Cash for Clunkers

[pontooner]

Anyone thinking about taking advantage of this. I'm not into buying new vehicles but if I owned a vehicle that met the requirments I would seriously consider getting a new one with this program.

[DJD]

What is it? I have not heard of it.

[pontooner]

What is it? I have not heard of it.

Basically it's a effort to try and get people to trade in there lower mpg vehicles for more fuel efficient ones. You can get anywhere from $3500 to $4500 rebate if you meet the requirments and you can still get any incentives offered by car companies to sweeten the deal even more.

Here's a link with a lot of info.

http://www.cars.gov/

[Grumpy]

Absolutely rediculous that my tax dollars are going to help people buy new cars. I am not blaming anyone for taking advantage of this program but I firmly believe that it is another example of BIG GOVERNMENT getting involved in businesses where it doesn't belong.

That's my opinion.

Grumpy

[GeoFisher]

Absolutely rediculous that my tax dollars are going to help people buy new cars. I am not blaming anyone for taking advantage of this program but I firmly believe that it is another example of BIG GOVERNMENT getting involved in businesses where it doesn't belong.

That's my opinion.

Grumpy

I actually qualify with my Minivan......I have not decided if I will partake or not.

I actually think you can beat the 4500 bucks they are giving you with dealer incentives, and 0% financing.......

My sister, who is trying to use the clunkers deal said that once the dealership knows you're using the cash for clunkers program, THEY really try to make their money.......Another RACKET......

And I've never been a protectionist....but I think ANY vehicle purchased should be an AMERICAN MADE vehicle........NOTHING IMPORTED......

Later,

Geo

[pontooner]

I actually think you can beat the 4500 bucks they are giving you with dealer incentives, and 0% financing.......

Geo

From what I've read and heard you can get both the Cash for Clunkers discount and any dealer incentives being offered.

Here's a quote from the link I posted.

"Can I use this credit in combination with manufacturer’s rebates and discounts?

The CARS Act requires the dealer to use the credit under the CARS program in addition to any rebates or discounts advertised by the dealer or offered by the new vehicle's manufacturer. The dealer may not use the credit to offset these rebates and discounts."

[billm_usa1]

Revised list due to EPA calculation error of mpg.

These 78 cars removed from eligibility
http://content.usatoday.com/communit.../07/68495610/1

These 86 cars were added
http://content.usatoday.com/communit.../07/68495611/1

Just find it Ironic that my sons 1997 Chrysler LHS is NOT eleigable for this Program but my 2000 F-150 is if I replace it with a Chevrolet Cobalt. If I do I'm not sure how I'll pull the boat. I haven't checked the towing capacity of the Cobalt yet.

[MrSplitshot]

It only makes sense if you have a qualifying vehicle that is (a) paid for and (b) worth less than $4500 trade in value.

I wonder how many people with a qualifying old vehicle that's paid for and they have no car payment on now will use this $4500 to get into a vehicle that then yields them a car payment that they won't be able to afford?

The government plays this as an energy benefit, American's using less gas. Okay, maybe so. But in reality, the government is baiting American's into more debt, in an already weak economy, to help keep the Automakers alive...after having already bailed them out once!

[DJD]

If we keep buying less gas for more fuel efficient vehicles they will increase the gas tax! You can't win...

[Chubminnow]

I think ANY vehicle purchased should be an AMERICAN MADE vehicle........NOTHING IMPORTED......

Amen to that!! I agree 100%.

As far as the program is concerned, as long as parts are still available I've always been under the impression that it's "cheaper to keep her", instead of forking out money for interest on a loan, higher taxes, higher insurance rates, etc. And you know just because you get a newer vehicle doesn't mean you're not going to have repair bills, along WITH what is now a monthly payment.

Not enthused about this program, just my two cents worth, but I do think Hurricane had a great idea!

[know1]

My jeep is on the list, but I'm not into buying new cars.

Is $4500 really worth the hit you take in depreciation right off the bat? I don't think so. It probably needs to be more like $10K.

Besides, my "clunker" can do a lot more fun things like pull a boat, haul kayaks, etc., than most of those fuel efficient vehicles.

Plus the cost of gas isn't really all that bad right now.

[offdtop]

I also heard there is almost the same thing going on if you buy a 2 or 3 wheeled motorcycle but the rebate is $2500 to $3000