New Car - 1999 Toyota Echo

[BLSTIC]

Never before have I found a group of people who prize small engines and manual everything so much. Even going to the point of uninstalling factory options... But *I* don't have to! You see, my 1999 Toyota Echo came with... NO OPTIONS WHATSOEVER (except Air-conditioning, & because I'm in the humid tropics, it's staying).

I got the base of the base

1.3 Litre 5spd
3 door
Manual windows
Individual (not central) locks
Manual Steering
No ABS

Hell, the thing doesn't even have a remote hatch release...

So the plan is:

Plastic smooth hubcaps
Low rolling-resistance tyres
Rear spoilers/kamm-back setup
Rear wheel covers
Front fill in fairings (probably like the truck wheel brushes)
Edit: Oh and a flat belly pan

Oh, and a Prius 1NZ-FXE that's sitting at my mates yard doing nothing...

I'm hoping to get highway fuel economy at 4l/100km (58.8 mpg) or better with the A/C on. Factory is 4.6l/100km stock but nobody in Australia ever gets factory rated mileage, especially not because the rated mileage is without the air-conditioning (mandatory in parts of Australia) activated. My last car was rated at 4.5l/100km and at 100km/h with the cruise on it achieved 5.5. So I'm targeting a 30% reduction in cruising fuel economy.

[Daox]

Congrats on the new wheels. The Echo is a very capable car. I look forward to see some of your mods.

[Natalya]

Originally Posted by BLSTIC

I'm hoping to get highway fuel economy at 4l/100km (58.8 mpg) or better with the A/C on.

Good luck. What speed do you drive on the highway?

[BLSTIC]

100-110km/h

I'm not expecting to reach that without the prius engine installed though

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by BLSTIC

IFactory is 4.6l/100km stock but nobody in Australia ever gets factory rated mileage, especially not because the rated mileage is without the air-conditioning (mandatory in parts of Australia) activated. My last car was rated at 4.5l/100km and at 100km/h with the cruise on it achieved 5.5. So I'm targeting a 30% reduction in cruising fuel economy.

BZZT, try again. 30% over ADR even with A/C on. 100% over ADR on a good day in my Renault.

[puddleglum]

Good luck with it, I think these are wonderful commuter cars. I haven't had my Echo very long either but the mileage is impressive and I'm still getting used to it so I'm sure I can still do better. Mine is base too and it's had a tough life. It has power steering but no a/c. With the right mods and perfecting your driving techniques, I think you might reach your goal even with your present engine.

[BLSTIC]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

BZZT, try again. 30% over ADR even with A/C on. 100% over ADR on a good day in my Renault.

My swift was rated at 4.5/5.5 hwy/city. I achieved 5.5 and 6, with ac on. Highway economy was surprising, I was expecting it to be better, but I guess that's what I get for cruising at 110 and overtaking a lot.

Echo is rated about the same, so I'll be happy with the same numbers (especially considering the 320,000km on it) *before* modding.

Gotta get me some gauge feedback though. Injector cut is really hard to feel on this car and I need to know my minimum rpm for coasting.

[jamiec]

Hope you get your target fuel economy. looking forward to how your mods work out.