Cash For Clunkers

[markjohnson]

I gotta agree that I really don't like this Cash For Clunkers idea at all but I simply CANNOT BELIEVE that they didn't limit it only to American car companies. It's hard to believe this is the same government that provided the bail-out money and they just had a phenomenal opportunity here to boost American-made sales by a significant amount. I would have really supported the program then, and I might have even bought a car myself. Man, they really dropped the ball on this one and missed giving the American Automakers a MUCH-NEEDED jolt!

[Supergas990]

This kind of reminds me of the guns for shoes deals that were so popular for so many years.

You saw more classic and collectible firearms junked for a pair of hightops than you can shake a stick at.

What does the industry do for the next 5-10 years until all these new cars are clunkers? You can't force or evenly strongly encourage a false economy without going broke...

blair

[P.J.]

right, the one billion doooooolars was gone in one week!!!
and they now have made another 2 billion more. Wow glad im not paying the taxes.
PJ

[njsteve]

Just to bust their ballz I responded to one of the dozen (at last count) emails my local dealer keeps sending me begging me to buy a new car and trade in my "clunker". So after telling them I had a 1970 Dodge with a big gas guzzling engine that said "426 Himee on the top of the motor", here was his response"

"Unfortunately the vehicle must be less than 25 years old to qualify, however I suspect that if that car runs it is worth more than $4500."


Do I hear $4600 anyone?

[bwag]

The dealers around here aren't "blowing up" the engines . Some are draining the oil then adding a gallon of sodium silicate(water glass)then starting up the car and driving to the back lot where the engine soon ties up .Not as impressive to watch.

[JChlupsa]

Chrysler dealership here was matching the $4500 to make it a $9K total for someone to turn in their older car for a new one.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Just remember, the government can't give anything to anyone (including car rebates) unless they first take it from someone else.

The only problem with socialism is, that eventually the government runs out of somebody else's money.

[jbsides]

Jim Ferron,

I drive A LOT and put 50,000 miles a year on the used cars I buy, and if I knew a member of this board was a used unit dealer like you anywhere near me, I would buy from him without hesitation! I try to get cars with 30 - 50K on them that are at least several years old, as it makes no sense to me to suffer the immediate and subsequent depreciation you experience just driving them off the lot, I don't care what kind of deal you got. I have been through 5 of them in the last 6 years and doubt I will ever buy new again, and guys like me are out there, so keep the faith!

JB

[Tommy]

I'm waiting for the first story to come out that some woman turns her soon to be ex's Z06 in for a hybrid and documents and films the cars demise.. From the liquid glass to the dismantling.

I just left the recycling yard again and they did tell me also that they are using the liquid glass method to sieze the engines. Definately not going to be as fun to watch...


Tommy

[SmallHurst]

Expect to see my old clunker truck pullin' the trailer this fall. I guess that it actually is too old now as it was built in 12/1983. And to replace that vehicle and buy new---$$$$$$$$ but I would have to keep it under $44k. Good luck! Besides, a new truck may look pretty, but that 460 has some NADS!!!!