Cash for Clunkers - Good or Bad Idea?

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

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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?"

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#1756 of 4110 Re: I gave at the garage [british_rover] by gasmizr Jul 19, 2009 (8:15 pm)
Replying to: british_rover (Jul 19, 2009 3:01 pm) It was a 97 3.0L with a 3 speed auto. The combined is 19 according to the government but I will tell you that van did that around town with no problem. We basically drove it into the ground. Lifters were ticking by 80K, rebuilt trans at 110k and 135K, calipers, O2 and MAT sensors a few time etc. It just got to expensive to keep fixing but it did have good gas mileage up to when we go rid of it. Not to mention it drove like a boat. Had around $8K in total non maint costs to keep it running for 10 years. Way higher than any of my Honda's. Replaced with Odyssey new. As far as the C4C program, no matter it is just my rant. If the auto companies, American I presume, had the bill written so be it. I do not think it will help all that much but hey who knows. We already gave them tens of billions so what is one more, more or less. Gov Motors and Chrysler are not on my list to purchase from, ever. That voyager was my last "American" company auto. I am sticking with Honda from here on out as I have had much better luck with longevity and low maintenance. YES, Honda has its issues too but I have had much better luck with them. I will stick with what I know for now. As far as a crystal ball, know one knows for sure but I would put my 96 civic up against the intrepid. Over the last 14 years I have a total in the car of less then $2K worth of non maintenance repairs. One cat, two cat back exhausts due to rust, rear struts and trailing arm bushings. I do not count tires, brakes, filters etc. as I would have had to do these on any car. It now has 206K and does not use any oil between changes every 3-4K miles. Trans is clean and I have done complete fluid replacements every 50K along with doing the brake fluid at the same time. Yes it may just quit but right now I would have to say it will go another 100K. Oh, almost forgot. Had to change out the radio as the volume control became intermittent but that fits in the $2K too.
#1757 of 4110 Re: I gave at the garage [isellhondas] by maryh3 Jul 20, 2009 (5:39 am)
Replying to: isellhondas (Jul 19, 2009 5:12 pm) That Discovery sounds like something I could use. Looking for a good vehicle for the few times we get snow. Deliberately passed on anything 4 wheel drive with my C4C money because I've heard that used 4 wheel drive gas guzzlers drop in value like a rock, and I'd be better buying one used. Where do you sell Honda's?
#1758 of 4110 Re: I gave at the garage [isellhondas] by british_rover Jul 20, 2009 (6:00 am)
Replying to: isellhondas (Jul 19, 2009 5:12 pm) I can see many of those Series I Discos going away because of C4C. They are very thirsty my 2002, which was a series II so rated lower for mileage, got 13 mpg no matter what and premium was recommended. Everything on them is expensive and depending on where you live there are few independents to work on them. Incredibly strong bodies, all aluminum for the most part so no rust, and frames, fully boxed double wall construction which explains the massive weight and poor gas mileage, but the ancillary components are fragile and those engines eat head gaskets. Since you said the nicer model Craig I assume it was a HSE which means it most likely had rear air suspension. That is another component that if nearly guaranteed to fail unless it is well cared for and even proper maintenance only delays the eventual failure. Mary if you think your Neon had a problem with head gaskets it is nothing compared to a Series I disco. As much as I like them and as nice as they are to pound through the rough stuff they are very trouble prone and expensive to repair. The series II Discos are light years ahead of the old Series I models and not too much more money. The series IIs have a longer wheelbase so they handle better too with more room in the back. Replies to this message: gagrice (Jul 20, 2009 6:19 am) isellhondas (Jul 20, 2009 12:56 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 20, 2009 1:09 pm) isellhondas (Jul 20, 2009 2:08 pm) british_rover (Jul 21, 2009 5:45 am)
#1759 of 4110 Re: I gave at the garage [british_rover] by gagrice Jul 20, 2009 (6:19 am)
Replying to: british_rover (Jul 20, 2009 6:00 am) I cannot understand why Land Rover does not bring their diesel RR and Disco to the USA. I like the looks of them better than any of the German offerings with diesel. Do they only build the gassers for US?
#1760 of 4110 Re: I gave at the garage [andre1969] by plekto Jul 20, 2009 (7:11 am)
Replying to: andre1969 (Jul 19, 2009 5:31 pm) The reason I suggest to people with high mileage cars that they consider the C4C program is that odds of a major breakdown at 150,000++ are pretty good, and in one SNAP! or CLUNK! your $4500 car becomes a $250 car It really depends what you have. My truck, for instance, is maybe $400-$600 in repairs every 6-9 months, but it's routine stuff that dies due to age.(water pump, master cylinder, radiator, etc). I of course replace the entire system more often that not when something dies.(for instance one brake rotor failed - replaced all four at once) The most expensive thing on my vehicle would be the transmission. Being that it's a manual, a replacement is a whopping $1200 new It's common to find rebuilt ones ready to drop in for $600-$800. The original transmission lasted an amazing 325K miles and 20 years as well. I don't think I'll need a new one any time soon. Now, sure, spending $1000 a year on an old truck to keep it running seems a bit silly at first, but that's three months of payments on a new vehicle by comparison. It's always cheaper to keep an old car running than a newer one. The only reasons you should ever get another vehicle is if it dies in an accident, you need a different vehicle, or the old one rusts or is unsafe and slow(ie - totally wears out). I don't like $1000 repair sessions every year or so. But I like monthly payments, insane registration, and crazy high insurance premiums even less. Replies to this message: philliplc (Jul 20, 2009 7:35 am)
#1761 of 4110 Re: I gave at the garage [plekto] by philliplc Jul 20, 2009 (7:35 am)
Replying to: plekto (Jul 20, 2009 7:11 am) "It's always cheaper to keep an old car running than a newer one. " not necessarily. for example if my sedona ends up needing thousands of dollars in repairs over the next few years (a distinct possibility), and i lose $3000+ trade equity by not using CARS now, it will certainly effectively cost way more for me to keep it than it would cost to own a civic or corolla over the same period. also for someone who's income depends on having a reliable vehicle, downtime for repairs on an older vehicle could end up being more costly than the repairs themselves.
#1762 of 4110 anyone want to predict how long the money will last? by steve_ HOST Jul 20, 2009 (8:33 am)
The first batch of money that is. A salesperson called this morning and the guess at their dealership is that the clunker money will run out in 72 hours. The salesperson sold two clunker deals this weekend. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Jul 20, 2009 9:07 am) ldisler (Jul 20, 2009 9:08 am) gasmizr (Jul 20, 2009 9:43 am) british_rover (Jul 20, 2009 9:57 am) steve_ (Jul 20, 2009 10:00 am) kdhspyder (Jul 20, 2009 9:39 am)
#1763 of 4110 Re: anyone want to predict how long the money will last? [steve_] by mickeyrom Jul 20, 2009 (9:07 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Jul 20, 2009 8:33 am) I never heard of any limits other than it would end in November.
#1764 of 4110 Re: anyone want to predict how long the money will last? [steve_] by ldisler Jul 20, 2009 (9:08 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Jul 20, 2009 8:33 am) Sounds like adealer trying to scare you to buy now. How would a dealer know when the money is going to run out? Replies to this message: gasmizr (Jul 20, 2009 9:43 am) british_rover (Jul 20, 2009 9:57 am) steve_ (Jul 20, 2009 10:00 am)
#1765 of 4110 Re: anyone want to predict how long the money will last? [steve_] by kdhspyder Jul 20, 2009 (9:39 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Jul 20, 2009 8:33 am) WOW! Two whole clunker turn-ins. 60 days is my guess when the first tranche of funding runs out. That being said, if it looks like the program is a raging hit then I see it being extended immediately for another 90 days..then again ..then again, If the public jumps all over the program it's awfully hard for the politico's of both parties to resist the will of the public.