Cash for Clunkers

[Tom Kirkham]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/h...s-legislation/

[cobra de capell]

The legislation, which still must be passed by the Senate, faces hurdles, including questions about where to find the money for the one-year, $4 billion program. Some lawmakers have suggested the money could come from the economic- stimulus package passed earlier this year.

Just think of the rammifications.

First, imagine all the collectible cars that would normally be restored that will be destroyed. I know personally that Jeep fans are totally against this.

Second, imagine what all this scrapped material (rubber, plastic, metal) will do to scrap prices for recyclers....it will depress prices, reduce profits and drive some out of business.

Third, before these cars can be recycled, the fluids must be drained from them....who is going to do that and what will it cost? If you REALLY want to recycle them, the plastics, glass, and different alloys of metal must be segregated....who is going to do that?


So, all of a sudden, every running, $500, sub-19 MPG piece of crap (e.g. my neighbor’s rusted-out, worn-out ‘84 Chevy pickup) is worth $3500-$4500, and us present and future taxpayers are stuck with yet another bill.

Whatta country.

[joyridin']

Good deal. Since it is a "voluntary" program, let it go forward. Sure beats giving the car companies money.

[cobra bill]

There aren't as many old cars 1984+ that are under 18mpg combined as you might think... that number was obviously chosen with care, because lots of models just nudge the limbo bar

[Ronbo]

I don't think the owners will go for it, they've got more than that just in white side-walls, lepord skin upolstery, and dingle balls...

[Dan40]

This reminds me of an image I have of 'hybrid' cars. Going in, they say the battery pack WILL have to be replaced after a X period of time/use. 5 to 10 years. The replacement cost of that battery pack is TODAY estimated at $4000 to $7000. So a few years down the road if one contemplates a used hybrid, say 8 years old with the factory batts. they can figure on a $4 to $7000 expense soon. Except that by then the cost of replacement will be $20,000 to $25,000. Same as the cash for clunkers, it is a plan to eliminate the competition from used cars. Drive the new car, when its done, scrap it.

[427sharpe]

Originally Posted by Ronbo

I don't think the owners will go for it, they've got more than that just in white side-walls, lepord skin upolstery, and dingle balls...

Ronbo! You're killin' me, man! Living in a 'latin zone'. I can tell you it's DINGO balls

the '84 Olds Gutless Supreme in lime green, switches on all four corners and velvet interior...no loss

And I would add ANY car with a Virgin Mary carpet instead of a headliner, or any 3000 lb. plus vehicle on 13" tires with or w/o Daytons!

[Ronbo]

Yea I know, the 'Ricans in Lorain (OH) I knew would get PO'd when they found out what dingle balls actually were..

Never really understood the magic of the 63~64 Impalas either, I always thought the 59~62's looked cooler. (cooler?)

I have to disagree about the old bugs, easy to drive while stoned, didn't make much of a dent in the beer funds, take the engine cover off and no one will tailgate you. (first you see the wipers come on then the car pulls over to clean off the windshield) Interior always had that "old German car stink" (still don't know what the hell that was) Nothing on the car cost more than $100 to fix, except of course the heater, which no amount of money would ever get to work.

The VW and Ramen noodles were the staples that poor young people needed to avoid living with Mom and Dad until about 30.

[SPF2245]

Living in the rustbelt, I'd love nothing more then to get some of these hunks of detroit crap off the roadway. CA could do with a few less VWs (sorry Bug owners, but I hate your cars...and Volvos from the 70's and 80's rate a little lower) I doubt it would cause the collector car market too much grief...very few are going to crush the 'rods. Now, the '84 Olds Gutless Supreme in lime green, switches on all four corners and velvet interior...no loss.

[mdmull]

OK - answer me this.
This only works if you buy a new car or truck. So how many people have a running, registered for the past year, less than 18 mpg, vehicle that are going to buy a NEW 28mpg car? keep in mind the trade-in has to be junked, and the money only goes to the new car dealer.
How do they verify the past year of registration? I'd add my 1994 suburban to my SRX trade-in for a new CTS if they'd let me.

[bomelia]

I liked the old "bug". Only car I ever knew of that you could press the pedal all the way down, hold it there forever, and never blow the engine.

Mike

[427sharpe]

I have an old '94 2.3l Ranger as a shop truck....

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by mdmull

OK - answer me this.
This only works if you buy a new car or truck. So how many people have a running, registered for the past year, less than 18 mpg, vehicle that are going to buy a NEW 28mpg car? keep in mind the trade-in has to be junked, and the money only goes to the new car dealer.
How do they verify the past year of registration? I'd add my 1994 suburban to my SRX trade-in for a new CTS if they'd let me.

I have a 1990 miata and a 1983 dodge truck. I would rather get rid of the miata (I hate the car but the wife likes it) but if they are willing to give me 4k for my truck I might just take it. Both vehicles get driven less than 200 miles a year, and we are going to buy a new car this year.