Is there an echo in here? Toyota Echo/Yaris owners? Roll call.

[MetroMPG]

I've seen at least 3 members here mention they owned (or still own) an Echo/Yaris.

Someone else just joined your ranks.

I no longer subject my 1998 Firefly to winter salt & rust. So I've been buying a winter beater each year for a while now. And I just scored a fantastic deal on next year's beater:

• 2004
• 5-speed
• 220k kms
• absolutely base model, no options (like "Micra S" base)
• even has manual steering -- I was a bit surprised by that

The fact it has a timing chain instead of a belt is a bonus. That's a first for me.

I got a great deal on it: $1000! Mechanically, it's totally fine. Rust is the problem -- it's getting a little rusty around the edges (door sills, bubbling on the hood). The worst is the rear rocker panels, with a good sized hole ahead of each rear tire. Before the snow flies, I'll have to do some of my trademark crappy welding to fix it up.

Driving it makes me think of the Micra. Very similar power:weight ratio.