Going through some old photos on my PC (Which I can’t believe is still running after I abandoned it for a Macbook Pro) I stumbled upon some photos of my Echo RS Hatchback. After High School, I’m sure a lot of young adults wanted a fast car or a car that reflected “Social Status”. I was not one of those young adults.

When I graduated the car I wanted to own was a Toyota Echo RS Hatchback. Family and friends were a bit confused with my car of choice, that is until they saw the vision I had for the little Echo…

In my house, you’re bound to find a car tuning magazine on the coffee table; whether it be as American as Import Tuner to Super Street or as “JDM” as Option Magazine. Being exposed to Option Magazine when I was younger I noticed that Japan had a variety of unique vehicles that were not found here in North America.

At the time one of those vehicles was the Toyota Vitz RS. When I first saw a modified Vitz in one of the Option magazines this was a car I definitely wished I could own.

In 2003 Toyota Canada granted my wish and released the Vitz under it’s North American name the Echo Hatchback. When I found out the news I knew this was the car I wanted to build and I immediately asked my parents if they could help me get this car. But being in the household I’m in you have to work to get what you want.

In 2004 I eventually got what I wanted, and after countless overtime hours and 3 jobs (I was even in Post Secondary school too) my vision was finally brought to life.

Although I no longer own this car, I do plan on finding another white Echo RS Hatch in the future. Looking at these pictures though, I kinda wish I never got rid of it in the first place and continued with the build. LOL!

But hey who knows what I’ll have up my sleeve with the XRS… ;D

Exterior & Lighting
-JDM Toyota Vitz Rear Emblem
-JDM Toyota Vitz Hood Bonnet
-JDM Toyota Vitz OEM Style Front Lip
-JDM Toyota Vitz OEM Color Matched Side Mirrors
-Honda S2000 Antenna
-Helios 6000k HID Kit

Engine
-Engine: 1NZ-FE
-Displacement: 1.5L
-Blitz SUS Power Air Intake
-TRD Japan Oil Filler Cap
-Greddy Radiator Cap
-Apex’i WS2 Exhaust

Suspension
-Tein S.Tech Coil Springs
-KYB GR2 Gas Shock Absorbers
-Greddy/Trust Front Strut Tower Bar
-Tanabe Front Underbrace
-Tanabe Rear Underbrace

Wheels & Tires
-Work Nezart Spoke 2 15×7 +32 (Gloss Black/Polished Lip)
-Kumho Ecsta 712 195/50R15
-NKB Cup 16×7 +30 (Front), 16×9 +35 (Rear) (Silver/Polished Lip)
-Falken Ziex ZE-512 195/55/16 (Stretched)
(The NKB Cup wheels never fit properly on my car =/)

I.C.E.
-Alpine GlideTouch HeadUnit
-Alpine 6″ Type-S Speakers (2)
-Alpine 4.5″ Type-S Speakers (2)
-Kenwood 10″ Bass Tube