Automakers continually tweak their car lineups to keep pace with changing tastes. Over time, models are released, updated or retired. A lot of great vehicles fall by the wayside, and get discontinued—not because they fail to meet a need, but because they don’t fit the current vision of their makers.
The used market is a great place to find a broad selection of recently discontinued or revamped models at a fraction of their original price. Here are five of the coolest fuel-efficient vehicles you’re likely to see on eBay motors.
Tesla Roadster (shown above)
The car that started it all for Tesla was manufactured between 2008 and 2012, notching roughly 2,400 sales in the United States before being discontinued. With the success of the bigger and more capable Model S, the future has never looked brighter for Tesla. But it also means that the screaming fast electric Roadster could represent a chance to own a limited-run piece of automotive history. At any given time there are usually a handful of Roadsters to be had at eBay Motors, many of which are in excellent condition with low mileage on their odometers. And all of them are zero emissions.
The car that started it all for Tesla was manufactured between 2008 and 2012, notching roughly 2,400 sales in the United States before being discontinued. With the success of the bigger and more capable Model S, the future has never looked brighter for Tesla. But it also means that the screaming fast electric Roadster could represent a chance to own a limited-run piece of automotive history. At any given time there are usually a handful of Roadsters to be had at eBay Motors, many of which are in excellent condition with low mileage on their odometers. And all of them are zero emissions.
Original Honda Insight
In December 1999, Honda brought the Insight to the United States, where it became first hybrid vehicle to hit the market. The EPA rated it at 70 mpg on the highway and 61 mpg in the city (though these ratings have since been adjusted down.) The two-seat Insight failed to establish much of a foothold with consumers despite its low price and superior fuel economy and was dropped in 2007—only to be reborn as a far more conventional five-seater in 2009. Most of the Insights you’ll see on eBay Motors are of the second generation, post-2009 variety, but there are always a few of the distinctive, higher-MPG originals around if you don’t mind trading passenger seating for stellar gas mileage and an iconic design.
In December 1999, Honda brought the Insight to the United States, where it became first hybrid vehicle to hit the market. The EPA rated it at 70 mpg on the highway and 61 mpg in the city (though these ratings have since been adjusted down.) The two-seat Insight failed to establish much of a foothold with consumers despite its low price and superior fuel economy and was dropped in 2007—only to be reborn as a far more conventional five-seater in 2009. Most of the Insights you’ll see on eBay Motors are of the second generation, post-2009 variety, but there are always a few of the distinctive, higher-MPG originals around if you don’t mind trading passenger seating for stellar gas mileage and an iconic design.
Honda Civic GX
Despite a major push on the part of some advocates to bring compressed natural gas (CNG) into prominence as a transportation fuel, only one carmaker has stepped forward with a mainstream CNG-fueled consumer vehicle. Honda has sold its Civic GX limited markets since 1998, before recently bringing the car to all 50 states. If you have access to CNG refueling stations in your area (or are willing to spring for one at home) some used, low-mileage Civic GXs can be found for less than $10,000.
Despite a major push on the part of some advocates to bring compressed natural gas (CNG) into prominence as a transportation fuel, only one carmaker has stepped forward with a mainstream CNG-fueled consumer vehicle. Honda has sold its Civic GX limited markets since 1998, before recently bringing the car to all 50 states. If you have access to CNG refueling stations in your area (or are willing to spring for one at home) some used, low-mileage Civic GXs can be found for less than $10,000.
Original RAV4 EV
Before the rebirth of plug-in vehicles in the United States in 2010, the Toyota RAV4 EV was one of the first electric vehicles sold to consumers. Built on the same platform as the standard RAV4, this small SUV sold in the U.S. from 1997 – 2003, with nearly 1,500 units having originally been leased or sold. Today, roughly a third of those vehicles are thought to still be on the road. The RAV4 EV’s nickel-metal hydride battery pack provided an impressive capacity for its time, and the SUV still has a legion of devoted fans and owners. In 2012, Toyota brought back the model—only this time with more power and a larger, lithium ion battery pack designed by Tesla Motors.
Before the rebirth of plug-in vehicles in the United States in 2010, the Toyota RAV4 EV was one of the first electric vehicles sold to consumers. Built on the same platform as the standard RAV4, this small SUV sold in the U.S. from 1997 – 2003, with nearly 1,500 units having originally been leased or sold. Today, roughly a third of those vehicles are thought to still be on the road. The RAV4 EV’s nickel-metal hydride battery pack provided an impressive capacity for its time, and the SUV still has a legion of devoted fans and owners. In 2012, Toyota brought back the model—only this time with more power and a larger, lithium ion battery pack designed by Tesla Motors.
Ford Escape Hybrid
Ford built more than 120,000 Escape hybrids from 2004 – 2012, and produced the SUV domestically, making it the best-selling American-built hybrid ever. The Escape surpassed a number of competing SUVs in cargo and passenger space while providing combined fuel economy of 32 mpg in its 2012 edition. Today, there are other more efficient hybrid SUVs on the market—but none that compete with the combo of high-mpg and compelling price of a used Escape hybrid.
Ford built more than 120,000 Escape hybrids from 2004 – 2012, and produced the SUV domestically, making it the best-selling American-built hybrid ever. The Escape surpassed a number of competing SUVs in cargo and passenger space while providing combined fuel economy of 32 mpg in its 2012 edition. Today, there are other more efficient hybrid SUVs on the market—but none that compete with the combo of high-mpg and compelling price of a used Escape hybrid.
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