Cash for Clunkers...

To sorta piggyback on something gewcew is talking about, it doesn't really appear to me that this program is getting gas guzzlers off the street, per se. I think it is boosting the automotive industry, however. From what I understand about the program, it's essentially a run-of-the-mill trade-in feature that allows people to get a few thousand down toward a new vehicle, only they're not being selective about it. I don't think it's a bad thing at all. If it helps boost the economy, even though it seems to be dealing in more long-term credit, it might produce some much-needed short-term gain. I believe it's a good program, my only semi-beef with it is that the government is using taxpayer stimulus to do it, right? Ugg. I don't like the government and the auto industry being this close. I just really don't. It makes me feel as if the government's not trying to get out of the auto industry, they're just pushing further in. The silver lining, I guess, is that funding is from already allocated stimulus funding, so no new spending bills have to be rushed through and passed at 3am -- allegedy! lol

and some of the critcisims is from environmentalists who say that it doesnt go far enough, because of what gew cew said, it only forces you to upgrade by 1 mpg. My girlfriend's father for instance, couldnt exchange it, because his old car had to low MPG, so that means that its still out there prowling the streets somewhere. (and he just got a newer model of what he had before). Still, you have to consider that there will be people who actually do make major upgrades to their vechicles. plus how can you go wrong in boosting the automotive industry when its having such troubles?

How exactly is this program getting gas guzzlers off the street? All you have to do is trade in an automobile that get less than an EPA estimated 18 mpg for something that get more than an EPA estimated 18 mpg. You can have a 2000 Chevy Silverado and trade it in for a 2009 Chevy Silverado. If you have an automobile that get more than an EPA estimate 18 mpg you are out of luck. If you want to trade in an auto that gets 20 mpg for something that get 40 mpg you are out of luck!

I think this is a great idea, it could also save the country billions in energy consumption. It also will help spur the economy, and increase production of automobiles. This is great for the area that I live in where the automobile industry is huge, and really helps the local economy alot. I think this is a great thing for the economy, and the country. I am 100% for it.

i think it is good because then there will be more people getting cars and there will be more jobs saved because they will be makeing more . i think maybe they shoul lower the amount from 45 to maybe 25 or 30 that way they may not run out of funds so fast but i know they won't do that,

Well I am happy about it and disappointed as well. I'm happy about it because it is boosting the auto industry, saving jobs, and enabling more long term success for the dealerships, as people are purchasing new vehicles and with that comes new 3-5 year contracts. In some cases people are turning in their vehicles for more fuel efficient ones while others are just getting a newer model of the one they already had. My disappointment is that for someone like myself who has a 1996 dodge caravan that does qualify for the program, my income limitations and credit make it near impossible for me to participate. I think they should make the program work to where someone like myself can also come in and trade in a vehicle like mine for even a used vehicle that gets better mileage and maybe puts out less emissions too. For example if I could trade in my caravan, get a decent rebate for it plus pay a little bit of cash say $800 or $1,000 for a used 4 door 4 cyl. vehicle that maybe 22 mpg rather than 18 and not be stuck with 2 or 3 years of payments. I am glad though that they have the program going it does seem to be working to an extent and is providing positive effects for the industry.