Toyota Echo Off-Road

The video description says: "I wanted to show people that you don't need an overpriced gas guzzling SUV or truck to get some work done, on or off road. In this video I take the Echo into the woods to pickup a half cord of firewood."

And that's exactly what the video shows. I heat my house with wood. I haul that wood with an economy car, because I can. Do I think everyone who drives an overpriced gas guzzling truck is a moron? No. However most of them could get buy with something less extravagant, and in the process provide themselves with a more secure future. But I really don't care, I wouldn't be as well off as I am if it weren't for good 'ole American consumerism. So keep on keepin' on. Good luck.

These comments are hysterical. First, I think you missed the "goal". Second, please go move 4 cords of firewood up and down a hill and through the woods using a wheelbarrow, then get back to me! Been there, done that! You would never suggest this idea if you've ever done it, I guarantee it!! :)

The wife had never been driving though the woods before. I can't help it if she is easily amused, although I must say, driving though the woods where no one has driven before IS very entertaining... I was also very amused the first time I did it. I highly recommend it for those looking for a cheap thrill, but your overpriced truck is too valuable to actually do this with, right? ;)

you say you can't have a thrill in an overpriced truck? you obviously have never been actual off roading in a 4x4 truck or suv, trust me going mudding int he woods is a hell of a lot more fun than just driving down a dry trail in the woods thats no big deal anyways, plus in case you didn't know people get the big trucks for actual work and towing, not everybody that gets a big truck or suv just cruise around in it, also in case you didn't know, the value of a car drops a hell of a lot faster than a truck or suv, an like i said in the comment that you deleted because i was right, have fun rebuilding the transmission (transaxle in your case since its front wheel drive) after it goes out since a car's transmission or transaxle ain't made for pulling any kind of load, so ya im going to laugh my ass off if your little echo's transmission blows while in the woods and will actually cost more to fix the transmission the car is actually worth now since you say it has 170,000 miles on it

I haven't deleted any comments, but it seems like some did get removed (metacafe?). Anyway, I've seen transmissions go in cars with 80,000 miles on them even though they were never used for towing at all, I've seen truck transmissions go at 60,000 miles, some truck owners have to rebuild their transmissions on a routine basis (at a cost higher than replacing the toyota transmission I might add!).

I have no idea how long my transmission will last, but I've been towing with it for years and have had absolutely no problems. Not long from now I expect to hit the 200,000 mile mark.

The echo is rated to tow 1500 lbs in the Australian literature, 2000 lbs in the European Literature, and not recommended to tow at all in the American literature even though the car is the the same in all countries (slightly beefier actually in America). I assume they do this just for legal purposes. The car comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting a hitch so draw your own conclusions. I don't drive long distances or at high speeds when I'm towing with it.

to be honeast i could care less for that little echo, ya it might be rated at that certain weight but guess what that just means its able to pull that much, doesn't mean it can continually do it, also ya you've bene doin it for years but look how long you only do it each time, not long at all, ya your not pulling trailers longer distances but it can still wear the transaxle out quicker, and just because it has holes in the frame for a hitch don't mean S**t , cars overall ain't made for towing trailers, ya you can do it but it will just wear the transaxle quicker thats all because they're just not made for it, one of ym ex boses used to tow his motorcycle with a ford Tbird and it could do it but he then bought a ford expedition for that so he does wear the transaxle out, also those truck transmission you talk about that have to get rebuilt after only 60,000 miles is because of 2 reasons, one the truck is driven like hell meaning spinning tired, burnouts, starting off fast, thing slike that or 2 they use it primarily for towing and hauling on a daily basis like in construction, plus truck transmission have more HP and more torque to deal with, more torque means more stress, im not saying i know everything and i nevre said i did but what i do know i'll argue, not saying you don't know anything at all but obviously you couldn't even be a backyard mechanic so you don't really understand how things are, not saying thats bad cause not evreybody can know about cars but you just think certain stuff and want to make it act like you know it, oh and by the way i bet your spinning the tires in the woods to which makes it worse, also my truck has 133,000 miles on it and i've never needed a new transmission or have it rebuilt, yes i do use it as a truck but only once in awhile only when i need to, and a truck isn't over priced, it has a 5.7L 350 V8 with maybe 260 HP the way it is now and 350 ft lbs of torque with a tow rating of 7,000 lbs which isn't as much as new trucks now but back in 98 that was avg, also my truck has 4x4 which your little echo doens't, i can even technically have all wheel drive by putting it in 4HI since thats what all wheel drive is just full time 4x4 in 4HI, ya my truck is more expensive that your little echo S**t but you get more for what you pay for, my truck is worth roughly 8,000-9,000 and thats not a guess thats kelley blue book, so all in all jsut because you can tow a few pounds with an echo dont' mean trucks are over priced, echos are built for daily commuting and not towing, ya it has the tow rating but every vehicle has that, you may think you know about car mechanics but you really don't, you might not need a 4x4 truck and thats fine buy whatever the hell you want its your money but don't talk down to trucks saying they're overpriced when they're not, maybe the brand new trucks can be or well the 1/2 ton trucks are, you just make yourself sound like you think your better than the people with trucks and suvs just because you can tow a few hundred pounds with an echo, you may think 1800-2000 lbs is a lot but thats not even my truck weight, truck weighs 4,200 stock dry weight but probably more than 4,500 now, your car MIGHT be able to pull my truck because i've had an old honda accord do that but you do it more than a couple times the transaxle will be out, plus try going up a steep hill, maybe your just hating on trucks because you want one but can't afford one, just buy a used 4 wheeler and be done with it

p.s. No, I didn't say you can't have a thrill in an overpriced truck. But I will say this - better to RENT ONE FOR THE DAY than to screw up the one you own (even better if you don't own one at all). And just for the record, I've actually done this. It was well worth the $25, haha. Should have made a video of that too!!

i agree with this guy, toyotas r like tampons every P***y has one

But most people like throwing money away because they think it makes them "cool". I'd rather be a millionaire than a broke "cool" guy.