In a normal world you might be able to rebuild it. Unfortunately in this world where you can buy a lower mile, undamaged, clean title I-MiEV for $5k it just doesn't make sense. It's getting to the point that a flat tire will total a I-MiEV. That being said, if you were able to get it for next to nothing (which won't be the case) and had time to part it out, then there is money on the table. However, you could do the same thing with a running, driving I-MiEV. What really gets me is how worthless a used I-MiEV is in today's market. I hate to compare a I-MiEV to a golf cart but I am pretty sure the depreciation on a new golf cart would be far less. Having owned an I-MiEV and leased another, I might be willing to do it again if the $99 leases come back. However, for any BEV (even with the $7,500 Federal credit) buying isn't a smart choice.
