So, the Volt has a 16KWh battery.

Maybe I'm a simple thinking guy but.....

"16-kWh Lithium-ion, Rechargeable Energy Storage System, includes liquid thermal management system with active control "

Granted that Lithium-ion would be a bit lighter than lead acid, they also add all sorts of crap you don't need to the car just to get from point A to point B, so it weighs 3781 pounds

A 1984 Chevy Sprint weighs 1,367 pounds WITH ENGINE. That leaves you 2,414 pounds for batteries to have the same sort of "performance", not taking out the engine and water weight. But the electric motor does weigh something so it may just even out.

Lead acid batteries at walmart would be 12 pcs of 12V at 110 AH, at $85 each including core charge = $1,020

12 X 110Ah = 1320Ah = (12V X 1320) = 15,840 Wh = 15.8 KWh

The electric motor in the Chevy Volt is 150 hp, 273 lb-ft of torque so you want something near that.

So there you are. You have a Chevy Volt for less than $3000, depending on how cheap you can get one with a blown engine and what kind of a deal you can get on an electric motor.

http://www.ehow.com/about_6502323_chevy-sprint.html