Bob
SoWal Insider
bad gas
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clunkers program done already?
- Thread starter Bob
- Start date
sunspotbaby
SoWal Insider
jensieblue
Beach Fanatic
Remember the circumstances during the time this program was initiated. The economy was and continues to be in the tanks. People were scared, scared, scared. I think this program was less of a green program than a small touch of valium for those of us whose savings were being sucked into the sewer and was an attempt to "do something positive" We had just had months of the W packing and twiddling his thumbs. The auto industries were in the tank, and there was a strong sense that nobody cared or had a clue. I think inaction causes paralysis and this was an attempt to get the county's heart pumping again.
hnooe
Beach Fanatic
30ashopper
SoWal Insider
SJ - you think the program isn't green because while they are encouraging trading in vehicles for those with lower emissions and higher mileage, they aren't selling them for parts?
What exactly are they doing w/ the trade ins? Recycling the metal? Letting them rot in junkyards? I find it hard to believe they aren't using them for parts.
"Dealers would send the Cash for Clunkers trade-ins to a salvage operator. The legislation requires the engine, transmission and other drivetrain components to be destroyed so they can’t be reused and continue to pollute the air and burn excessive amounts of fuel.
Salvage operators would be free to resell other vehicle parts, however, which could be used to repair other vehicles or recycled as scrap and used to manufacture other products."
Interesting note, what you see happening in the videos above is a requirement in the legislation. The dealers have to blow up the engine before sending it to the scrap yard. Go figure.
http://www.cars.gov/files/6265_EngineDisablementProcedures.pdf
http://www.cars.gov/dealer/faq
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30ashopper
SoWal Insider
I'll avoid the Bush bashing
and just add that from reading up on this, it's clearly meant to remove cars from the road so that people will purchase new autos. This was primarily aimed at helping the auto industry out. There's really no "green" gain to this, it's simply an auto sales stimulus program.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
SJ - you think the program isn't green because while they are encouraging trading in vehicles for those with lower emissions and higher mileage, they aren't selling them for parts?
What exactly are they doing w/ the trade ins? Recycling the metal? Letting them rot in junkyards? I find it hard to believe they aren't using them for parts.
My understanding is that they cannot by law use them for parts. The dealers are required to destroy the autos, not too different than GM destroying the Electric Car back in the early eighties. If I'm on a tight budget and my vehicle which gets 18 mpg, has transmission problems, thanks to this program, I will be left with only one option, buying a new transmission which will likely cost more than my car is worth, and it will simply mean more $$$ in the pockets of the dealership and the parts company, while burning more energy to produce the new transmission. Why the gov't requires the auto to be destroyed shows a lack of thought, except for the thought that they need to pay back the automakers for their lobbying efforts to get "friendly" politicians in office.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
... or as it was originally shoved into legislation, consider it "Emergency War Funding."I'll avoid the Bush bashing
At least it is helping stimulate the auto industry, I mean the "NEW Car" auto industry. I'm sure that used car salesman will be looking for new jobs in this market when people would have been expected to be buying used autos rather than new.
Alicia Leonard
SoWal Insider
I'm disappointed it didn't allow you to buy used. There are many good used cars that get much better mileage than my 1993 Chevy and I could save more buying used. Guess I'll have to wait for some of these to get repo'ed.
Lynnie
SoWal Insider
Do I get to trade in my Ho for a shiney new discounted Ho? Groovy! Although, I wouldn't do it...........I did give an old International away to charity and didn't even claim it on my taxes as I was advised that it red flags those boys at the IRS to order an audit. Just gonna keep my old clunker and let everybody else get the benefits from the government printing US Tender.