You can drive an Insight indefinitely with a pack that's throwing codes, provided you're OK with ~65 hp and extra-tall gearing. (Sounds like you're not!

)
Also, some packs can be "revived" with time & patience (
I've done it), and put on indefinite life support with a DIY grid charger.
I've also seen gen. 1 Insights for under $1500. (Though none recently.)