Comments for Cash For Clunkers Postmortem

Comment on Post Cash for Clunkers Discussion Forum by Gregory Muro

Gregory Muro — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:19:28 +0000

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Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Thomas Jackson

Thomas Jackson — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:55:05 +0000

This is great in terms of search engines. Nada seems to annoy against them than this.Amusingly enough, this is exactly what was talked about several years ago at the big hack con about google in 1994!

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Peter Franklin

Peter Franklin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:55:04 +0000

This is good in terms of search engines. Nothing seems to rag against them compared to that!Amusingly enough, this is exactly was talked about several years prior at the blackhat about google some number of years ago in 1994!

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Glenn Younie

Glenn Younie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:24:29 +0000

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Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Patrice Keo

Patrice Keo — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:46:30 +0000

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Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Ira Madagan

Ira Madagan — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:23:52 +0000

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Comment on Automotive Stimulus by Wm K.

Wm K. — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:16:25 +0000

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Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by Bankruptcy Blog

Bankruptcy Blog — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:12:22 +0000

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Comment on Speak Up Forum by matte black cars

matte black cars — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:13:01 +0000

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Comment on Consumers Send NHTSA Their Cash for Clunkers Message by Randy B.

Randy B. — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 06:00:48 +0000

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Comment on Automotive Stimulus by Kristopher Baez

Kristopher Baez — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:44:13 +0000

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Comment on Automotive Stimulus by submit article

submit article — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:27:33 +0000

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Comment on Speak Up Forum by Cliltpeta

Cliltpeta — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:54:57 +0000

Take!!!! Anybody be informed of a respected lender that YOU in one’s own view be suffering with used in the past? Privation recommendations fast.

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by kt

kt — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:02:26 +0000

Hi guys, just to let you know, I used to post a ton here in the beginnning, but slowed down after i received my car.

I was verbally told that they’d send out a check for the metal scrap value, but they never sent the check, and have ignored my email since.

For those that are wondering, I filed a complaint via BBB, and behold, the panic dealership decides to write a check and even send me documentation of the scraps. I suggest everyone else does the same. Dealers hate the BBB.

Feel free to contact me if you need assistance.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by KT

KT — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:01:35 +0000

Hi guys, just to let you know, I used to post a ton here in the beginnning, but slowed down after i received my car.

I was verbally told that they’d send out a check for the metal scrap value, but they never sent the check, and have ignored my email since.

Feel free to contact me if you need assistance.

Comment on Automotive Stimulus by wael kfoury

wael kfoury — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:28:52 +0000

Clearly your open minded and receptive to other ideas. Many people in the online community are a little more totalitarian. added to my socialbookmark Of course– and I probably shouldn’t even have to say this– people are free to run their own websites as they see fit. But I get the highest value from blogs where either the author’s writing is so outstanding that the lack of comments isn’t material a combination of good writing and good comments leaving my personal Research weblog if you dont mind

Comment on Automotive Stimulus by Lemuel Billups

Lemuel Billups — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:04:36 +0000

yeah, this is a good blog bookmarked

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by laptop repair service

laptop repair service — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:49:04 +0000

It’s always pleasant to stumble onto a new site this terrific. I will be coming back for sure.

Comment on Consumers Send NHTSA Their Cash for Clunkers Message by Tyson F. Gautreaux

Tyson F. Gautreaux — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:35:59 +0000

Thank you so much, there aren’t enough posts on this… or at least i cant find them. I am turning into such a blog nut, I just cant get enough and this is such an important topic… i’ll be sure to write something about your site

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Denise Davis

Denise Davis — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:28:38 +0000

Will there be another Cash For Clunkers Program in 2010? I hope so because I need a car and my old car is costing me in repairs and everytime I have it repair something else needs repair.

Comment on Speak Up Forum by julie

julie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:15:04 +0000

Oregon’s Attorney General is investigating dealers who withheld scrap value for C4C trade vehicles. 2 dealers in Portland have been ordered to return scrap value, less the allowed $50. Other dealers are claiming they sold the vehicles for $50 rather than do due dilligence to get maximum value for their customers.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Carla

Carla — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:56:01 +0000

Thank God for this wonderful program. I would have never been able to buy a brand new car. My 1999 Ford piece of crap Windstar was about to blow up and I had no money for a new one or a down payment. I got 4500 for my clunker and another 4500 in dealer rebates. I paid 1/2 price for my 2009 Dodge Caliber. There are alot of haters that didn’t agree with this rebate, but this really helped me and I am soooo appreciative for the blessing. Thank you Obama!!!

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Debbie Bond

Debbie Bond — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:57:21 +0000

Please bring this program back, our economy needs this again. I did qualified for the Cash for Clunkers but it was over before the chance to look into it. I can not afford the large monthly payment without the rebate. It helps reduce the payment of a new car so it is do able. My car was purchase new and is 15 years old and really need to get a new one. Bringing back this bill would be a good for the economy and help me get into a new car that is badly needed. Husband is disabled and not a option otherwise.

Thanks,

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Scott

Scott — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:16:28 +0000

Please bring this program back, our economy needs this again

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by Ashleigh

Ashleigh — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:33:42 +0000

i think you should do another cash for clunkers deal!!! i missed the date barley. i would’ve owned my car a year on november 3, 2009!!!!

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by matt

matt — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:31:55 +0000

annette just tell them to lick your butthole you got the good deal and are happy

Comment on Speak Up Forum by pete axcell

pete axcell — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:56:07 +0000

My Honda Accord just turned 20 this week with 261,000 miles.
It did not qualify for the clunkers program because it still gets – as it always has – 33 mpg !

How outrageous to think some irresponsible jackass who bought an over sized gas guzzling piece of crap just a few years ago will be rewarded for their behavior while the real environmentally conscious few get screwed.

If the government really wanted those vehicles off the road and new ones purchased, they should have taxed or fined the polluters and wasters. Those clunkers would have disappeared in a year and the government would have made money instead of giving it away – to the WRONG people!

How about giving me $9000 to just keep driving the car I have since I’ve emitted less than 1/2 the pollution most others have for the last 20 years?

Where are the other responsible people like me who got screwed? speak up – contact your congressman/woman and demand your $ !

This whole program just reeks of stupidity

Bail out the banks because the greedy crooks who mismanaged our money shouldnt be responsible for their actions.
Bail out the mortgage industry – same reason
Bail out those poor homeowners who got in over their heads, gee they just didnt know what they were doing.
And now, bail out the idiots who bought crappy wasteful over sized vehicles just to soothe their egos.

last time I checked capitalism was about “survival of the fittest” not “bail out the greedy and the stupid”

D I S C U S T I N G !

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by marcus

marcus — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:09:39 +0000

Annette…your story gets more odd the more you explain the rationale for signing two contracts. This board is for taking legal action (meaining filing a law suit against a dealer) and it does not sound like you had to go that far. Wearing a dealer out through complaining sounds like the action taken, and it worked. That’s good, but hardly using the legal system–see the header for this board.

Comment on Consumer Messages to Congress on CARS Program by Therese

Therese — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:19:25 +0000

ONCE AGAIN THEY HAVE FAILED TO HELP THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY, REALLY NEED HELP!!! We are the millions who have a skilled talent “We live within our means”….We don’t buy homes we cannot afford and we don’t spend money that we do not have…at shopping malls…on things we do not need. Remember us, the responsible ones!!! We are the ones who really do drive “clunkers”, but cannot afford a new car. A commercial comes to mind about a teenager who doesn’t want to use “unused” minutes because they are old. We have managed to, once again, justify the narcissistic mentality of entitlement that we have in this country that we must have it “now” and “new”. Congratulations..on doing your part to continue this madness into the next generation!!

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by Annette

Annette — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:12:34 +0000

One further note – the denial of the first app was not due to anything I did wrong. It was the error of the dealership, and THAT is why I got my $ and my deal.

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by Annette

Annette — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:09:59 +0000

Marcus…

Man, you really don’t know anything about this program or contract law, do you? I mean NOTHING!!!

I’ll try to put it as simply as I can for you to understand. First, you need to know the situation – cars – good, qualifying autos, were being sold at a tremendous pace. As fast as I could locate a vehicle in 3 surrounding states, it would be gone before I could even get there.

The dealership was not completing any contract until they received approval AND $$ from the Fed, which was a clear violation, but hey.
The JCW Mini Clubman is an excellent yet hard to come by vehicle in our area, and International had it. I was NOT going to leave the vehicle, because there was little doubt that International would sell it to someone else without a CARS deal.

I insisted on the two contracts for the sole purpose of getting possession of the car. It was a contingency – if the CARS deal was not approved, the “non Cars” contract would take effect. I knew absolutely I qualified. I also know absolutely that International was not submitting correctly and that my app would not be approved as submitted.

As soon as I received the title for the car, I contacted International and demanded the CARS deal.

So, wise one, there really was nothing irrational about any of this. Except, perhaps, your obsession on criticizing people who actually took action to ensure the desired outcome.

Annette

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Lateef Baaset

Lateef Baaset — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:23:48 +0000

I had searched around the CARS website which I thought was very easy to use and informative. I came up with a 2009 Chevy Equinox as a trade up. When a car was finally found I was called to Thornton Chevrolet in Atlanta. While I was there I saw the 2010 Equinox and fell head over heads for it. That was the car I wound up buying. Plus, I got $3,500 trade in for my 1995 Mercury Village that had 315k miles! I doubt that I would have gotten $100 for it on the open market. I now have a great new car that should last me through the next couple of more years.

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by marcus

marcus — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:59:58 +0000

Annette…glad you got your money back. I think the dealer realized that going to court against a mentally challenged plaintiff would be bad press. The evidence would support that situation–signing two contracts is not something a person in their right mind would do.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by Alessandra

Alessandra — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:42:51 +0000

I have an old old Honda that is hanging on by a string which means I’m driving around in an unsafe car. I was told I would not qualify because the gas milage is too good. I think it is a travesty to punish the people who have been doing what they can to keep things clean and reward those who have been polluting the environment and not really giving a damn about it. Something is just not right with how this was handled.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by Don Rywolt

Don Rywolt — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:27:27 +0000

I was told that the government would only allow $3500 for my vehicle under the cash for clunkers program and no trade in allowance as vehicle would become virtually worthless once engine was pickled. I see vehicle on the road with new plate number Ct plate 655XRE. Are dealers double dipping?

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by Annette K

Annette K — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:10:26 +0000

Blow them grits, baby…

Received the cash back… and the Dept of Trans is investigating them for deceit and fraud.

I can and DO take care of myself quite nicely, thank you.

Duh.

Annette

Comment on Speak Up Forum by Dyaln Doxey

Dyaln Doxey — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:11:19 +0000

I was just collecting some facts and crunching some numbers.
This looks like a good place to share.

1 gallon of gas = 20 lbs carbon emission

Price of gas Sep 27, 1999: 124.8¢ (eia.doe.gov)
Price of gas Sep 28, 2009: 242.5¢

That’s an increase of 117.7¢ or 94.31% in the last ten years.

Projected price of gas Sep 28, 2019: 471.2¢

Average price of gas during the next ten years: 356.85¢

$2.877 billion invested in CFC program

690,114 cars sold under CFC program

15.8 mpg to 24.9 mpg average gas mileage improvement

Typical car life expectancy: 10 years

690,114 cars x 10,000 annual miles = 6,901,140,000 miles

6,901,140,000 miles x 10 years = 69,011,400,000 miles over ten years

69,011,400,000 miles ÷ 15.8 mpg = 4,367,810,126.58 gallons

69,011,400,000 miles ÷ 24.9 mpg = 2,771,542,168.67 gallons

1,596,267,957.91 gallons saved

1,596,267,957.91 gallons x 356.85¢ = $5,696,296,175.15 savings

1,596,267,957.91 gallons x 20 lbs carbon = 15,962,679.58 tons carbon

Bottom line:

Over the next ten years, this year’s $2.877 billion investment returns in 15.96 fewer tons carbon emitted, and around $5.7 billion in consumer savings.

Unfortunately these numbers pale in comparison to the overall number of cars on the road.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Allowance_Rebate_System
“Car Mania” by Winfried Wolf
http://www.eia.doe.gov/
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/aug2009/db2009085_823256.htm

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by marcus

marcus — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:12:56 +0000

Annette…I just about blew my grits laughing at that one. You signed two contracts…duh, let’s see, which one will the dealer use? They could claim the other one did not exist, or some other story. Unless your legs are missing, you should have walked.

You do something dumb and there are consequences. Your political attempt shows you cannot take care of yourself–maybe it’s time for a special home so all your needs can be met?

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by marcus

marcus — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:08:12 +0000

Will…you failed to state what you signed…the contract you signed will prevail. If it is your favor (doubtful) you win…otherwise you’ll be in court or your car repo’d.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by marcus

marcus — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:04:36 +0000

Too funny how many folks are getting burned because of not being financially responsible with their annual registrations. You took the chance driving expired, now you lose on the stimulus. It was in the rules.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by Mohamed Ouda

Mohamed Ouda — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:49:03 +0000

I went to a Honda dealer in Snellville GA I took my clunker and title & I gave it to them & I asked if my car is good for the program they said that it was on Sat 8/1/09. I told them if my car was not ilegable for the progrm I do not want the car they said your car is good to go. they made 2 contracts on the same date for the same car with 2 differrant prices & when I went to the finance office sign here & sign there when I went home I started reading I found out that I signed two contracts I went back on monday to ask why they said that they said in case your car was not approved & it is not so I wanted my car back they said you signed the contract it is yours I put stop on the check.they are holding the title & they wanted payment for the finance part of the deal but on which contract. I wrote to the consumer affairs & the BBB they claim that they offerd me my car back & I refused.why do’nt they take it back since I only drove it 1.5 mile & it is setting in my garage since I coudn’t register it I have never seen such liers. any help.

Comment on Consumers Taking Legal Action After Cash for Clunkers by Will

Will — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:52:02 +0000

I bought my car from Honda of Thousand Oaks on Aug 11th and everything looks like it was going beautifully until on Sept 14th the dealer started to call to say that there was a lapse in the insurance from Sept to Nov so it now doesn’t qualify for the C4C anymore. The dealer started to call every day while I was on vacation and when I came back they continued to harass me by saying they are going to sue me and that I have to go in pay them the $3500. I called the CARS hotline and found that the dealer shouldn’t of released the car over to use in the first place without doing the proper verification. These dealers should have received training and documentation on how to proceed with the verification from the government. Because the dealer didn’t do their due diligence now they are asking for $3500 or they will take legal action. Can they really pursue legal action because isn’t it the responsibility of the dealers to verify if a car is qualified or not before the release of a vehicle?

Comment on Speak Up Forum by Chris #2

Chris #2 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:59:19 +0000

(2) My kids are being taught heavily in school about reduce, reuse, recycle. That is all great. But we should be intelligent enough to build things worthy of lasting a great length of time and also use them until they are all used up… then recycle them. For this reason a well built Honda Accord can still be on the road 20 years later getting 25-30 mpg and still serving as valid transportation. Even a 3/4 Ton domestic pick up that is serving the purpose that a truck does, still has a place in this world, instead of being next inline at the crusher.

Comment on Speak Up Forum by Chris

Chris — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:44:53 +0000

What a shame in this environmentally conscientious world we live in now, to stand in wrecking yard that two or three weeks ago had only the typical amount of cars and trucks sacrificing their good parts to the next vehicle , and now there are so many late model, useable, driveable, cars that are being crushed that still had so much life in them. I agree that some cars that were taken off the road for good reason but the list of eligeable cars was absurd. Why destroy Lexus L400′s with only 140k in one owner condition? I stood next to two of them today and both beautiful undamaged cars, (except for the F-100′s fork-lifted on top of them.) These cars would be excellent to keep in circulation instead of spending fuel, resources, and the gov’ts money, (our money) to kill’em. What a waste. I could go on and on about the very roadworthy and low mileage asian cars in these yards but you know what I’m saying.
Two more things as well…
(1) The program was only directed at such a small amount of potential users. Only the select few that could afford a new car payment!!! If that isn’t discrimination, what is? What about the family with a couple 3 or 4 kids that drives a C4C car that can afford a car payment but not a 2009 vehicle. Maybe that Mazda minivan with 112K on the odometer and a perfect interior would have been a good option instead of the Full size Domestic Rig that they cant trade in. No voucher for them. Why not offer something to that senario? It’s a pretty common one.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Negative Cash for Clunkers Experience by tom

tom — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:13:02 +0000

I bought a Ford Focus 09, and my dealer told me in order for the deal to be accepted I had to buy the extended warranty, I was getting a good deal,so I said ok. Now after 2 months and one car payment, my clunker was rejected and the dealer is calling. I told him we let it lapse for 9 days becuse it would not pass the Indiana emissions test, that is why we traded it in. This is just a nightmare that will not end, I feel if the dealer and there audit dept. did not catch this (we were at the dealer for over 5 hours)how am I to be held totally responsible. As far as I am concerned the dealer is barking up the wrong tree. The need to look in the mirror!!! Can anyone help with some advise?

Comment on Speak Up Forum by Diane Goodyear

Diane Goodyear — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:28:48 +0000

I don’t know what to think..on 8/28/09 I traded in a 2007 Toyota Tundra Kingcab-V8 great shape (50,000 miles), for a 2008 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab V6 with (12,000 miles). I knew it would be a upside down deal, but I wanted to get out of leasing and do a trade. I thought cash for clunkers was over. They asked for cash to do do the deal. I wrote $3000/check and $1000/check-hold 30 days and they asked if I had anything else. I told them I was trying to sell a 89-Nissan 4-cyl. truck with (200K miles)for $1000. They told me they would take it as trade in for the $1000 only. Did they do right by me? I am seeing signs all over that cash for clunkers was extended to Nov. 1st. Could I have gotten more on this vehicle as downpay? I just need to know for my piece of mind. I know it probaly is too late to do anything about it now.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Shayla

Shayla — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:51:59 +0000

Update: My dealership just called me and said “No one’s taking your car away, your deal just got approved.” (I bought my car on July 31st.) Thank you to all the people at Walser Honda in Burnsville, MN. They were wonderful and the only good part of this whole experience…aside from actually getting the car. They did not hold my car hostage. I hope you all get your cars soon.

Comment on Consumer Messages to Congress on CARS Program by Scott and Lori Russell

Scott and Lori Russell — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:58:28 +0000

My husband and I were allowed to drive our new car off the lot the same day we signed the loan papers for the full amount with the agreement we would be reimbursed our $3,500 via check. To date, we still have not received the $3,500. They did have to re-submit our paperwork because during a move from MI to MO we had lost the original title to our clunker and had to re-apply for a new one, which took a while, but we finally received it and took it into the dealership on 9-5-09. Now, we are just waiting to hear back. It has been almost two weeks since they re-submitted our paperwork with the new title. They have had our clunker since day one–a 97 Ford Crown Victoria. What happens if the gov’t denies our application again? Isn’t there some liability with the car dealership? I have heard that dealerships were supposed to verify that all cash for clunker paperwork was in proper form and that the customer(s) actually qualified for the program before they close the sale. If the money doesn’t come from the government, will there be a class action lawsuit for people like us, still waiting for our money.

Comment on Consumers Who Had a Positive Cash for Clunkers Experence by Shayla

Shayla — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:28:06 +0000

I haven’t received notification that my deal has been paid (and my dealership said they’d contact me) but after reading everyone’s negative experiences, I’d say mine was pretty good. I love having a safe, reliable and economical car and I’m thankful for this program, as I would not have been able to get a brand new car without it.

Comment on Speak Up Forum by John Mauser

John Mauser — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:58:26 +0000

I was unable to participate in the program, since I was away on duty. My opinion is that a program should be formed to reach out to our veterans. We deserve a great deal on a vehicle.
Thank You
John