the writing on the wall.  Hoping it will get through the winter.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Not sure what we'll get next.  Likely some AWD vehicle.  Legacy GT, Outback, Impreza..or a small trucklet of some type.

Subaru Baja!

[rrocket]

Not sure what we'll get next.  Likely some AWD vehicle.  Legacy GT, Outback, Impreza..or a small trucklet of some type.

Subaru Baja!

For $5000?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Not sure what we'll get next.  Likely some AWD vehicle.  Legacy GT, Outback, Impreza..or a small trucklet of some type.

Subaru Baja!

For $5000?

Uhm, probably not.