The Platz was a Japanese subcompact car built by Toyota from 1999 and 2005 and sold under the more attractive name, Echo, in the U.S. It was a no-frills sedan, and the 2-door model (like the seller’s car) was only exported to the United States. Though it runs, this Echo needs work and is devoid of an interior. Located in Neosho, Missouri, this possible brush car is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,000 OBO.
There was nothing revolutionary about the Platz (or Echo). The cars used front-wheel drive and inline 4-cylinder engines whose displacement was typically about 1.4 liters. Creature comforts were scarce, so you had to hand crank your own door windows (how barbaric!). We don’t know the history of this 23-year-old Echo, but off-road use seems likely. Some mods have been made, such as dual exhaust stacks (loud but why?) and a removable brush guard.
These cars weren’t some of Toyota’s best sellers, and only 28,000 were delivered to U.S. buyers in 2002. The seller says the interior of this one has been stripped, and what’s there needs to be cleaned (no photos). The Toyota has a 5-speed manual transmission, but it will need brake work. While cash always talks, the seller will consider trading for almost anything. What sort of future do you see for this little machine? BTW, this is a tip brought to us by Taylor Wright.
Bush league project!
Japanese 🥢🇯🇵 Mad Max mobile. 🚗
A “Platz”? If you know Yiddish, like I know Yiddish, I don’t know where to begin, once I stop laughing. Plotz, in Yiddish means to crack, burst, explode, and a poor name for a car. It’s no wonder comedians have a ton of material to work with, I can just see my dad driving a Platz,,,,
Hey Norma(Desmond) a platz!!!
Plotz is the active verb for the noun platz. An explosion can be a good thing (bursting with joy) but that is far less apt for an Echo, even one that’s brush ready. My all-time fave auto misnomer: Chevy’s introduction of the Nova to South America where ‘No Va’ means ‘Won’t Go’ in Spanish.
I never thought I’d see the day……….
Where there’d be Straight Pipes on a Toyota Echo!!!!!!
I actually would like to hear that little thing run……
And that push bar in front…..
It kind of says…….
Air bag????? I Don’t need no stinking Air
Bag!!!!!
I like it!!!
And that wing in the back?
Dude, me too! I wanna hear that exhaust!!!!
Um…………okay…..
“hold my beer”
Looks like it should have blinking amber lights and an “Oversize Load” board on it.
This car looks like it’s next stop might be the yard, but if they come down from that lofty figure of 3k, I’d be interested in a new to me commuter. That basket on the roof has no rails holding it and I’m scared that it might be screwed directly into the roof. That and the exhaust would be my first projects. Then finding an interior. I think I’d keep the bull bar on if it’s solidly mounted to the cars chassis, which I doubt it is. But I commute about 35miles into NYC everyday and 35 back so that bullbar, if properly mounted might come in handy
It’s better this way than factory
No it’s not.
WOW!!! But WHY??!!! 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Just wait until his Dad finds out what he’s done to the lawn tractor !
Seeing this just reminds me of my dream of buying a stump jumper for my daily commute.
What exactly is a brushmobile?
I was trying really hard to get into the brush buggy thing. Then I saw the spoiler. It was a spoiler. 👎🏻
all it needs are speed holes
Just like shoes make the man, this would benefit from some tires. My experience with these was an overnight use while I was between rides. Having the instrument cluster in center of the dash means that the steering wheel is not back lit. Driving at night you don’t see you hands on the controls. Strange.
I currently own 2 Echoes, an 03 auto (winter) and an 02 5-speed (summer) and have owned 2 prior to these. I don’t understand all the bizarre changes to this one, but I get 40-45 mpg on reliable Toyotas that can and often do last 400,000-500,000 miles on the original drivetrains. The instrument cluster being in the middle has never been a “thing” at all for me. (‘Ya look over “there” instead of “here”.) Took only a few seconds to adjust to.
Anything you drive more than once is no longer a “thing”.
The wing makes it for me.
The “Ricer Wing” does it for me , too . . What’s not to like . .
Not for me – I’m holding out for one of these with dually rear wheels, and a flatbed platform out the back with wood stake sides.
Holy cow.. what an eclectic set of accessories. All it needs now is a lift kit and some BFJ All Terrain tires. ;-)
why are wasting good space on something like this? barn find? I don’t think so
I think the inspiration for the twin “ Fart Pipes “ comes from hanging around a Truck Stop . .
Letting those Echos breath was all they needed to really run. With an open free flowing exhaust such as this, they would impress the unsuspecting.
This car is utterly ridiculous, that said I want to take it off road and pit ride it! I wonder how long it would last