Cash For Clunkers
CLUNKERS..........?
What is it really, does anyone really know the actual progam, how it works or if it will work for you? There are a lot of stories out there already about the "Cash For Clunkers" program, some say it's the best thing to come down the pike to rejuvenate the failing Automotive industry, others say hold on to your hat, if it's like everything that's come out of Washington lately there will likely be changes made to it and maybe a few hidden clauses in it that you were not aware of. Better read the 136 page "book" that dealers get on what is required to qualify your gas guzzler. For some reason the EPA has released a new list of vehicles that were getting 18 MPG or less prior to the start of the "Cash For Clunkers" progam and now list several of the same vehicles at 19 MPG or more. Do you know what happens to your old gas guzzler after you swap it off for a New (good used don't apply) car that gets a few MPG's more than your old less effecient car (that was probably paid for) You will also now have a "New" car payment to go along with it. Well instead of going to a recycle yard (junk yard) the cars will have their engines seized before leaving the car lot, they will then be shredded, and of all things the metal will be sold/shipped to CHINA. This makes about as much sense as anything else that has happened lately, instead of recyclers being able to make money on the useable parts, that someone could use to keep their vehicle running. And then if the used parts for these vehicles dry up, guess what, all of the remaining vehicles will be sent to the shreder because they won't be able to get useable parts to repair them with. Makes perfect sense, if you want to do away with all these cars that low income folks rely on to go to work, to go shopping etc. How will they be able to get a New vehicle when most could hardly afford the old one. I would think that if the "Cash For Clunkers" program would include good late model fuel efficent "Used" vehicles also it would make better sense. The used vehicle market would benefit by selling more cost effecient cars, where buying only new cars on the program it will take longer for the used market to recoup and obtain used cars. So far the "Cash For Clunkers" program is off to a great start, it ran out of money. Congress jumped in and added an additional 2 billion to the program before heading off for vacation. Guess they should have planned ahead, when ever anyone offers free money there's going to be a lot of people line up to get their share. I was at a Dealership doing an inspection and they had all their CFC cars lined up in front of the Dealership, about 35 or so, and at least 25 of them were better cars than what I drive and these will be shredded. I know a lot of people that would have liked to have one that good. And I would guess most of them didn't get that bad of gas mileage. My old clunker, a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, is still running at 440,375 miles and gets 31-32 miles per gallon on the road. I'm trying to get at least 500,00 out of it before I retire it. Everything is original and have replace head gaskets 1 time, a water pump and fuel pump and brakes about 5 times other than that just regular oil changes and filters. Who says American made cars don't last! |
