Cash for Clunkers ending.

PatchworkMan · 08-21-2009, 08:24 AM

I'm not really surprised. There was really no way to pay for this in the first place. It was a good idea, but all good ideas are expensive, and the Obama administration has far too many good ideas for its own good.

Bryan · 08-21-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scared2mosh

I actually hadn't thought of that... but that idea is far superior to having acid poured into the engine of every "clunker"... many of which were still in great condition. (not ours... it had over 200k miles and was stripped apart. I have pix to prove it

)

still this program could have been a double edged sword. Tax deduction on new vehicles (good for car companies/ consumers) free cars for the poor (good for poor without killing the government at the same time)

I think they made too much of their focus with this program "Being Green"

too much? That was the whole point, wasn't it? to get cars that dump buttloads of crap into our air off the streets.

**Thrash** · 08-21-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

too much? That was the whole point, wasn't it? to get cars that dump buttloads of crap into our air off the streets.

No, the main point was to try to stimulate the auto industry.
I think "being green" was just a nice little addition because whenever someone mentions "going green" it makes their operation seem more noble.
Now Al Gore is happy. Yay.

**Epaphras** · 08-21-2009, 09:20 AM

I hope all the dealers get reimbursed. I've heard that only a small percentage have actually received checks so far. What a shame for the government to essentially put more dealers out of business by not delivering on their promised reimbursement.

I also am worried about people who will rush out impulsively this weekend to buy a car they cannot truly afford. Scarcity (in this case, of time) creates artificial demand and hysteria, and honestly I think a lot of people are going to regret these purchases in the next few months as the payments start kicking in.

Keep an eye on the repo lot in the next 3-6 months for some great deals.

tlj009 · 08-21-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

No, the main point was to try to stimulate the auto industry.
I think "being green" was just a nice little addition because whenever someone mentions "going green" it makes their operation seem more noble.
Now Al Gore is happy. Yay.

Yeah, because if "being green" was the main point, the government could have given grants to outfit 100,000 homes with solar panels. That way you help the lower income households by lowering their utility bills and increasing the value of their house, create jobs for the solar panel companies and contractors to install them, and become a little more green in the process. And the brilliant part about that is that there is already a government agency set up to improve low income housing, USDA.

**Ridley's Own** · 08-21-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlj009

Yeah, because if "being green" was the main point, the government could have given grants to outfit 100,000 homes with solar panels.

You mean like the Nonbusiness Energy Production Tax Credit? The tax credit that provided up to $2000 for homes to purchase photovoltaics? Really? That one? The tax credit that would have been extended from 31 December 2008 but was actually filibustered by Senate Republicans? Really? That one? (It's now in force until 2016). Or do you mean the provision in the stimulus act that now has no cap on the tax credit for installing photovoltaics up to 2016?

Quote:

And the brilliant part about that is that there is already a government agency set up to improve low income housing, USDA.

The US Department of Agriculture is improving low-income housing?!? I think you mean DHUD, or the Department of Housing and Urban Development...

**redbaron** · 08-21-2009, 05:13 PM

if the real issue were being green it would be to give a credit to people with well maintained older, efficient cars. Producing new vehicles and then destroying old ones has a considerable impact outside of the whole EM PEE GEE thing that everyone sees at the pump.

I just look forward to paying for all the other balaam's steed's who couldn't pay for their own car so now I'm buying brand new cars for them. Really, the best way to get out of a big recession is to LOAD UP ON MORE DEBT!! YEAH! woo!

If they were serious about decreasing fuel consumption (not just MPG) by reducing traffic, they should've given the credit to people who ditched their cars for motorcycles/scooters since you increase vehicle density (in a given area of highway) which then decreases traffic, reducing congestion travel times, reducing gallons burned. win/win/win

TunerSteve · 08-21-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rabid Mint

I just look forward to paying for all the other balaam's steed's who couldn't pay for their own car so now I'm buying brand new cars for them.

Aside from the fact that my finances make it impossible for me to take part in the clunkers "deal" I am now faced with the likelihood that used car prices (the only kind of car I might be able to afford) will inflate at a steeper rate due to 1/2 million older vehicles that are going to be crushed.

**redbaron** · 08-21-2009, 06:10 PM

yeah, it's pretty awesome. I would be way better off getting in on CFC with my 4runner (since it's not worth $4500) but any car that's a legit replacement (needs to have good cargo room and ground clearance for camping/hiking/snowboarding/etc) still puts the payment way higher than I can stomach at the moment.

As such, I'm just going to save up some cash and buy a nice used car next year when I can afford it. Delayed gratification is a mystery in this land of ours.

**scared2mosh** · 08-21-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rabid Mint

Delayed gratification is a mystery in this land of ours.

Indeed... that's part of the reason we are currently in so much trouble economically IMO...

Hopeful · 08-21-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunerSteve

Aside from the fact that my finances make it impossible for me to take part in the clunkers "deal" I am now faced with the likelihood that used car prices (the only kind of car I might be able to afford) will inflate at a steeper rate due to 1/2 million older vehicles that are going to be crushed.

And again, the ordinary citizen has not benefitted. I'm sure this program had more input from the auto makers and the unions than the public. Even the auto dealers have been impacted by the slow payment habits of the government.

That's the government for you - they break your leg first and then provide you with a crutch.

tlj009 · 08-24-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

You mean like the Nonbusiness Energy Production Tax Credit? The tax credit that provided up to $2000 for homes to purchase photovoltaics? Really? That one? The tax credit that would have been extended from 31 December 2008 but was actually filibustered by Senate Republicans? Really? That one? (It's now in force until 2016). Or do you mean the provision in the stimulus act that now has no cap on the tax credit for installing photovoltaics up to 2016?

What about them? I think the tax credits are great, but are not advertised so people simply don't know about them. But I was saying that $3 billion is enough to completely outfit 100,000 homes ($30,000 each). That is a little different than giving a tax credit of 10% or even 30%.

Quote:

The US Department of Agriculture is improving low-income housing?!?

Yes.

Quote:

I think you mean DHUD, or the Department of Housing and Urban Development...

That just depends on whether we are talking about Urban areas or Rural areas. I was thinking rural areas, since that is where I live.