Cash for Clunkers
1 - 20 of 70 Posts
Joined
·
3,149 Posts
I think what they are required to do with the "clunkers" is absolutely horrible.
Some of the vehicles that are being turned in are in great condition, even if they don't get good gas mileage. They have hundreds of perfectly good parts left on them, and they're all going to waste by getting crushed before people have the opportunity to salvage the parts.
If they're going to mandate that the cars never be driven again, they should just prohibit the junkyard from selling the vehicle whole. Allowing people to purchase body panels and interior parts, etc is not going to harm anything. I think this program works against those of us who can't afford to buy a new car.
I'm all for the government trying to get people to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles... maybe even giving them a monitary incentive... but they're way too harsh with the rules that govern the fate of the "clunker".
Some of the vehicles that are being turned in are in great condition, even if they don't get good gas mileage. They have hundreds of perfectly good parts left on them, and they're all going to waste by getting crushed before people have the opportunity to salvage the parts.
If they're going to mandate that the cars never be driven again, they should just prohibit the junkyard from selling the vehicle whole. Allowing people to purchase body panels and interior parts, etc is not going to harm anything. I think this program works against those of us who can't afford to buy a new car.
I'm all for the government trying to get people to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles... maybe even giving them a monitary incentive... but they're way too harsh with the rules that govern the fate of the "clunker".
I'm not sure where this misconception of them getting crushed is coming from.
Salvage yards have the oppurtunity to purchase these cars and sell parts off of them. But no part of the drivetrain can be re-sold.
So body parts, interior, suspension, etc is still all good.
I still think the program is a crock of shit either way.
Salvage yards have the oppurtunity to purchase these cars and sell parts off of them. But no part of the drivetrain can be re-sold.
So body parts, interior, suspension, etc is still all good.
I still think the program is a crock of shit either way.
Joined
·
1,790 Posts
I thought the whole point of the program was to tear the vehicles apart and recycle them to make new cars. But I agree it is indeed a crock of ****
No, the point is to take away the clunkers that the people can actually AFFORD, give them a $4500 "coupon" to take off the already inflated car pricing, HOPE that these people will buy something from Government Motors, go into more debt, help out the company that we as the citizens have already dumped enough money into, and the goverment can profit. They should be giving us a FREE car.98escortkid said:
In Amerikka, debt is good, comrade!
BAM!Onegimp said:
You just brought out the biggest problem. The ONLY people that this program actually benefits are people who were ALREADY in the market for a new car, regardless of the $4500 incentive or not. They just saved $4500 from where they would have been before.
The poor people who are buying the car because they don't know what's going on? They're saving NEGATIVE $15k or whatever.
There's a reason these people keep their clunkers. They can afford it.
I can replace the engine in any of my cars for cheaper than one monthly payment on a new car.
Joined
·
1,748 Posts
I think I may know where the idea of the cars being crushed is coming from.
I suspect that some people are only reading the first sentence of this paragraph:
What happens to the vehicle I trade in?
The CARS Act requires that the trade-in vehicle be crushed or shredded so that it will not be resold for use in the United States or elsewhere as an automobile. The entity crushing or shredding the vehicles in this manner will be allowed to sell some parts of the vehicle prior to crushing or shredding it, but these parts cannot include the engine or the drive train.
From CARS.gov FAQ
I can understand not reselling the engine, but it surprises me that the drivetrain can't be resold. I understand that the transmission may have some effect on the vehicle's gas mileage, but I wouldn't think that much. I'm certain the rest of the drivetrain wouldn't have much of an effect, however.
Casey
I suspect that some people are only reading the first sentence of this paragraph:
What happens to the vehicle I trade in?
The CARS Act requires that the trade-in vehicle be crushed or shredded so that it will not be resold for use in the United States or elsewhere as an automobile. The entity crushing or shredding the vehicles in this manner will be allowed to sell some parts of the vehicle prior to crushing or shredding it, but these parts cannot include the engine or the drive train.
From CARS.gov FAQ
I can understand not reselling the engine, but it surprises me that the drivetrain can't be resold. I understand that the transmission may have some effect on the vehicle's gas mileage, but I wouldn't think that much. I'm certain the rest of the drivetrain wouldn't have much of an effect, however.
Casey
Joined
·
8,622 Posts
yeah think of all those rear ends going to waste on traded in trucks and suv's. those things sure do cause horrible gas mileage.
Joined
·
15,318 Posts
I wouldn't have a problem with this program if it were limited to cars assembled in the USA, Canada, or Mexico and branded by a US based company, and the new vehicle gets at least 30MPG EPA EST hwy mileage.
I think it's just wrong to pay people to buy cars that get 22MPG. That's really low.
I think it's just wrong to pay people to buy cars that get 22MPG. That's really low.
Joined
·
8,622 Posts
yeah my turbo escort gets better mileage than that lol
Joined
·
2,896 Posts
Yesterday me and my friend went to look and at some of the "clunkers." One we saw was a 2006 Toyota Sequoia. I think a lot of people are cashing in on this because they can get more for the old car as a "clunker" than as a trade in.
Joined
·
6,144 Posts
When I first heard about this (before reading further), I assumed they would just wholesale the cars that were worth reselling and send the rest to the junkers. Boy was I wrong.
I just think of all the people who would be happy to drive one of these "clunkers" (myself included on some of them), which might be better than their current vehicle. Or, those who don't have a car at all. A 15 mpg gas hog still beats the bus.
I just think of all the people who would be happy to drive one of these "clunkers" (myself included on some of them), which might be better than their current vehicle. Or, those who don't have a car at all. A 15 mpg gas hog still beats the bus.
Joined
·
161 Posts
I think I may have shed a tear or two when I saw an old BMW getting seized. After they thought it was done, it started back up again! Then it died for good. 
I would never let my scort die from such horrible fate. For the record, is there any way to unseize an engine like that?
I would never let my scort die from such horrible fate. For the record, is there any way to unseize an engine like that?
Joined
·
9,941 Posts
What?! You can get more than $4500 trade-in on that! The idea behind the program is to get gas guzzlers off the road for good, that's why they destroy the engines. Besides the bearings, that stuff they put in the engine also coats the oil passages so even if you were to rebuild the engine once it heated up that stuff would be in your oil. I still don't agree with destroying the engine and having the trans off limits at the junkyard. The car traded must be in drivable condition so there are alot of trannys going to waist. There should also be a rule that the car must have over 100K miles to be traded. It difficult to call a car a clunker when it has under 100K.white-lightning said:
For anyone interested the most traded in cars for the program are:
Ford Explorers
Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
Ford Windstars
Dodge Caravan
1 - 20 of 70 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!