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D4 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 12,2000 B e s t W h e e l s O a k v i l l e Toyota Echo exudes youthful exuberance Toyota hopes to make a major play for the youth market with the all-new 2000 Echo. Although the car is about the same length as the previous entry-level Tercel, it is wider and considerably taller, which helps give it a big edge in interior space. Inside, the instrument gauges are mounted at the top por tion of the dash for easy viewing. There are plenty of built-in storage spaces such as door and seat-back pockets, CD bins and a split glove box. Power is provided by a 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing that is capable of 108 horsepower. That should be enough to propel this mighty-mite in a sprightly fashion. Both two-, and four-door versions are avail able, as well as a wide range of options includ ing air conditioning and up-level audio systems. Type: Sub-compact coupe sedan Base price: $13,800 Base engine (hp): 1.5-litre DOHC 14 (108) Optional engine: None Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive Transmissions: Five-speed manual/fourspeed automatic (opt.) Fuel consumption (1/100 km, city/hwy): n/a Safety: Front airbags, ABS (opt.) Weight (kg): 950 Basic warranty: 3/60,000 9 SPRING SAVINGS AT Accredited Test 19 meineke MORE THAN JUST MUFFLERS 2000 Toyota Echo & Repair Facility SPECIAL F ro m * Pathfinder popular choice among SUVconverts (Continued from page D6) W m S MOST $ Z Q 9 5 CARS f -0 7 :: From' REAR DRUM S | Includes new shoes or pads, repack wheel bearings, resurface drums & rotors and inspect entire system. Metallic pads included. Must present coupon. Expires April 22/00. ' M AINTENANCE CHECK-UP" , Rotate tires . Check steering A a a p , C heck levels & lights S " l Q y j (up to 5 litres Quaker Slate 10W30), Check tune-up & belts^ 1· Check anti-freeze strength , Service battery ' Check cooling system E x p ir e s A p ril 22/00. terminals · Check brakes & adjust · Check exhayst for leaks · Change oil & filter TUNE-UP Includes new spark plugs, check aU tune-up components, set up & adjust engine, i service battery. 4 c y l- * 4 9 .9 5 6 c y l. * 6 9 .9 5 8 c y l. * 7 9 .9 5 lust present coupon at time of estimate. Expires April 22/00. Mu $ 49! < ^ 9 5 SOME VANS EXTRA MDFTLER SALE F ro m < 0 ' Fits many cars. Pipes, clamps & hangers extra. Expires April 22/00. T LDB£ OB.S nLTER W ewi: · Change your od (up to 5 Hres of 10W30 Oiaker State) & filter · Lubrcaie front end a i pressure al levels under hood - filters Must present coupon. $ Expires April 22/00. 1 A 9 5 | " arV 39 ^ 9 5 Installed With the 3.3-litre, the 2000 Pathfinder did 10.9 seconds while the 2001 model hits the mark in 8.0 sec onds with the five-speed, 8.8 seconds in the automatic. The five-speed is standard in the XE and SE trim level models. The four-speed automatic is standard on the LE. Manual shift XE and SE models have a shift-on-the-fly trans fer case that can be used up to 80 kmh. SE Pathfinders with automatic and the LE benefit from Nissan's computer-regulated All-Mode FourWheel-Drive. It senses road condi tions and automatically adjusts from two- to four-wheel traction. Fuel consumption ratings show the five-speed getting 14.7L/100 km (19.2 mpg) city, 11.8L/100 km (23.9 mpg) highway. The automatic returns 15.6L/100 km (18.1 mpg) city, 11.9L/100 km (23.8 mpg) highway. All Pathfinders have power assist ed brakes with ABS and the discs are vented at the front. All Pathfinders also have 16-inch wheels and tires and the wheels have different designs for each model. Styling is enhanced, but it stays true to the overall lines that have kept Pathfinder in the top import SUV slot. Besides model-specific grille designs and body-color bumpers, there has been a freshening of the nose and tailgate areas as well as the fitting of the latest multi-parabola headlight systems. Standard features are many including power windows, heated minors, clock, remote keyless entry and vehicle security system, rear cargo area cover and rear conve nience net Goodies as options include the Bose audio system with in-dash sixspeaker stereo while the LE driver's seat has position memory. Between the seats is a new, dual-level centre console with armrest and built-in 12volt power point. A lot of detail work has gone into the Pathfinder to make it feel like it belongs in the premium SUV seg ment. These include steering-wheel mounted audio controls, separate clock, and "one touch" up/down front windows. The XE and LE get white face gauges with black numbers, the SE has a special titanium face. Pathfinder was one of the first SUVs in my experience to not drive like a pickup truck hidden under a four-door body stuffed with leather and wood trim. Attractively priced, and wonderfully strong if you stick to the maintenance schedule, the hon esty of the Pathfinder is what keeps it selling so well. Prices start at $34,700 for the XE and $38,200 for the SE with fivespeed manual. Add the automatic and the SE is listed at $40,200 while the LE has a list price of $44,300. With CD, sunroof, and go any where All-Mode 4WD, the Pathfinder is a very civil place to be and that's regardless of the season or the conditions outside. And that's why, really, more and more people are getting converted to SUVs. And based on my test drive impression, and the ability of the Pathfinder, it's why Nissan continues to be the leader of the import sport trucks. $1 6f ] Wide appeal assured for versatile Ford Sport Trac (Continued from page D6) SAFETY CHECKS 95 MOST CARS & ON EXHAUST WORK I O ntaro Governm ent insertion Any work reowed tw saieiy check me v * * oi $150 · taxes patonned 1 tiy im locahon. stay check s no cO arge Mustraan I coupon at time of purchase Expires April 22/00. *29 NO TA X LIG H TTRU CK S Meineke will pay the taxes on most cars & light trucks. Warranty work excluded.. Expires April 22/00. Must present coupon at time ot estimate Not to be combined with any other coupon. Discount Mufflers O a k v ille 5 0 1 S p e e rs R d . U n i t # 2 y -v t to B u d d j. Im p o rte d Cara) 3 ^ 2 - 9 9 7 7 meinekei m a t Quality Undercar Specialists F R E E U n d e r c a r I n s p e c t io n & Es t im a t e N a t io n w id e L if e t im e G u a r a n t e e s O P IN M O N . - FRI. 8 A M -6 PM SATURDAY t A M -4 PM M U S T P R E S E N T C O U P O N F O R A L L S P E C IA L S N O T T O BE C O M B IN E D W IT H A N Y O T H E R O F FE R W A R R A N TY W O R K EXCLUD ED tion is at hand. Simply drop the tailgate and flip the optional alu minum cargo cage into place. In an instant, the Sport Trac's usable cargo space is increased by two feet. The cage can also be posi tioned inside the bed to create a separate and secure holding area for small stuff. Nowadays, truck designers are transforming these beasts into tougher and more macho-looking machines. The Sport Trac is no exception. From its blunt compos ite bumper and nosepiece, to its bulging flared fenders, this Ford off-roader gets the full testosterone treatment. The new Sport Trac sits atop a Ford Ranger SuperCab truck chas sis with a wheelbase that's 14inches longer than a regular fourdoor Explorer. This provides space to seat up to five passengers. In addition, the 60/40 split rear seat can be folded flat, creating secure cargo room inside the cabin. If you want your luggage inside, you'll have to give up some seating. Power comes courtesy of a 204horsepower 4.0-litre SOHC V6 engine that also sees duty in both two- and four-door Explorers as well as the Ranger pickup. The 4.0 is connected to a fivespeed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual shifter will be offered, but not until this fall. The Sport Trac arrives nicely turned out, including air condition ing, a roof rack, four-speaker audio system with CD player, power door locks, outside mirrors and power windows. A neat feature is the power window behind the rear seat that disappears into the back of the cab for easy access to the bed. Ford has also tried to equip the Sport Trac's interior to withstand the rigors of real-world living. For example, practical rubber floor mats are standard equipment. And you can order the front bucket seats with special water-resistant cloth coverings (leather is avail able as an option). The Sport Trac comes across as a practical, Swiss-Army-Knifekind of vehicle that will appeal to a wide variety of users. Whether it operates as a crew-cab-style pick up or a regular SUV with open-air, easy-access storage depends entirely on your needs at any given time. And that's exactly what a true crossover vehicle is all about. DURING OUR RED T A G SALE, IS I T T H E 2 OR T H E 8 THAT GETS YOUR ATTENTION IN T H E 2 . 8 % FI NANCI NG? A 2000 C O R O L L A VE $18,085 MSRP <<g) TOYOTA RED TAG SALES EVENT · Canada's best selling 4 door sedan* · 1.8 litre DOHC 125 hp engine · Automatic transmission · Air conditioning · AM/FM stereo w ith CD · Dual airbags · Full wheel covers · Body side mouldings ON NOW W h e r e can y o u f i n d y o u r f a v o u r i t e Toyota Dealer? S i m p l y vis it us at w w w .toyota.ca or call 1-888-TOYOTA-8 and ask f o r detail s. Or lease for $225 per month for 48 months with only $2,425 down O N T A R I O <$> T O Y O T A R E A L P E O P L E S E L L I N G DEALERS G R E A T C A R S c r e d It ] '-eas'n9 / financing plans from Toyota Credit Canada Inc. O.A.C.. Offers valid on new 2000 models leased and delivered by M ay 31, 2000. Licence, registration, insurance and taxes extra. Lease includes a m axim um of $775 fo r fre ig h t and m i · -i.t-m P.D.E., fre ig h t and P.D.E. not included in M.S.R.P.. Based on 48 mos. w alkaw ay lease at a rate of 5.8% Corolla VE (BR12EPB). Down paym ent of $2,425 or trade equivalent required. First paym ent and security deposit of $275 due on delivery. Total lease obligation of $13,225 and purchase option price of $8,499.95 based on a maximum of 96,000 KMS. Additional KM charge of $.07 if applicable. M.S.R.P. fo r (model BR12EPB] $18,085. Finance example: $20,000 financed a t 2.8% per annum equals $440.92 per m onth fo r 48 months. C.O.B. is $1,164.16 for an obligation to ta l of $21,164.16. 2.8% purchase financing available on 2000 Corolla and 2000 Tundra models. For more inform ation see participating Toyota D ealer fo r details. D ealer may lease /^sell for less. O ffers m aj^change w ith o u t notice. ` Based on AIAM C report Sept. '99. ^