Cash for Clunkers - Good or Bad Idea?

4051 messages, Last post on Nov 07, 2009 at 7:12 PM

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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

Messages Page 139 of 405: 1; ...; 136; 137; 138; 139; 140; 141; 142; ...; 405; Prev; Next; Last

#1381 of 4051 Re: What happens to dealers that jump the gun? [gagrice] by kdhspyder Jul 03, 2009 (3:43 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Jul 03, 2009 5:21 am) What's this 'roll the dice'. There's little or no risk for a prudent businessman/woman. The rules aren't fixed yet so there's no reason to jump the gun and do anything. The new vehicles will still be there on July 23rd and the old clunkers will still be there on July 23rd and that's only 3 weeks away. Why rush? Not much is going to change in 3 weeks. Those that are smart will just plan to finalize everything on or after July 23rd. As I've noted I have 3 or now maybe 4 potential buyers that want to take advantage of the program but I've just told them 'As soon as the rules are known, then we can complete everything. Not sooner.' You're looking for ways to game the system or to find pitfalls for the unsuspecting. There are none for the prudent. Replies to this message: gagrice (Jul 03, 2009 3:52 pm)
#1382 of 4051 Re: What happens to dealers that jump the gun? [kdhspyder] by gagrice Jul 03, 2009 (3:52 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Jul 03, 2009 3:43 pm) The rules aren't fixed yet so there's no reason to jump the gun and do anything. I think that is what I said also. Anyone selling a vehicle hoping to get it all right are taking a chance. That is why the reference to rolling the dice hoping you win. In the case of Hyundai dealers the manufacturer is taking the risk.
#1383 of 4051 This is an outrageous program ... by koshti Jul 03, 2009 (8:08 pm)
This is like rewarding a cookie to a kid for bad behavior !! Hey kiddo... you messed up .... great ... here's a cookie... go & mess up more. Why incentivise someone for making a bad decision of buying a gass guzzler when rest of the country pays for it. I don't understand the logic. The government should simply give incentives for good behaviour. The higher the mileage of the car, higher is the rebate. And this should be open to anyone who wants to buy a new car. For those who have been wise & conservative to buy a fuel efficient cars until now - here's my advise. The government pays for bad behavior, so go ahead & buy gas guzzlers instead. Its a great incentive to be bad. Replies to this message: steve_ (Jul 03, 2009 8:36 pm) gagrice (Jul 04, 2009 5:11 am) elroy5 (Jul 04, 2009 5:30 am) maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 6:09 am) kdhspyder (Jul 04, 2009 7:05 am) and 12 more... steve_ (Jul 04, 2009 7:49 am) and 10 more...
#1384 of 4051 Re: This is an outrageous program ... [koshti] by steve_ HOST Jul 03, 2009 (8:36 pm)
Replying to: koshti (Jul 03, 2009 8:08 pm) Well, my minivan officially gets 18 combined although after 10 years and 133,000 miles, I'm getting around 21 mpg combined. We moved 3,000 miles using it and did a year long road trip in it, hauling all our camping gear and toys. It's served us well, but now it's about time to retire it and downsize a bit. An extra few miles to the gallon will be nice too. So we're clunker shopping. There have been unintended consequences with the program: June auto sales fall short as buyers await 'clunkers' cash (Detroit News) Replies to this message: gagrice (Jul 04, 2009 5:11 am) elroy5 (Jul 04, 2009 5:30 am) maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 6:09 am) kdhspyder (Jul 04, 2009 7:05 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 04, 2009 7:27 am) and 8 more... gagrice (Jul 04, 2009 12:25 pm) and 2 more... steve_ (Jul 04, 2009 7:49 am) maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 7:59 am) and 4 more... kdhspyder (Jul 04, 2009 8:56 am) and 4 more...
#1385 of 4051 Just another bailout for people who made bad decisions by elroy5 Jul 03, 2009 (8:58 pm)
The Government has already bailed out companies who made bad business decisions. Now they are going to do the same thing for those people who bought gas guzzlers they didn't need. I guess it pays to be stupid now. In business, and in life When are the people who do things right going to get a break? Replies to this message: kathyc2 (Jul 04, 2009 12:44 pm)
#1386 of 4051 Is Toyota Exaggerating? by maryh3 Jul 04, 2009 (2:47 am)
According to various sites my 2000 3.8L T&C minivan qualifies for getting 18 mpg combined. When I go to the Toyota site and plug it in here: http://www.buyatoyota.com/cars.aspx?siteid=tcom_C4C_bat_rebate%20calc It tells me I can get a $4500 rebate for a 3.5L AWD Rav4. The AWD Rav4 is listed on various sites as getting 21 mpg combined. Since this is only 3 mpg better that what I'm trading in shouldn't it be only $3500? I thought that it had to be a 5 mpg better than my trade in to get the $4500? Am I missing something? Replies to this message: joegiant (Jul 04, 2009 3:11 am) maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 4:14 am) gagrice (Jul 04, 2009 5:31 am) plekto (Jul 04, 2009 6:44 am)
#1387 of 4051 Re: Is Toyota Exaggerating? [maryh3] by joegiant Jul 04, 2009 (3:11 am)
Replying to: maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 2:47 am) That same Toyota site has my '87 F-150 4.9L (rated at 16mpg on the guv website) as ineligible fpr the program. With a grain of salt... Why not go directly to the Cash for Clunkers website and key in your data? Much more accurate. Replies to this message: maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 4:14 am)
#1388 of 4051 Re: Is Toyota Exaggerating? [joegiant] by maryh3 Jul 04, 2009 (4:14 am)
Replying to: joegiant (Jul 04, 2009 3:11 am) So you are saying to take the Cash for Clunkers website info over Toyota's -- unless it is Toyota who is giving me the rebate.
#1389 of 4051 Re: This is an outrageous program ... [steve_] by gagrice Jul 04, 2009 (5:11 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Jul 03, 2009 8:36 pm) There have been unintended consequences with the program: It may do the same in July. At least till the last week after the NHTSA puts out the official RULES. Looks like Subaru, Kia & Ford are gaining market share in this market. Also VW is doing well selling their diesel Jettas. Chrysler, GM and Toyota are the BIG losers this year. Ford may end up on top this year. Ford got their act together with the best midsized hybrid and its non hybrid stable mate. Those should be big sellers in the clunker trade business. Half way through the year and only 4.8 million sold. How is the C4C with only 250,000 additional sales going to make an impact in the market. You are going to probably frustrate more buyers than you satisfy. The guy with a legitimate clunker that cannot get financing drives home in his old beater. Another thinks his vehicle should qualify and it does not with the same result. Look at the sales for June. 859K total sales, off from last year by 27.7%. 250,000 more cars sold in a single month would not equal last years poor sales. Cracking 10 million sales this year will be a tough sell, even with this lame C4C bill. I agree with Koshti, this is more socialism. Reward those that make bad decisions with money from those that do not. Replies to this message: elroy5 (Jul 04, 2009 5:30 am) maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 6:09 am) kdhspyder (Jul 04, 2009 7:05 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 04, 2009 7:27 am) andre1969 (Jul 04, 2009 7:52 am) and 4 more... maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 7:56 am) and 1 more... hpmctorque (Jul 04, 2009 1:32 pm) gagrice (Jul 04, 2009 12:25 pm) kdhspyder (Jul 04, 2009 4:00 pm) and 1 more... steve_ (Jul 04, 2009 7:49 am) maryh3 (Jul 04, 2009 7:59 am) steve_ (Jul 04, 2009 8:05 am) and 3 more... kdhspyder (Jul 04, 2009 8:56 am) steve_ (Jul 04, 2009 9:01 am) and 3 more...
#1390 of 4051 Re: This is an outrageous program ... [gagrice] by elroy5 Jul 04, 2009 (5:30 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Jul 04, 2009 5:11 am) So all of us who didn't buy a guzzler we didn't need in the first place are left out in the cold. And what about someone who did this very thing (traded a guzzler for a hybrid) last year? They must be fuming right now.