Clunker bill

[slngsht]

NOTE: Serious discussion ONLY please - no name calling and no one line zingers.

 

So, the house bill that passed (gone to senate now) gives incentives of $4500 or $3500 depending on how much your new purchase improves on the car or truck you're turning in.

 

I have a few thoughts on the topic:

1- Although it's nice to get some tax money back, this program is financed by... well... us. so we are getting our own tax dollars back. So it's designed to jump start the auto industry by having us pay for it - again.

 

2- I think it will have a positive impact on energy consumption, so that's good.

 

3- For once, I'll qualify for a government handout :lol: . Looks like my almost free Yukon was a wise investment

 

4- Looking at domestic manufacturers' lineup, it looks like they will loose again to Honda / Toyota on this deal.

 

5- If you have an old Suburban sitting around that you are not using, you should be able to get about $3K for it.

 

So, how many here will take advantage of this deal? If so, what would you get rid of, and what would you replace it with?

 

Jetta TDI is not looking bad to me. 22K, 1300 rebate for diesel fuel, 4500 for my Yukon trade-in.

Edited June 29, 2009 by slngsht

[slomove]

Similar program was running for several months in Germany and has been a huge success, at least in terms of how many people participated. Probably also a success for better energy efficiency.

 

If it was a success in terms of stimulating the economy and car industry specifically, well the economists will be debating that for months to come.

 

But, the government tries at least to get some gears moving and I guess such a program is better than doing nothing.

 

I am not going to buy any car any time soon (if I can avoid it...).

 

Gert

[slngsht]

well, yes, in terms of economic activity, it will be a success. sort of like a store declaring a sale, but charging you a surcharge at checkout to pay for the sale.

 

I'm wish if they would do something like this, that the MPG improvement to qualify be greater than 5 MPG (less for pickups and SUVs).

[oilteq]

I have been a responsible citizen, and my daily drivers have averaged over 30 mpg since the late 1980s. Therefore, I am going to be screwed, and my tax dollars are going to benefit someone who chose a gas hog. I have become very angry at a government (regardless of which party is in power) that punishes responsibility and rewards irresponsibility.

Blaine

[Mondo]

I've come to the conclusion that no man's an island and the country is full of morons. No matter how responsible you, an individual are, the idiots and those that prey upon them will negatively affect you if they are left to their own devices.

 

Hence, I've become more liberal on my views of becoming a nanny state. Wall Street and banking need to have regulations restored and updated, we need to become more self-sufficient with energy (which most people won't do unless forced), and health care costs will bankrupt us all if not fixed (this will be the hardest solution to find).

 

It's sad that we can't just be responsible for our own self and family. But as someone who's career has put me in neighborhoods/homes all over one of the 60 most populous cities in the nation I can tell you it's a freaking crazy in some areas and you'd be amazed how some live! Many of these people literally can't fend for themselves and will never be productive. I don't have the answer but ignoring them by reducing government help would lead to chaos. I guess figuring out how to reduce this population (not racial but economically speaking) without being draconian is the big question.

 

Sorry... getting off the topic. Obviously I'm for helping to create jobs and hopefully this Clunker Bill will help in some way.

Edited June 29, 2009 by Mondo

[DeanG]

Bummer.

 

I traded in a clunker (1996 Tbird) for a Honda Fit in May. I loose.

[slngsht]

Bummer.

 

I traded in a clunker (1996 Tbird) for a Honda Fit in May. I loose.

maybe not. I think the version the house passed does go back 3 months

[RGTorque]

i wanted to trade in a old 94 buick century v6 for a passat cc but they will not take it because it gets 20mpg combined... and need 18

[powderbrake]

 

5- If you have an old Suburban sitting around that you are not using, you should be able to get about $3K for it.

 

So, how many here will take advantage of this deal? If so, what would you get rid of, and what would you replace it with?

 

Jetta TDI is not looking bad to me. 22K, 1300 rebate for diesel fuel, 4500 for my Yukon trade-in.

 

You most likely won't be able to tow your Seven on a trailer behind a Jetta.

 

 

The whole thing is so strange... bailouts and rebates, and tougher mpg standards while the manufacturers are going bankrupt, but I am trying to focus on the directives of the original post.

 

I've got a Tahoe that got 19.7 mpg on a heavily loaded (internal, not trailering), high speed trip of 800 miles each way last week. I's supposed to get 21mpg on the highway , but I guess it would have to be unloaded, running at 55mph to get that , if at all possible. So my only way to get the benefit is to buy something that can tow 5000 pounds (trailer with a seven in it) and gets 26 mpg on the highway. I'm not sure that thing exists, and I'm not really interested in changing that car, as I need something to tow with and large enough to get sheets of plywood in it for home projects, take stuff on hunting and camping trips etc.

 

I am in the market for a new vehicle for my wife. She needs something that will allow her to take four (and sometimes 5) grandkids with her, and will accomodate the three car seats the laws require for the kids. That is likely to be a minivan. Most of them get in the low to mid 20's on the highway, but her current Lexus ES300 gets up to 29 mpg on the highway, so I can't score on that one either.

 

My wife's Lexus is only a couple mpg less than the current best Large cars, but I understand the new mileage ratings are in general , lower and more realistic than they used to be, so I'm out of luck on this benefit.

 

Looking at the fuel mileage charts on this website:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/bestworst.shtml