Do you putz around in your beater getting less than 18 mpg? Are you in the market for a new vehicle? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you might be eligible for the "Cash for Clunkers" rebate that was just approved by the House (it still has to get through the Senate).
The vouchers are worth $3,500 or $4,500, depending on how much better gas mileage the new vehicle achieves.
See if your whip qualifies and if it's an economical move below.
List of Vehicles Eligible for "Cash for Clunkers" Rebate
estreka says:
06:52 PM, 06/11/09
Some changes need to be made, otherwise the revenue generated from the program won't even fit the bill required to write it.
drhorrible says:
05:51 AM, 06/12/09
Damn, my wife's 1999 Olds Cutlass Supreme doesn't qualify.
brn says:
06:17 AM, 06/12/09
I'm still fuming on this idiocy.
flicmod says:
10:04 AM, 06/12/09
Idiocy is right, brn.
The collateral effects of this legislation is bad news. It takes perfectly good vehicles off the road that would otherwise be very well suited for an owner that can't afford anything newer that gets better MPG. It serves only to hurt the poor and the used car market.
This bill will make used cars more scarce, which will raise prices of used cars, which will further affect those in the market for them. It offers unfair prices for some vehicles and could force dealers to raise the amount they're willing to pay for trade ins, which hurts the bottom line of their businesses.
It makes absolutely no sense to pass this bill. There are absolutely no rewards for it. Not even those "upgrading" from their old cars, because they're paying the taxes that go towards the rebates anyhow, while using taxes from other people who aren't even in the market for a new car.
compliance says:
12:46 PM, 06/12/09
Hey, what's up with the 99 Plymouth Voyager being on the list but not the 98? My mom will be sad :(
hollowtek says:
02:23 PM, 06/12/09
From the looks of the senate version, the Cash For Clunkers bill isn't going to help anyone! According the the senate version of the bill, you will need to be getting at least 13+ mpg or better on a passenger car in order to receive the $4500 voucher. That would mean you'd have to have a seriously gas hungry passenger car to qualify. On top of that, you'd have to get rid of a car that's worthless on the market in order to be fully taking advantage of this bill. Most people that own cars like those are lower income families that can't even insure their cars. In my opinion, there aren't even half a million people who will qualify to take advantage of this in the united states. This bill won't make any change to the environment, especially if their hopes are aimed at the unlikely >1% of the population that actually do qualify. What's sad is that this bill offers no provisions for the purchase of a motorcycle. Noble, but not realistic.
Though how luck would have it, I just so happen to have an 86 BMW 325is that's been driven daily for the past 23 years.
paul544 says:
08:47 AM, 06/13/09
Trust me folks. This is just the beginning. Soon it won't be optional to have to turn in older cars or you'll have to pay a premium in taxes. The libs want you out of your cars and that's all there is to it.
the_big_al says:
01:13 AM, 06/16/09
This is a bad idea. And I am actually one that would qualify. At least the vehicle I would replace would qualify. My 2001 S-10 is on the list, but there are several reasons I don't want to get rid of it.
A) It is paid off.
B) It runs well even at 120K. Has a few problems but nothing a saturday under the shade tree won't fix.
C) If I were to replace it I would replace it with a like-vehicle. Another truck-preferably a full-size. So I probably wouldn't qualify unless I got a base model with the smallest engine available to meet the MPG requirements. I doubt even a small truck equipped comparably to what I have now would qualify. I would have to "downgrade" in order to do so.
D) I could sell it for more than $4500 and buy what ever I want. The vehicle wouldn't be scrapped and be in the hands of another who could still put it to use. Even selling privately at $4500 still keeps it on the road and in good use and I still get $4500 to put towards anything I want.
E) I don't want to get rid of my truck.