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Automotive News & Views Cash for Clunkers - Good or Bad Idea?
4072 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 9:34 AM
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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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Replying to: 100chuck (Jul 12, 2009 6:41 am)  ). When we got there our sales rep was standing at the front door chatting with the manager and another sales person. The lot was otherwise empty. When we left thirty minutes later there was another couple and one lone tire-kicker on the lot. The manager said they have sold a couple of cars under the Clunker program. It was a better experience than we had 2 weeks ago at the other Mazda dealer here. We just showed up and walked the lot for 15 minutes. We met another couple we knew who were also tire kicking, but none of us ever saw a sales person. Unemployment did double here to ~10% so maybe that's a factor, but the lots I've been to haven't been packed.
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Replying to: stephen987 (Jul 13, 2009 11:51 am) Van currently has a bad tie rod so I don't feel like putting the $200 into the repair, I'll just drive slowly when I get it to the dealer  I think this whole program is an environment disaster and waste. The best part of my minivan is the power train which has never given me a speck of trouble and is still going fine -- and that's the part that has to be destroyed. |
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Replying to: dtownfb (Jul 13, 2009 9:48 am) IMO this is probably one of the best values out there. The Mazda Tribute gets 23 mpg so I get the $4500 C4C instead of the $3500, the rebate is $3000, and they are dealing on the prices like crazy (bet they are redesigning it). With my C4C it looks like the automatic will cost $13000. Quite the deal. I know I will have to compromise and get the automatic. It became easier to do when I read the fine print on the Mazda site and saw that the rebate on the stick shift was only $2000 - not $3000 like the automatics have on them. So the difference between the auto verses stick is only $900 now. I know that the resale value of the stick verses automatic will more than make up for the difference. Good negative article on the C4C program: http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1014/Five-Reasons-Ca- - - sh-for-Clunkers-is-a-Joke Good positive article on the value of the Ford Escape: http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1018/Best-Car-Deals-- - - July-2009 |
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Replying to: maryh3 (Jul 13, 2009 12:59 pm) it is probably a little cheaper.
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Replying to: maryh3 (Jul 13, 2009 12:59 pm) 1. A 'clunker' worth $3000 should not be traded in for a $3500 voucher. That vehicle should be sold at retail for $5000-$7000 by the owner. OTOH he admits that a clunker worth $100 is getting a windfall if he/she gets $3500 or $4500. Duhhh. Stupid pointless 'reason' in both cases. One's a no brainer and the other's a 'Duhhh'. 2. This point is proving to be absolutely wrong because the proponents of the 'the poor have no right getting better vehicles' perspective ignore that this is a HUGE and wealthy country with millions - millions - of comfortable people owning trucks and SUVs from the 90s that have minimal value as tradeins but are definitely worthwhile as C4C vehicles. These people not only can buy but often are paying cash because they wait for these good opportunities. 3. HUH? The program is voluntary. If someone needs his or her clunker for weekend work or camping or family vacations then those people can keep their older guzzlers. No one says that they have to participate. Another stupid pointless 'reason'. 4. This 'future classics' argument is one of the stupidest ones yet. If it's a future classic then presumably it's being cared for properly. No vehicle I've seen yet being offered for this program is anything more than a piece of crap, rusted and falling apart, needing significant out-of-pocket expenses simply to keep it on the road. But again the program is voluntary...the MIB are not going around to garages and back fields and taking vehicles away from owners. 5. This is the posting of someone so superficial and so ignorant of the entire project that his entire article becomes worthless. ..The program has already boosted traffic at the stores. Even the 'haters' are going to take advantage of it!!  ..Boosting auto sales is only one purpose behind the project but the intended scope is a 5-10% temporary boost. That's it ..Fuel savings are ignored ..National security issues are ignored ..Stimulation to a wide sector of jobs and employees is ignored. .....this article should be ignored. I would kill him in a debate. He has no facts just broad generalities.
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Jul 13, 2009 1:20 pm) On Saturday I came from the Mazda dealer and went right to the Ford dealer. I'm standing right there with numbers from Mazda in my hand and they acted like there was no room for negotiation in their prices (idiots). When I hit the Mazda lots, the first thing they do is lop off between $1000 to $1800 off the MSRP, and then take the rebate off. The Ford salesman did nothing except the rebate. I wouldn't mind the Ford because they offer that SYNC. Would be great for teenagers because in spite of the fact that I tell them never to use their cell phone when driving, I would be naive to think they never will. The bluetooth integrated SYNC upgrade would be worth something to me but the Ford dealership behaves like idiots. Right now I have the Mazda Tribute down to $17,500 for the base automatic (w/o C4C). I'd pay $18,000 for the base automatic Ford Escape with SYNC. But somehow I don't think I'll get that.
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Replying to: british_rover (Jul 11, 2009 6:26 am) Your advice is actually very good advice indeed. Avoid the SOHC, avoid the 3 speed auto, and you'd probably be smart to buy one without an AC as well. Problem is some people live in CA where it is HOT and an AC is a necessity. The other problem is I know I'm not the only one that got the SOHC engine with the 3 spd. auto. The BIGGEST problem is that Chrysler and Dodge committed FRAUD by knowingly avoiding the necessity to provide that information to its customers back in 1994-1999. They didn't put a sign up that said "Avoid our 3spd auto as it fails after 60K miles or so" They also didn't provide a warning or caution that the SOHC engine had faulty head gaskets. If Chrysler would have warned about these errors on the Neon, and/or finally stood behind the product by covering the repairs, I'd have a different opinion today. P.S. I know of a friend today that has a late model Neon (2000 or newer) and they drive around with a miscolored red bumber that looks more pink than red like the rest of the car. Why do they drive around in a disfigured car??? Answer: Chrysler won't cover it under warranty and doesn't stand behind their shoddy products. |
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Jul 11, 2009 6:19 am) Yes, my American/Domestic vehicle experience happened to also be my "first car' experience. It was and will also be my last; that's how bad. It couldn't have been any worse really, there is no way the experience could have been much worse. Also, my Japanese and German car experiences have been light years superior. I can't figure out why GM & Chrysler didn't go bankrupt BEFORE 1994, are people just dumb? |
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Replying to: dave8697 (Jul 10, 2009 9:22 pm) In my particular experience my Honda was 6,000+ miles past warranty, which was 36,000 miles at the time. I was at 42K and change. Therefore, unless you are accusing Honda of adding about 20% mileage error to their odometers, your excuse carries no weight. I've heard the error is less than 1% off on the odometers. Also, dealeriships have nothing to do with the quality of the vehicle FROM the factory, but they do have everything to do with your experience when something goes wrong. Either they can ignore the problem and not offer warranty help and tell you "parts just break down." Or they can step up to the plate, STAND behind their products, and tell you that you'll get a special extended warranty to cover this UNEXPECTED breakdown and repair. At the Big 3, problems are expected, at Honda and other reliable dealers, problems are UNexpected and even EMBARRASSING to the dealer and automaker.
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Replying to: andres3 (Jul 13, 2009 2:24 pm) One of the best thing to happen to me back in 2000 was the inability to get an Odyssey fast so I had to "settle" for the Chrysler. All 3 of my friends who got the 2000 Odyssey had major issues. All 3 have replaced the transmissions, one was paid for by Honda, the other was beyond 105,00 and Honda wouldn't do it, the third had one tranny replaced by Honda, but it failed later and they wouldn'r replace it for a second time. My T&C shifts wonderfully with 194,000 on it. We need to get back onto C4C but you might want to read all the "satisfied" Honda customers on this thread: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0fa11e?displayRecent
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