Cash for Clunkers: Winners and Losers

[manasecret]

If that truly was the reasoning (I haven't read or heard or anything from someone official that confirms it, is all I'm saying) it was a dumb and misguided decision. I think you can promote the environmental benefits of high mileage cars without making the old cars undriveable.

First, this is not the way to fight climate change, if that was their intention. And secondly, just the fact that you will get a bunch of people who now have high mileage cars and can see firsthand the benefit of the money being saved, I think very few will go back and demand lower mileage cars in the future. Basically, you get the same benefit without destroying cars.

Finally, I want to be fair and point out that much of the car can still be sold for parts, with some minor and major exceptions (I can't remember what off the top of my head). So, economically, I think they were able to recoup some costs and at least not all old parts businesses and mechanics were fucked over by the program.

EDIT: And to comment specifically on your numbers, that does surprise me that Chrysler and GM would still see sliding sales. I guess no one has any trust in them at this point, though maybe a big part of it is that there are few cars to choose from their lineups that meet the program's rules?

[TheGame]

Originally Posted by manasecret

EDIT: And to comment specifically on your numbers, that does surprise me that Chrysler and GM would still see sliding sales. I guess no one has any trust in them at this point, though maybe a big part of it is that there are few cars to choose from their lineups that meet the program's rules?

That's what I think, if the numbers are in fact true. Though Chrystler 300 is admitedly a very popular car around these parts.. that's probably the only car I can think of from those companies that would sell over Toyota's, Hondas, and Fords.

[Vampyr]

Sort of humorous fact: the $4500 rebate for your "clunker" is taxable.

A lot of people didn't realize this until they made the deal and got the money.

[Dyne]

This is retarded. Canada's "Scrapit" program only gave $2250 for a while and now only gives $1250.

However, I did scrap my 1994 Dodge Intrepid and decreased my emissions a hell of a lot. The downside? Fucking paperwork. I bought my car on June 21st and it's September now. We finished all the paperwork/scrapping at the beginning of August and now we have to wait 6-8 weeks for the money. The scrapit program DOES offer $250 at point of purchase, though.

....And I guess I got $1000 for being a recent post-secondary graduate. $3250 savings isn't that bad. Especially when it's not taxable.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by TheGame

That's what I think, if the numbers are in fact true. Though Chrystler 300 is admitedly a very popular car around these parts.. that's probably the only car I can think of from those companies that would sell over Toyota's, Hondas, and Fords.

I think thats part of it for Chrysler (I love the 300 Touring soooo much, and I will have one someday), but GM should have done much better considering their fleet of trucks and SUV's that qualified (truck and SUV standards for the program were much lower than cars).

[TheGame]

The only problem with trucks is that they're kinda expensive, and not as appealing.

But yeah, Chrystler 300 is a nice car. I'm hoping to get one or get a Mustang come next summer. For now I'm just gonna have fun with having no car note and low insurance lol.