Hold on to your "clunker" for just a little while...

[Dan Schultz]

My old reliable '92 Olds Cutlass Cierra looks like unmitigated hell and has over 180,000 miles on it. I thought about trying to do a 'cash for clunkers' deal but according to the govmint mileage standards, it doesn't qualify.... listing 18mpg city and 29mpg highway. Well... the guvmint is 100% correct. This car gets an astonishing 27mpg average... BETTER than most of the trash on the market that's capable of pulling a band trailer loaded with stuff. I'm just gonna keep 'old Christine' for a while yet.

[ken k]

that fuel economy thing is another thing about the CFC deal that sucks. so those of us who buy economical cars get screwed. We can't get the rebate because we were not wasteful.
k

[tbn.al]

I'm just gonna keep 'old Christine' for a while yet.

My car trading philosphy has been the same for years. I buy what I want to drive for a long time irrespective of price. I get as good a deal as I can on a quality demo or late model used car that I can be happy with. I don't trade it for 10 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first. It's cheaper to fix it than trade it in almost every instance. With my philosphy the cash for clunkers just doesn't make any sense, especially since I have to pay for the damned program so someone else can buy a new car. "Cash for Clunkers" is total BS.

[TubaRay]

But guys...Cash for Clunkers has been "an overwhelming success."

[Dan Schultz]

I'm just gonna keep 'old Christine' for a while yet.

.... "Cash for Clunkers" is total BS.

I agree. The only way I would consider trying to take advantage of such a program would be if I was already looking to buy another car. I think this program has probably 'duped' folks into going into debt who really shouldn't be looking for a new car. Those kinds of deals are what got this country in trouble in the first place. We're ALL gonna end up paying for it.

[ken k]

Also I heard that they had to increase the staffing of the bureau that was administering the program and much of the $ went to pay for the extra workers, since the powers that be did not plan for enough paper shufflers.

k

[TUBAD83]

I have a 11 year old caddie land yacht which I found on ebay 2 years ago and purchased for about 5k in cash. Paid about 3k for repairs and a new set of tires and it runs perfectly and is kept in excellent condition. My brother bought a new 35k mini suv and has a 60 month note @ 650 per. Stop supporting these banks and finance companies--they don't give a **** about you, just YOUR MONEY.

To quote George Bernard Shaw: "Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve"

[Matt G]

If people only knew the amount of energy required just to make a car and bring it to market, they would be appalled.

My biggest issue is that the drivetrains are rendered unusable buy running liquid glass through the intake. All of those motors could have been useful parts for many people at the local pick 'n pull. The body panels and other parts may be available, although I have seen photographic proof of a <10 yo vehicle going directly to the crusher.

For all of us that continue to purchase cars that routinely get around 25+ mpg in mixed driving (and over 30 mpg on the highway), what do we receive? The same thing that those of us who bought houses within our means of practical size: additional burden for being a responsible citizen.

[cjk]

...
My biggest issue is that the drivetrains are rendered unusable buy running liquid glass through the intake. All of those motors could have been useful parts for many people at the local pick 'n pull. The body panels and other parts may be available, although I have seen photographic proof of a <10 yo vehicle going directly to the crusher.

....

The oil is drained and replaced by a 40% sodium silicate/60% water solution.

http://www.cars.gov/files/6265_EngineDi ... edures.pdf" target="_blank

[cjk]

.... My brother bought a new 35k mini suv and has a 60 month note @ 650 per. Stop supporting these banks and finance companies--they don't give a **** about you, just YOUR MONEY.
....

It almost sounds like you're blaming banks for your brother's lousy decision.

[TUBAD83]

.... My brother bought a new 35k mini suv and has a 60 month note @ 650 per. Stop supporting these banks and finance companies--they don't care about you, just YOUR MONEY.
....

It almost sounds like you're blaming banks for your brother's lousy decision.

I don't blame the banks at all--just giving an example of a bad decision that lots of people make. People get "hooked" on that new car and don't think about how much they are really going to pay for it. Think about this: if we, as a people, do not exercise fiscal responsibility how can we expect our government to do the same?

[Matt G]

The oil is drained and replaced by a 40% sodium silicate/60% water solution.

http://www.cars.gov/files/6265_EngineDi ... edures.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank

Whatever the process is, it still isn't environmentally friendly nor prudent.

[cjk]

.... Think about this: if we, as a people, do not exercise fiscal responsibility how can we expect our government to do the same?

Take a look at this:
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/repo ... histo4.htm" target="_blank

And this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pr ... ted_States" target="_blank

No administration in recent history has ever decreased the national debt.

It actually decreased between 1950 and 1951, but it ended up larger than it started during that administration (Truman, 1945 to 1953).

So, IMHO, no administration in recent history has ever exercised fiscal responsibility.