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(NEVer) Pimp My Ride: $25k Custom Electric ‘Car’ Fails To Sell

 
1,826 views May 10, 2011
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"Pimped" 2002 Lido Runabout

"Pimped" 2002 Lido Runabout as featured on eBay. (Screengrab)

"Pimped" 2002 Lido Runabout as featured on eBay. (Screengrab)

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What can $25,000 buy you?  If you’re in the market for a new electric car it’s unlikely to get you much, although we’ve pointed out before those who live in just the right state and have just the right job can pay just $12,280 for a 2011 Nissan Leaf or purchase a 2011 Think City for just $17,9995. 

Given just how much electric car you can theoretically buy with $25,000 we’re hardly surprised a rather unique low-speed electric car in southern California didn’t sell. 

On the face of it, the eBay description read like something any custom car fan would have been proud of. Kitted out with a claimed $75,000 of extra parts, the 2002 Lido Runabout featured a custom paint job complete with hot-rod racing flames, bespoke interior and even a full hydraulic system to get it hopping to the stereo system. 

But sadly, there’s only so much pimping you can do to a neighborhood electric car, especially one where such luxuries as doors are an considered a snap-on optional extra. 

In fact, we’re completely baffled why anyone would spend that much money pimping what is in essence a glorified golf-cart, with a range of only 40 miles per charge and a top speed of 25 mph.

At a ‘buy it now’ price of $25,000 the Lido Runabout failed to get the attention of wealthy, golfing rap-star buyers. It even failed to get anyone interested enough to stump up the $18,000 opening bid. 

At least the auction has proved one thing. Neighborhood electric vehicles cannot be made more desirable with a fancy paint job, alloy wheels and lowered suspension. 

It did give us an idea. Just which electric cars would you customize? How would you do it? 

Let us know in the Comments below, preferably complete with pictures. 

[eBay via EarthTechling.com]



HI-RES GALLERY: "Pimped" 2002 Lido Runabout




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Comments (3)

  1. By reinCARnate Posted: 5/10/2011 9:13am PDT

    NEVs will not be attractive for everyday people until they raise the state-mandated speed limitation from 25mph to 45mph. You can't use these safely(and legally) on the streets. So, I think it's a red herring to look at any other aspects. But, that said, $25,000 for an NEV sounds crazy high.
    Oddly, I believe people can build a kit car that is legal for freeway use, so long as you pass the CHP roadworthiness inspection. So, maybe people would rather build or have someone build a custom EV rather than buy an "NEV."
     
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  2. By  Gav Posted: 5/10/2011 12:50pm PDT

    If only Liberace as alive - you'd certainly have a bidder.
     
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  3. By Greg Posted: 5/11/2011 9:00am PDT

    One can buy a used 2004 Prius for $9k, add an Enginer plug-in lithium battery pack for $2.5k (EAA member price)and add a 350 watt roof and hood solar cell racing stripes for $1k (home made).
    You'd then have an all-electric 20 mile range (or 50 miles at 100+ mpg)and solar re-charger for the lithium pack, all for about half the price of the painted up golf cart.
    Enginer: http://www.enginer.us/technologies/
    Example of solar roof: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/solar_hybrid_ca.php
     
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