The EPA says it "refreshed" some of its fuel economy ratings for older vehicles on Friday. The update bumped up the combined fuel economy rating for certain models.
As a result, some consumers who looked up their cars on Thursday and determined that they met the 18-mpg maximum for the Cash for Clunkers (Car Allowance Rebate System - CARS) program, arrived at dealerships on Saturday to find out they'd been disqualified from the list.
Edmunds.com received complaints from owners of a 1993 Toyota Camry V6 wagon, 1992 Saab 900S automatic hatchback and 1988 Toyota 4Runner 2.4L manual, all of which are now listed at 19 mpg combined and are therefore ineligible for a voucher.
No explanation yet from the EPA, but Auto Observer and Edmunds.com are monitoring the issue.
Auto Observer: Another Cash for Clunker Glitch: Mileage Ratings Change, Disqualifying Some Deals
jederino says:
02:47 PM, 07/27/09
STOOOPID! Only way to describe this absurdly wasteful, and unfair, program. This program rewards or punishes motorists for past decisions on car purchases, and rewards a select few for marginal EPA gains. I don't agree with handouts, but a more fair way would be to offer anyone purchasing a 45 mpg vehicle a $2,000 cash-back incentive. This could bring more efficient vehicles onto American roads, making them widely available to thrifty used-car consumers in 3-5 years.
Reminds me of the non-fiction book "Cape Wind", which gives an account of how the rich and famous and politically connected thwarted a wind-electric plant in Nantucket Sound, playground of the wealthy. I recently begain reading it, and you realize that even so-called Environmental champions such as Senator Ted Kennedy are very hypocritical and incompetent, and killed a science-based green power plant that would have cleaned pollution in Massachusets and created good jobs. This program is another non-scienced-based approach that merely keeps legislators in power.
06scooby says:
05:09 PM, 07/27/09
I just heard someone that was featured on the news "Tons of people have flocked to take advantage of the CARS program!" This person interviewed was all excited and said they traded their 2002 Chevy Blazer 4x4 in and got $4500 towards a new Vibe!!! i'm like uhhh... i'm pretty sure that his Blazer was worth more than that... and that's one less cash car that a teenager or person who cares not to go into massive debt could have bought...
dg0472 says:
05:52 AM, 07/28/09
KBB trade-in value on an '02 Blazer LS 2dr 4x4 with 84,000mi with 4.3L V6 with typical equipment is $3,375. So don't be so sure. And what's so bad about keeping a broke teen new to driving out of an SUV with a bad record for single-car wrecks?
stingray454 says:
07:08 AM, 07/28/09
This whole program is a reflection of Congress and Obama's administration who created it: DUMB.
redliner says:
08:22 AM, 07/28/09
ugh. This program is nothing more than a PR stunt by uncle Sam's minions.
06scooby says:
08:41 AM, 07/28/09
I did look at the value after I posted that... I would have thought it was worth a little more than that. But if I had a teenager that would be a perfect ride for him here where we get snow and i'd rather my teen cruise around in something with 4x4.
canadia says:
10:28 AM, 07/28/09
This topic has been discussed time and again on this site, in one form or another.
To those above and below this post: Please read about the program before posting asinine remarks... the main intent of this bill was NOT to motivate the purchase of small, fuel efficient cars, but to stimulate domestic auto sales by allowing people with old trucks/SUVs to trade them in for newer, more fuel efficient ones. And so far, it's been doing just that.
dg0472 says:
08:44 PM, 07/28/09
OK, according to what an EPA official told "The Detroit News", it's basically a rounding issue as required by the new law. See:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090728/AUTO01/907280438/1148/rss25