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Cash for Clunkers - Good or Bad Idea?

4110 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:42 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Legislation, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV

For questions about how the program works or to discuss program details, please visit our discussion titled, "Cash for Clunkers - Does it Work for You?"


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#1344 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [Mr_Shiftright] by tazzi
Jul 01, 2009 (4:15 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 01, 2009 2:24 pm)

Well, there really isn't such a thing as trickle down welfare or a free lunch, unless you don't pay taxes to begin with. If you pay taxes, you are paying for whatever government program you may or may not take part in. So, it would be more of a tax rebate than welfare
 
At least that is how I am looking at the C4C program. I'm hoping to take advantage of it in September and since my taxes are going to pay for it one way or another, I figure I'm just getting some of my money back.
#1345 of 4110
Re: what effect will this have on used market? [kathyc2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jul 01, 2009 (4:20 pm)
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Replying to: kathyc2 (Jul 01, 2009 2:39 pm)

No I hope you don't have to pay more than necessary--LOL! What I meant was that relying on a price guide is fraught with peril, and one uptick in one "book" does not constitute a trend. If you REALLY want to know what's going on vis a vis "trends", you'd have to find a friend at a dealership who can plug into the Manheim auction database, which tracks what dealers are paying, week to week, for various used cars at auctions. If you saw a few months up uptick through Manheim, then you have something "real". I think the used car market pretty much sucks right now.
#1346 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [kernick] by dtownfb
Jul 01, 2009 (5:10 pm)
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Replying to: kernick (Jul 01, 2009 11:17 am)

"First tell me how many people take these trains each day. Then tell me how many of these people could have stayed in their office, and had a video conference. Third - tell me that as a society we couldn't do a better job of distributing our commuting time. Maybe the problem is too many people need to use the roads for a few hours of the 24 hr/day hmm?"
 
I can attest that most of these trains are packed. This train goes through DC, baltimore, Philadelphia, northern NJ and into NYC. Major cities. Sometimes you need to physically be at a location. My job cannot be done by video conferencing.
 
Some professions can adjust their schedules and to some extent this already happens. Many retailers don't start until 10. Hospitals vary their shifts. Its not a bad idea but not sure hwo feasible it is.
 
If you feel those international cities are better off than living in any city in the US (minus Detroit) simply because they don't have mass transit, have fun living there. I live 32 miles from work. Driving is the only way I can get to work. I liek th idea of a Star Trek transporter though.
#1347 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [kernick] by fintail
Jul 01, 2009 (5:53 pm)
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Replying to: kernick (Jul 01, 2009 11:17 am)

The largest and densest first world cities do have some kind of transit infrastructure. The globalists want to dumb the first world down and away from this - but it's much easier and more pleasant to get around (and live) in a place with easy and plentiful transportation options...its a quality of life issue. I'd rather live in London/Paris/Berlin/Rome etc than their Chinese or Indian counterparts.
#1348 of 4110
Re: what effect will this have on used market? [kathyc2] by isellhondas
Jul 01, 2009 (6:04 pm)
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Replying to: kathyc2 (Jul 01, 2009 2:10 pm)

It's easy to give you a 300.00 over invoice price and an unrealistic trade in value when they don't have a car to sell you!
 
Seriously, if they will give you the money you think that Torrent is worth and still sell you a Vibe at 300 over, I wouldn't be picky. I would grab ANY Vibe and run like a thief in the night!
 
I'm very serious because something sounds wrong!
#1349 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [fintail] by chetj
Jul 01, 2009 (7:00 pm)
Reply

Replying to: fintail (Jul 01, 2009 5:53 pm)

i think the program is a very good idea, it should help car sales..i just bought a ohio built G5 and i am very impressed with it has a very smooth ride and the new electronic power steering is great...comes with hands free phone and xm radio too...i hope people consider domestics, the prices are very good and so are the cars...at least look where the car is assembled, we really need to keep jobs in USA..i work at a supplier i should know
#1350 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [chetj] by chetj
Jul 01, 2009 (7:01 pm)
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Replying to: chetj (Jul 01, 2009 7:00 pm)

the G5 and G6 have big rebates now too
#1351 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [steve_] by chetj
Jul 01, 2009 (7:12 pm)
Reply

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 30, 2009 6:14 am)

well that will help japans economy selling the prius...i know they dont assemble them here
#1352 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [gagrice] by hpmctorque
Jul 02, 2009 (2:48 am)
Reply

Replying to: gagrice (Jul 01, 2009 1:52 pm)

"We are not old enough to have EVER experienced unregulated capitalism. I am not sure that any country has ever tried it."
 
This is very true. The real question is how much regulation and subsidies do we favor? What percentage of our output of goods an services should be allocated to (federal, state and local) governments? Reasonable, intelligent people will differ on the answers to these questions, depending on how much faith, or concern, they have about government and free markets. However, let's all be clear on one thing, and that is there are important tradeoffs for various mixes of government and free market activities. Make no mistake about that. European countries have tended to favor more government involvement in their economies than the U.S. (until recently, at least). As a result, they tend to have more even income distributions, with fewer extremes. One significant tradeoff, however, is that we've traditionally enjoyed a lower unemployment rate, and less structural unemployment. Also, our young people (again, at least until recently, but maybe now too) have found it easier to find employment and to pursue their economic dreams than their European counterparts. Compare the innovation in the U.S. and Europe. Many Americans say the European system is better, but I've met many Europeans who envy what we have. There's probably some "the grass is always greener on the other side" effect here.
 
As I've mentioned several times, I favored the rescue of our financial system, because of the devastation that a financial meltdown would have caused, but I have serious reservations about whether the aid given to GM and Chrysler will be worthwhile in the long run. I tend to doubt it, but will try to keep an open mind until we find out whether these two companies survive, and the cost of saving them is tallied. I tend to think that Chapter 11 or 7 would have been preferable. Other companies would have purchased the assets of these companies that are worth saving. For example, someone would have purchased the Corvette brand, and maybe Chevy, Cadillac and Jeep, if not the others. The number of vehicles sold in the U.S. would not have been materially affected. I'm also not convinced that pouring tens of billions into GM and Chrysler will result in a net reduction in unemployment in the end.
 
Proponents of the bailouts will cite the surge in unemployment that bankruptcies would have caused, and quickly accuse those who favored bankruptcy for GM and Chrysler, and some suppliers, as lacking compassion. It remains to be seem just how compassionate the rescue of GM and Chrysler will turn out to be. It's too early to say whether the jobs saved will, in the end, not be more than offset by the effects associated with the increases in the deficit.
 
Proponents and opponents of more versus less government frequently accuse those that disagree with them of not "getting it." How often have you heard some variation of "conservatives just don't get it...," or liberals just don't get it...." I think it's more a case of people with reasonable intelligence and judgment reaching different conclusions because their priorities differ.
#1353 of 4110
Re: question regarding this program. [hpmctorque] by stephen987
Jul 02, 2009 (3:12 am)
Reply

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 02, 2009 2:48 am)

That's a very well thought out post, hp.

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