If the Cash for Clunkerslegislation passes and is signed into law, would you be eligible for it? Would you participate in it? For me, I think the answers are yes and yes.
This isn’t really intended as a debate, more as a poll for whether folks are interested in this and eager to take advantage…
Even with 192K on my old Acura, I still get close to 30MPG, so I don’t qualify.
I might think about buying something if I did.
Yes and maybe.
Depends on how it is set up. I’d be concerned about dealers lowballing my trade in, knowing that I’m probably more concerned about the $4,500 than the $1,500 my cluncker is worth. But that also depends on what happens to the clunker. Obviously it shouldn’t go back on the market, so the dealer is left with either the scrap value or the salvage value (for parts). The used car market is going to be in a tizzy.
No, I still get about 22 city/30 highway in my 14 year-old Corolla, so I don’t qualify for the proposed federal program.
I am eligible for the Texas program ($3000-3500, depending on whether or not one purchases a hybrid), which has no MPG limits on vehicles over 10 years old.
I’m disappointed I don’t qualify for the federal program too. I certainly would have taken advantage of it if eligible $7000-8000 plus the trade in value of my car would have almost covered the price of any vehicle I’m likely to buy.
Oh wow. If I weren’t currently paying off my motorcycle, I would definitely have to think about taking advantage of that. My 99 Isuzu Rodeo gets a steady 17 MPG, and it’s definitely worth way less than $4500 right now, especially because of a few repairs I’ve been unable to make due to paying off the aforementioned motorcycle.
My 1994 Honda Accord gets something like 22-25 MPG, so I don’t think I’d qualify. But I am itching to get a new car, and I think it’s worth less than $4,500 so I’d like to participate.
Yes and yes. We have a big pickup, bought for hauling horse trailers, which I’d gladly trade in for a Prius. Very useful when hauling stuff, but not really practical as a second car.
Hirundo82, I might be wrong but I don’t think you get the federal money plus the trade-in value. I think you get the money instead of the trade-in value. So if my SUV is worth $2000 and is fully eligible, I will only get a voucher for $4500, not $4500 + 2000.
I could be wrong about that, and I’d be delighted if I was. And of course the legislation hasn’t been passed or anything, so it could always change…
Can I go buy a POS beater from a junkyard, push it in, then claim the rebate?
I, despite being an Evil Republican™, drive a car that though of the appropriate vintage, still gets gas milage that is too high to qualify. Dammit, who knew this subcompact would end up being environmentally friendly enough to screw me? Kidding. I’m not in the market for a new car anyway.
That’s a good question! I got an old junker van a few months ago for hauling stuff. It was cheap and worth every penny, but now it just sits in the yard getting dirtier by the day. I could sell it now for about 800. Maybe I should wait!
If that is the case, then this is more of an auto stimulus package than anything else. Otherwise the government would be money ahead if they just buy the SUV for $2000 and crush it. Doesn’t matter if it is your SUV or one a similar one sitting on a used car lot, it’s one less SUV in service.
Edited to add: And the government could probably get better prices buying old SUVs in bulk from used car dealers than they would buying them one at a time from individuals.