Cash for Clunkers Bill

[Gary]

It seems like the U.S. congress is about to pass some sort of Cash for Clunkers bill where vouchers will be given out as an incentive for people to buy new cars. The "clunker" will then be scrapped. The articles I read referenced a "sucessful" program in Germany.

Could some of our European members comment on how successful this program truely is?

[namba209 (R.I.P.)]

Gary, that program lasted about a year or two here in CA, maybe 10-15 years ago. The Car Clubs, and aftermarket parts suppliers had a hand in the demise of the program. It turned out the State was paying out more per car to recycle, than was being saved in the emmissions reduction.

[BMWonly]

My Dad in Germany just bought a new Opel Astra. He received EUR 2,500 for having his 12 year old Opel Omega crushed, plus about 4,000 rebate from Opel for the Astra. Looks like he got a very good deal.
He said they are selling new cars like crazy over there, but mostly smaller cars.

Dieter

[deanh74_2]

The rub is going to be that you are going to have to buy a more efficent vehicle. You will have a hard time trading up with this program.

Dean

[First opel 1981]

Whats great about these programs is that your parts gain value.

Yeah, I know.... small consolation.

[DennisGardiner]

My Dad in Germany just bought a new Opel Astra. He received EUR 2,500 for having his 12 year old Opel Omega crushed, plus about 4,000 rebate from Opel for the Astra. Looks like he got a very good deal.
He said they are selling new cars like crazy over there, but mostly smaller cars.

Dieter

Well, that means the 2.4L was probably crushed as well.

One less 2.4L for all of us.

[ungermm]

Gary, that program lasted about a year or two here in CA, maybe 10-15 years ago. The Car Clubs, and aftermarket parts suppliers had a hand in the demise of the program. It turned out the State was paying out more per car to recycle, than was being saved in the emmissions reduction.

Ron, There is a plan (may not be the same plan you speak of) to retire your vehicle for cash. I think they just increased the pay out amount. I think the plan is not only to reduce emissions, but to increase newer car sales which results in a gain of tax revenue for the state (oh BTW, taxes are around 10%, so if you spend $20,000 on a new car the state just made their money back and then some).

Vehicle Retirement Program | Pick Your Part Auto Wrecking

Another program available is for vehicles that fail their smog test at a test only site. I retired an 85' Lincoln VII about 5 years ago and all I had to do is decide that it wasn't worth fixing. I drove it down to a Pick-n-Pull and they wrote me a check for $1000. I didn't think the car was worth the $1000, but thank you very much California. And, I didn't buy a new car. I bought another old Opel, smog exempt of course.

Another option of the failed smog test at a test only site is that the state will provide up to $500 for repairs. I used this on my 87' jeep 2 years ago. The shop diagnosed the problem, replaced the O2 sensor and retested it. I think I had to pay the first $100. Now that the clutch is going out and it is close to 300,000 miles, I think I'll just take it down to PickYourPart and cash it in for $750.

Jerry

[BMWonly]

Well, that means the 2.4L was probably crushed as well.

One less 2.4L for all of us.

Nope, it was the 2.0 16V Ecotec engine (X20XEV). I thought about saving it, but it would have been too expensive to pay someone to pull and ship it. Had it been a 2.4, well ...

[baz]

to me its a great way of making money if you have a load of old parts cars , we get £2000 rebate ( $3000 ) for a junker , so if you dont have one you buy a clunker from some one for $ 1000 and get $2000 free , just wished i had not got rid of all my clunkers a couple of years ago

[ungermm]

I called yesterday to see if there were still funds available to retire my car and was informed that there was (even though California is at a crisis for funding other programs). I had to fax my last 3 years of registration to them and received a call today that my car was approved for retirement. I didn't really think that it was worth the $750 that they were offering to retire it because of all the things that didn't work on it. The power windows, 4 wheel drive, leaking clutch slave cylinder, ignition switch, dash lights, the faded rustoleum paint job, and other things were bad or going bad. I drove it down to Pick Your Part and got my check though. I hadn't driven it in a couple months, but it drove great...like it knew something was up. After a quick inspection I was issued the check. I was a little surprise to be informed that it would be crushed within hours even though there were lots of good parts that someone might need . But, that's part of the program. I had 285,000 miles on it, too bad I couldn't get it to 300,000 miles. But I thought I better cash in now. It was due for registration fees, a smog check, and insurance renewal within a few months. Sad to see it go in a way, but the check will help me through my time of grieving .
Jerry

[First opel 1981]

I called yesterday to see if there were still funds available to retire my car and was informed that there was (even though California is at a crisis for funding other programs). I had to fax my last 3 years of registration to them and received a call today that my car was approved for retirement. I didn't really think that it was worth the $750 that they were offering to retire it because of all the things that didn't work on it. The power windows, 4 wheel drive, leaking clutch slave cylinder, ignition switch, dash lights, the faded rustoleum paint job, and other things were bad or going bad. I drove it down to Pick Your Part and got my check though. I hadn't driven it in a couple months, but it drove great...like it knew something was up. After a quick inspection I was issued the check. I was a little surprise to be informed that it would be crushed within hours even though there were lots of good parts that someone might need . But, that's part of the program. I had 285,000 miles on it, too bad I couldn't get it to 300,000 miles. But I thought I better cash in now. It was due for registration fees, a smog check, and insurance renewal within a few months. Sad to see it go in a way, but the check will help me through my time of grieving .
Jerry

Over the years a vehicle will develop a personality. Owners have a harder time parting with their beloved family member and its almost sad to read your tale.
You had this wonderful vehicle that has seen many miles of keeping you (and perhaps) your family safely from point to point. And, the day you send it off on its proverbial iceberg it gives you one last good ride, either for old times sake, or to prove to you that it still has some life in it and it doesn't want to die.

And you sell it out for lousy $750!






just kidding

[newman27]

I was at my local Pontiac dealership this past week for some service and as I'm leaving I see what looks to be an awesome Alfa Romeo on the used car lot. I said to my wife - "who would trade in an old Alfa for a new car?!?" Then, today I get an email from my dealership that they are a registered "Cash for Clunkers" dealership and that the program will give you up to $4,500 for your old car or truck. However, rather than scrap the Alfa, it was on the lot for sale. Is it required that the dealership MUST scrap the car? Maybe it wasn't traded in under the Cash for Clunkers program but it seemed like quite a coincidence.

[jordan]

I was at my local Pontiac dealership this past week for some service and as I'm leaving I see what looks to be an awesome Alfa Romeo on the used car lot. I said to my wife - "who would trade in an old Alfa for a new car?!?" Then, today I get an email from my dealership that they are a registered "Cash for Clunkers" dealership and that the program will give you up to $4,500 for your old car or truck. However, rather than scrap the Alfa, it was on the lot for sale. Is it required that the dealership MUST scrap the car? Maybe it wasn't traded in under the Cash for Clunkers program but it seemed like quite a coincidence.

All vehicles traded in with this bill MUST be crushed, that is the only reason the bill exists. I have heard, but not verified that all vehicles traded in for cash for clunkers must be crushed within 24 hours.

[opelnut10]

I was at my local Pontiac dealership this past week for some service and as I'm leaving I see what looks to be an awesome Alfa Romeo on the used car lot. I said to my wife - "who would trade in an old Alfa for a new car?!?" Then, today I get an email from my dealership that they are a registered "Cash for Clunkers" dealership and that the program will give you up to $4,500 for your old car or truck. However, rather than scrap the Alfa, it was on the lot for sale. Is it required that the dealership MUST scrap the car? Maybe it wasn't traded in under the Cash for Clunkers program but it seemed like quite a coincidence.

I just bought my wife a new car and got in on the "cash for clunkers" deal. First requirement is you must buy a new car, second what you are trading in must be rated a 4MPH or more below what you are buying and your trade must be no older than 25 years. It is $3500 for 4 to 9MPG and $4500 for 10 or more MPG, paid to the dealership by the government and requires destorying the trade-in. The $3500 (in my case) is off your best deal not sticker. I traded a 1995 Explorer 2WD with 204,000 miles and the back windows would not roll down, and for that and $10,550 I got a new Honda Accord LX 4 Dr. loaded. Of course they would like for you to buy the undercoating ($650) paint protective package (against acid rain, jet fuel and bird droppings) $350.00, pin stripes $150.00, tire protection warranty $250.00 and last but not least Nitrigen(sp) in your tires $150.00 + the 449.00 documents fee. But they are only makeing $200.00 on the deal

[stosh562]

i got one of them damn cards in the mail too. it stated i could get 4500 for my opel provided it was getting worse then 18mpg. HA! i'm getting about 22mpg with a solex and points still and i know i can get more. plus what car could i purchase and get as many looks going down the road as i do now. they can have my car when they pry it from my cold dead fingers. wonder what them political goons would think about my 78 Powerwagon that gets only about 8.5mpg but has enough power to pull a house down? i don't have to clear the driveway in winter with that truck. the benefit is no-one turns around in my driveway either.

[jordan]

i got one of them damn cards in the mail too. it stated i could get 4500 for my opel provided it was getting worse then 18mpg. HA! i'm getting about 22mpg with a solex and points still and i know i can get more. plus what car could i purchase and get as many looks going down the road as i do now. they can have my car when they pry it from my cold dead fingers. wonder what them political goons would think about my 78 Powerwagon that gets only about 8.5mpg but has enough power to pull a house down? i don't have to clear the driveway in winter with that truck. the benefit is no-one turns around in my driveway either.

Lots of malicious acts of turning around in driveways in NE Ohio?

[hrcollinsjr]

... "cash for clunkers" deal. First requirement is you must buy a new car, second what you are trading in must be rated a 4MPG or more below what you are buying and your trade must be no older than 25 years. It is $3500 for 4 to 9MPG and $4500 for 10 or more MPG, paid to the dealership by the government and requires destroying the trade-in.

Some of you entrepreneurs out there who need to get rid of a clunker especially if the price is right but can't or don't want to buy a new car. Take your old $500 car and price it to new car buyers for a trade in. Daddy is buying son/daughter a new car with no trade in. For a $2000 investment in your vehicle they can get a NICE return on their money!

Harold

[Aardvaark]

I got an dealers offer in the mail saying I could get up to $12,000 off of certain new GM vehicles after the mfgrs $4500, dealers $3000 and clunker $4500.
If I had a POS I wanted to get rid of and needed a new vehicle, it sure
would be tempting.

[Dennis Texas]

The rub is going to be that you are going to have to buy a more efficent vehicle. You will have a hard time trading up with this program.

Dean

The details are suppose to be released Monday but report last night stated that clunkers = cars with 18 or less MPG and must of been registerd for the last year, a media blitz from dealership ads I saw on TV to get you out in the market and sell you a car JMO.

[stosh562]

Lots of malicious acts of turning around in driveways in NE Ohio?

yep for some strange reason people pick my drive out of a long straight stretch to turn around in. don't need anybody lurking around when i don't know it. i even had contractors park all down in my driveway....and they were working on the neighbors drive! didn't even ask me.