[hal2000]

I have been lurking on diy electric car, endless sphere, and Jacks EV tv, for about 6 months trying to decide what direction to take in ditching the Gas.
Posibilities.
1. recumbent e assist faired trike. But The longer I looked at the narrow bike lanes in our city, and big cars that would be next to me, the more nervous I became. ( i like the quest tamdem)

2. Convert a light weight existing car to a moderate speed city car 50 mile range with 40 mph cruise. I am wary however as peoples desire for power, and range along with high doner weight, seem often to have a huge affect on end cost of conversion.

Many of the diy garage projects have plus 20,000 price tags (not counting labor and with no warranty or access to o.e.m. engineering motors, batteries and knowlage base.

I want to go diy for the experience, learning and knowlage/satifaction to be gained, but also as i can't afford a $30,000 leaf

Well all this handwringing and careful weighing of capacity vs cost is for nothing now as my friend told me of a cherry red MT 2000 honda insight with 200k, at the local used car lot, offered for $2,700 with a bad battery and grinding sincro in 2nd gear. It was unreasoning love at first sight! damn!! $2,300. out the door, NOW WHAT
HELP. I had planned to gut it and make it a pure electric but after reading this site where one person said that would be like gutting a fine swiss watch and making it into a sundile... I don't know what to do?? could i make it a plug in hybrid? or am i better trying to revive the battery that only shows one bar? The car is amazing as it sits now and averages 52 miles per gallon!
Thoughts anyone?