Toyota Vitz/Echo 2001 - 03 ish

[Snoozin]

Hi Toyspeed.

My partner recently wrote off (well... it's highly likely it will be a write off) her car so we're looking at 01-03 ish Vitz/Echo's as replacements.

The 1l models seem to be common enough in manual (manual is key...) but are they so gutless they can't get out of their way?

1.3 is preferred however.

Any other niggles or problems with these models? Assume they're ok on petrol.

Working with a budget of between 5 and 6 grand.

Thanks,

Rich

[Dell'Orto]

Totally go the 1300 version, the 1 litres are pretty damn slow. Petrol consumption is quite good as you'd expect. Chain driven motors so oness thing to worry about.

[Leon]

though ensure vvti is actually still working!

[bzrspeed]

ever thought about fiat punto sport its a 1200cc and manual.
Check wheel bearing and suspension.
Look for car with service history

[Kiwi-Corolla]

The 1300cc models are also gutless. I wouldn't look at anything other than the 1500cc Echo T-Sport or the Vitz RS (1500cc models only of course). Might be slightly more than you're prepared to spend, but it's definitely worth it.

[Snoozin]

ever thought about fiat punto sport its a 1200cc and manual.
Check wheel bearing and suspension.
Look for car with service history

No, never, and we're not going to either.

1500's/sporty ones are out of budget, I'm not expecting supercar performance but something that is able to get out of it's own way is preferred. It has a daily commute of about 15km, none of which is motorway.

She's stepping out of a 97 Mirage with a carbed 1500 so I imagine performance may be similar, which is fine.

Leon - can you please elaborate on your comment? Unfamiliar with the cars/engines etc.

[sergei]

ever thought about fiat punto sport its a 1200cc and manual.
Check wheel bearing and suspension.
Look for car with service history

Umm. No.
Buying Fiat in NZ is a fairly stupid thing to do. Why would you recommend a fiat punto, that apparently you need to check wheel bearing and suspension, especially where Vitz has none of those issues.

If you are after little bit performance get 1NZFE version (1.5L). The fuel economy wise you will be better off with 1.5L than 1.3L if you are a bit heavy footed.

[sergei]

ever thought about fiat punto sport its a 1200cc and manual.
Check wheel bearing and suspension.
Look for car with service history

No, never, and we're not going to either.

1500's/sporty ones are out of budget, I'm not expecting supercar performance but something that is able to get out of it's own way is preferred. It has a daily commute of about 15km, none of which is motorway.

She's stepping out of a 97 Mirage with a carbed 1500 so I imagine performance may be similar, which is fine.

Leon - can you please elaborate on your comment? Unfamiliar with the cars/engines etc.

What is your budget? and what sort of kms you are after? Care for an IST instead?

[Snoozin]

Are IST's available in manual? Manual is a key feature of this purchase but if so we'd consider one.

Budget 5-6k.

[sergei]

Are IST's available in manual? Manual is a key feature of this purchase but if so we'd consider one.

Budget 5-6k.

I missed manual part.
No JDM IST is not available in manual (although they made them for USA).

A good Vitz RS will set you back ~ $8000.


EDIT: I checked Trade Me and they went up in price since last time I was looking for one .

[Snoozin]

Yeah the 1.5's as much as I'd like one, will not fit into the budget. Feel free to suggest alternatives, but there doesn't seem to be a lot on the market that offers what a Vitz/Echo does for that sort of money.

[sergei]

Yeah the 1.5's as much as I'd like one, will not fit into the budget. Feel free to suggest alternatives, but there doesn't seem to be a lot on the market that offers what a Vitz/Echo does for that sort of money.

How much it will be used on high speed hilly roads? If it is just to be stuck in traffic sort of job, then there will be no difference between 1.3 and 1.5.

[Bling]

Glanza not something she's keen on?

[Snoozin]

Glanza's have all done pretty hefty km's from what we've looked at online so far, aiming around the 150km or less mark and 1300 Vitz/Echo's seem to fit the bill.

sergei nah hilly roads at speed will be a rarity - it might trip out of Auckland twice at year at most.

[Bling]

An ae111? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 401172.htm Was a good one I found when looking for a mate down here. Signature class and owned by older woman (could be a lie though I guess). $$$ on the table and i'm sure it would fit within the budget range.

[iOnic]

Honda fit/jazz sounds like it would fit the bill.

[sergei]

Honda fit/jazz sounds like it would fit the bill.

Fits have CVT issues (that can be fixed, but nonetheless).

[Bling]

An issue on manuals?

[sergei]

An issue on manuals?

Always forget about manual thing

[Lloyd]

ever thought about fiat punto sport its a 1200cc and manual.
Check wheel bearing and suspension.
Look for car with service history

Umm. No.
Buying Fiat in NZ is a fairly stupid thing to do. Why would you recommend a fiat punto, that apparently you need to check wheel bearing and suspension, especially where Vitz has none of those issues.

The Fiat may have been a good car over there (relatively), but the NZ market isn't quite the same. The Toyotas are much more common, easier and cheaper on parts and have a very good name here for reliability. The Fiats on the other hand are the opposite of all those things.

Don't take it personally, but European cars over here tend to fall apart or are reasonably expensive to repair in comparison to Japanese stuff. If we were in Europe then sure, parts for a Fiat would likely be as cheap and easy to get as parts are here for a Corolla. But the reality is that the majority of the cars on the road here are Japanese imports and it tends to be the safe options for a lot of people.