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?"

Outline

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#1361 of 4110 Re: question regarding this program. [gagrice] by steve_ HOST Jul 02, 2009 (8:21 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Jul 02, 2009 4:57 am) I about decided that home ownership is over-rated and that the mortgage incentive should be done away with. Let me get a Clunker voucher first though. The Clunker Bump is estimated to be 5%, at least in NJ: N.J. car sales could rise 5 percent under 'cash-for-clunkers' program (NJ.com) And the date has been set: Cash for Clunkers Kickoff Slated for July 23 (Edmunds Daily) "Although the CARS bill initially stated that vehicle purchases made after July 1 would be eligible for a credit, NHTSA is recommending that both dealers and consumers wait until the July 23 rollout date, when all the CARS resources have been put in place."
#1362 of 4110 Re: question regarding this program. [kernick] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jul 02, 2009 (9:20 am)
Replying to: kernick (Jul 02, 2009 8:13 am) Well do it this way. Figure out how many people a day ride those trains, then figure (liberally) that there are at most 2 people to a car on the highway, then add that number of cars to peak hours traffic flow (that is, cars per hour at peak commuter time). Another factor is that in terms of Fuel Used Per Person, nothing on earth beats a train for efficiency as a people mover. Unfortunately, since America junked most of its intercity and intracity rail networks nationwide, it is now prohibitively expensive (if not impossible due to land costs) to replace them. so yeah, C4C is a good idea to stimulate car sales, but as a "green" idea, it's pretty much a dead end.
#1363 of 4110 Re: question regarding this program. [kernick] by fintail Jul 02, 2009 (9:35 am)
Replying to: kernick (Jul 02, 2009 8:00 am) I've traveled my fair share , and the problems in those areas are less than the societal and environmental injustice seen in the beneficiaries of globalization - the founders of which are who have also encouraged the demographic difficulties in more developed regions. You must be drinking from the von Mises/Hayek Kool-Aid. Our unemployment numbers are also white lies at best, deceptions in reality. Efficient mass transit in densely populated areas is a quality of life benefit, and a sign of true development. I predict C4C will have a negligible effect on the automotive market in general. There's more hype to it than anything - so many exclusions, and no endless amounts of consumers who can afford a new car right now. Replies to this message: dtownfb (Jul 02, 2009 5:25 pm) mkunze (Jul 03, 2009 2:07 pm) 100chuck (Jul 03, 2009 2:27 pm)
#1365 of 4110 Re: what effect will this have on used market? [isellhondas] by kathyc2 Jul 02, 2009 (10:08 am)
Replying to: isellhondas (Jul 01, 2009 6:04 pm) Nope, that was the real deal. Just got back from buying a 2010. $125 over invoice, I keep dealer 500 rebate and 12,250 for the Torrent. Also, no doc fees at this dealer, plus managed to work 3 free oil changes in the deal.
#1366 of 4110 Re: question regarding this program. [andre1969] by hpmctorque Jul 02, 2009 (12:04 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Jul 02, 2009 8:06 am) Bus travel between Washington and New York has been increasing rapidly. You can travel by bus between these two cities for ~$40-$45 round trip, which is much, much lower than by rail or air. Consequently, more and more people are riding the bus. Several bus companies compete on this route, and they're all privately owned.
#1367 of 4110 Re: question regarding this program. [kernick] by dtownfb Jul 02, 2009 (5:16 pm)
Replying to: kernick (Jul 02, 2009 7:52 am) Sorry can't help you. I got this thing to do over there next to the doo hickey and the thingamabob.
#1368 of 4110 Re: question regarding this program. [fintail] by dtownfb Jul 02, 2009 (5:25 pm)
Replying to: fintail (Jul 02, 2009 9:35 am) I predict C4C will have a negligible effect on the automotive market in general. There's more hype to it than anything - so many exclusions, and no endless amounts of consumers who can afford a new car right now. I think this bill may have some unintended benefits if the car manufacturers take advantage of more people looking at cars simply to see if their car qualifies. July-October is "normally" when manufacturers are trying to clear the current year models to prepare for the new model year in October. Also the time when you see more rebates and incentives. It may be possible for a consumer to get $4500 C4C voucher and $2k-$3k rebate. $6500 off a new car (not including the discounted price) might entice some clunker drivers. Replies to this message: mkunze (Jul 03, 2009 2:07 pm) 100chuck (Jul 03, 2009 2:27 pm)
#1369 of 4110 What happens to dealers that jump the gun? by gagrice Jul 02, 2009 (7:33 pm)
Suppose a dealer takes a clunker in trade on a Prius at $4500. Then on July 23rd the actual rules come out from the NHTSA, saying only vehicles built in the USA. Will the dealers that got in a big hurry just have to bite the bullet. Or say they are not approved for one reason or another. There is NOTHING straight forward with our Government. The Congress handed over the authority to the NHTSA to administer. A dealer would be crazy to write a contract until then. The bill only gives mileage parameters. It would seem to stimulate the domestic auto industry the sales should be limited to vehicles at least assembled in the USA. Why send the money to Japan, Korea, Canada or Mexico? Website says: Program Being Developed Target for Program Implementation Late July, 2009 http://www.cars.gov/index.php/rollout Replies to this message: steve_ (Jul 02, 2009 9:58 pm) joegiant (Jul 03, 2009 3:43 am) 100chuck (Jul 03, 2009 3:54 am) gagrice (Jul 03, 2009 5:21 am) kathyc2 (Jul 03, 2009 6:13 am) kdhspyder (Jul 03, 2009 3:43 pm) and 1 more... ldisler (Jul 03, 2009 5:51 am) jeffyscott (Jul 03, 2009 6:09 am) gagrice (Jul 03, 2009 6:19 am) jeffyscott (Jul 03, 2009 6:19 am)
#1370 of 4110 Re: What happens to dealers that jump the gun? [gagrice] by steve_ HOST Jul 02, 2009 (9:58 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Jul 02, 2009 7:33 pm) Hyundai is pretty smart with their marketing these days. The "no car payments if you get laid off" promotion was great PR and the locked in $1.49 gas special announced a few days ago isn't too shabby. For Cash for Clunkers they are going to advance their dealers money to cover the voucher payments until the feds catch up. Hyundai advances cash to car dealers for 'clunkers' program (LA Times) Oh, cars.gov already says foreign cars are ok to purchase. Replies to this message: joegiant (Jul 03, 2009 3:43 am) 100chuck (Jul 03, 2009 3:54 am) gagrice (Jul 03, 2009 5:21 am) kathyc2 (Jul 03, 2009 6:13 am) kdhspyder (Jul 03, 2009 3:43 pm) gagrice (Jul 03, 2009 3:52 pm)