If you are in the market for a new-to-you vehicle, you have probably noticed that many of the newer cars have great gas mileage and state-of-the-art emissions systems that make them better for the environment. But, if your budget doesn’t allow you to buy a new car, there are plenty of pre-owned options that are also eco-friendly. If you’re not sure where to start looking, consider the following four options:
2004 Toyota Prius
Kelley Blue Book includes the 2004 Toyota Prius on its list of the 10 best pre-owned cars that are under $8,000. The Prius is known for its hybrid technology and gas mileage, and the 2004 model gets an average of 46 miles per gallon in the city and highway. In addition, Toyota is famous for its reliability, which means even an older model probably has plenty of miles left on it. As a bonus, the Prius is surprisingly roomy and has a handy hatchback that allows you to load your groceries with ease.
2007 Mazda3
This compact and attractive car offers great value for your money, and its 148-horsepower engine doesn’t use up a lot of gas to get you from point A to point B. The vehicle gets 24/32 miles per gallon in the city and highway, and the pre-owned models are affordable, practical and reliable. Furthermore, Car and Driver states that the Mazda3 proves that environmentally-friendly cars don’t have to be dull to look at.
2010 Honda Civic Hybrid
Although Honda continues to put out new generations of its Civic Hybrid cars, you don’t have to buy the latest and greatest version to get the eco-friendly features. The 2010 model boasts an average of 41 miles per gallon, and the car comes with amenities, such as automatic climate control and a six-speaker stereo. The 2010 model, which you can typically find for around $11 or $12 thousand, also includes plenty of safety features, including electronic stability control and standard traction control. Many fans also like the consistent body design.
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
While you might understandably think that SUV and eco-friendly are a contradicting terms, there are some larger vehicles that are reasonably green in their gas mileage. For example, the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, which averages around $18,000, gets up to 21 miles per gallon. It is not as readily available as other pre-owned hybrids, but if you need the size and convenience of an SUV, it’s worth looking around to see if you can find one.
No matter what type of eco-friendly vehicle you are thinking about buying, you should spend a bit of time researching online to determine if it’s currently available at your preferred dealership. For example, DriveTime has a search option that allows you to check if a particular car is on the lot. DriveTime also has a 5-Day, No Questions Asked return policy, which gives you plenty of time to learn if a pre-owned, eco-friendly vehicle is right for you.r
This content provided by Social Monsters. Feature image courtesy of Kent Kanouse