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Speak Up Forum
This page is dedicated to general consumer feedback on the Cash for Clunkers program. Share your comments and questions below.
This page is dedicated to general consumer feedback on the Cash for Clunkers program. Share your comments and questions below.
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Thanks for sharing information. I’ve written and shared my thoughts about this on my blog.
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.
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.
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 !
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
(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.
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.
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.
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
So, did anyone who participated in the cash for clunkers participate to help save the environment by decreasing emissions, and increasing their gas mileage, or was it just a way to get a new car?
i manage a small repair shop in a town of 35K people and since the program are shop has come to a halt, the work just isnt here! i have talked to all the shops around town and its all the same story.
Original transaction was great, no problems. But 7 weeks later I’m still waiting for the title to my car, which I paid for in full. The dealers floor plan agreement says they can’t release the title to the buyer until the dealer pays them. The dealer hasn’t paid the floor plan because the govt. hasn’t paid them the $4500. So I sit with no proof that I actually own the car that I paid for in full.
What happens to the manufactures rebates when a deal falls through? Chrysler for example, gave $5500 to the consumer for purchasing a cruiser. If the vehicle has to be returned, does the dealer pocket the $5500? Chrysler certainly wouldnt be aware of it if the original sale was financed, tilted and driven off the lot. Given the possible high numbers of failed deals, that is quite a chunk of free change in the dealers pockets given the fact that the government vouchers on the cruiser were only 3500. That would put them ahead of the game even without the sale. If anybody has any info on this could they please post? I,m going to pose this question on one other forum in hopes of getting an answer.
It was sad to see the clunkers go into the scrap heap
Is it possible to give them to African countries as charity?
About a week ago I hit a deer and totaled my wifes beautiful Chevy Astro Van, since then we have been astounded by the needless waste of thousands of perfectly good used vehicles, potential replacements for the Astro, that have been MURDERED by the cash for clunkers program, we have been paid for the Astro by our Ins. Co. but CAN NOT find a suitable replacement with the “fair market value” payment that we received. The “clunkers” that have not been disabled / paid for by this nightmare program MUST be released back into the marketplace
Tried to make a deal on the 23rd… it was submitted (I’m told) on the 27th… without the required Appendix from final rule… dealer did not seem to know what was going on; I asked if I should go to another dealership as Minis were moving FAST… they suggested two contracts, one w/Cars rebate, one with straight finance. Okay… they filed the non-CarS contract, first payment due on 9/10. I contacted BBB, Senator Feingold, CARS hotline (absolutely no response! I was told I’d hear back within 48 hrs). Dealer said they would resubmit paperwork, take clunker (with persuasion) and they would “send me” 4500 and keep non-Cars contract in place. Uh-uh. Sent certified letter requesting CARS contract be activated, and that rebate was between dealer and govt – not me.
Let’s see what happens now…
Annette
I *WISH* I could stand here and say that American auto factories are the best thing since sliced bread…….but those days are sadly long gone.
Tea Party……..
I hear you loud and clear. But these days the JAP factories give Americans more steady work, and give the consumers better customer service. (Not to mention that they just build better cars without the almighty cookie cutter.)
Upon these principles, I am estatic to know that the ASIANS collectively cleaned up better than GM with the program. Think about it hard for just a minute…..was it Honda or Toyota that ruined the auto industry in the US? Did they make all the BAD cars?
AutoNews.com article from 9/2/09 said dealer survey indicates less than 6% of C4C vouchers have been paid, and almost 84% of vouchers are still “Under Review.” Ouch.
Cars for Clunkers: I traded in my clunker on 7/31, still dont have new car. I have contacted everybody possible and nobody is willing to help. Even this website is starting to make it sound like the greatest program ever.
Traded my clunker in the second day of program…
still waiting
35 days and still waiting for voucher approval. In Transits have been expired for 5 days. E-mail reply from NHTSA said approvals take ‘about 10 days.’ Right.
There is no way they are processing them in the order of submission.
My tradein was a 1989 Lincoln Mark VII with an antilock braking module made in “West Germany”. Where is that now anyway? My new vehicle is a Honda Accord manufactured in late July in Marysville, Ohio. It probably would not have been manufactured if I had not ordered it.
Questions and answers about 1973 oldsmobile 442 and Intrigue oldsmobile recall.
I purchased my car over 16 days ago and was told by the dealer that it would take 7-10 days to hear back on the approval. We are still waiting. When we called the dealer (again) today he said that some people have been waiting over a month to hear the approval. If it’s going to take that long then shouldn’t the government not be telling people it’s going to take 7-10 days to get approval?
This just has been a very delayed process (again, a perfect example of what happens when the governments red tape gets involved).
I purchased my car over 16 days ago and was told by the dealer that it would take 7-10 days to hear back on the approval. We are still waiting. When we called the dealer (again) today he said that some people have been waiting over a month to hear the approval. If it’s going to take that long then shouldn’t the government not be telling people it’s going to take 7-10 days to get approval? If today is the last day does not mean we are automatically not going to get approved?
This just has been a very delayed process (again, a perfect example of what happens when the governments red tape gets involved).
Netizen, who are you concerned about? the factory worker or the cooperate head. What is better for America? a vehicle manufactured in the USA or Mexico? http://www.moneyallocator.com/articles/american_foreign_cars.asp
signed contract for new ford 60 days ago paid for car in full,will not sign waiver,can i cancell deal and get my money back
New post for our readers:
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/20090827-car-manufacturers-have-opportunity-to-heal-consumer-wounds/
Brian
My clunker was a Mercury Grand Marquis assembled in Canada. My new car was a Hyundai Sonata assembled in the USA, with an engine built in the USA. The factory that assembled my new Sonata has called back American workers from a lay-off. It is a global economy whether not we like it. I liked my Grand Marquis so much I bought another one even though it was assembled in a foreign country.
ONLY IN AMERICA can you trade in your AMERICAN made car on A Jap car and get $4500 OF AMERICAN TAX PAYERS MONEY! Way to go again law makers! WTF??????????????????
I picked up my new Hyundai Sonata on 7/27. I signed a waiver regarding only the funding uncertainty. I was immediately “off the hook” when the government announced a funding guarantee covering the first week of CFC. Did my homework, began visiting dealers in April. Looked at the Malibu, Camry, Milan and Fusion. The Sonata had a definite price advantage from the beginning. As the CFC start date approached, all of the cars except the Sonata were going up in price. It was an easy decision and dealer was reasonably helpful but definitely nervous about the CFC program. Overall everything went relatively smooth and I got my very own slice of “bailout pie”.
For those who question the benefit of CFC, how do you avoid going crazy over the two main bailouts? $700 billion for saving our financial system (blackmail?) and $700 billion for a bunch of “shovel ready projects” that they now say will show up next year. The $3 billion for CFC has generated an economic impact that we can see and feel. Do not complain about CFC until you can rationalize that the remaining $1,400 billion of bailout pie was well spent.
All 1900+ posts from Cash for Clunkers “operating phase” are still online:
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/20090624-consumer-feedback-on-cars-program/
Brian
What exactly IS an “American made” car? Chevy? Mine was built in Mexico. Ford? That one is from Canada. Give me a break. Toyota, Honda, Hyundai are the companies that will – and deserve to – benefit the most from this thing. They have been building good cars for years – and they worked with their customers.
GM is a disgrace. They should be the undisputed number one auto maker in the world. They had an electric car on the road, operational, in the early 90s. The EV1. But instead they went the Hummer route – and I am not buying the line that “this is what the public wanted”. Uh-uh. I would love to own an electric car that goes 40mi before a charge. So would lots of other people. But as soon as California changed their mind and did not require electric cars, GM shredded everything. What a waste.
So, I bought a great european car. Made well, will last forever. I will never buy an “american made” car again – uh… I’ll never buy a car from any of the Big 3 ever again.
My clunkers deal didn’t go – no fault of mine, as I was absolutely qualified, but that’s a story for another forum.
So, please – answer the question(s) – what exactly IS an “American made” car, and why would I want to buy any vehicle that is not absolutely great quality.
Annette, Wisconsin
Sorry folks had to “ask” when I picked up my car. If the timeline helps we were approved and our application was entered in the CARs system on 8/4.
Day 22 of Hostage negotiations – Our dealer is releasing our car!!! We finalized all of our paperwork including our CARs application on 8/4. We’re on a don’t ask, don’t tell policy of whether our application was approved. I’ve complained to anyone that will listen about my dealership, I wrote the Attorney General, contacted the Better Business Bureau and submitted a complaint, I submitted feedback directly to Ford, I also complained to Ford Credit that I wouldn’t pay for a car I didn’t have in my possession.
Hang in there folks. It kind of sucks that the 1900 or so posts are gone for people to read, but it was great to hear other folks were in the same boat. It also kind of sucked that the deal was finalized on 8/4, we were told after we signed all our paper work we’d have to wait on delivery, then on 8/12 the NHTSA said that the dealership has to release your car to submit the application. Knowing that I would have never worked with this dealership. Oh well, never going there again.
Peace and Best of Luck!
I own a 1992 Ford truck that would have qualified. I haven’t bought a new vehicle in over 20 years, mainly because I’ve had company cars and because the dealership experience was always painful. I visited several dealerships with cash in hand to buy a new vehicle–the dealership experience still sucks–same old games: paint and underbody protectant, outrageous dealer fees. Plus, when you drive off the lot, you lose the money you saved on the CFC program because the vehicle immediately depreciates. I’ll wait a few months and pick up one of these almost-new repo’s….
This program is a scam and rewards those who have been driving gas hogs and penalizes those who have been responsible. Not only do I drive the fuel efficient car for the past 8 years, I have to pay for the people who’ve been riding around in gas hogs polluting the earth.
I’ve been responsible driving a fuel efficient vehicle and can not benefit from this program yet get no benefit from the government and am penalized.
@Mark
That sucks!! I just bought a new washer and dryer.
So were starting a new government program, “Cash for Appliances”. Maybe the government should pay for the first stimulus program before starting a second one. If I’m not mistaken only about eight percent of the dealers have been paid for the “Cash for Clunkers” program. So wait until Christmas when all the dealers have received their money, then start the appliance program.
Re-instate the program in a month or two in order to get dealer inventories back up. Also it will let people with paperwork issues with their clunker have time to straighten things out.
I think the program should be extended.This is good for the economy and the the program is still in demand.
The cash for clunkers is a great program for those who have work and money, what good did that do for the rest of us who are really hurting financially??, same for this new cash for appliances. I do not see how this helps anyone who is REALLY hurting!!
When will people wake up to the reality of government giveaway programs??? Nothing is free people. You will be lucky if all you lose is time and peace of mind. We (taxpaying citizens) all end up paying for these screwy plans with nothing to show for it. I have an idea. I’m done. Thanks for reading.
@Neeme
the old SPEAK-UP will still exist and you can access that on this link:
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/20090624-consumer-feedback-on-cars-program/
This SPEAK-UP forum is design for postmortem commentary…
Could the website please copy over the old speakup forum, I was still reading the 1,900 posting, some of them were “wow-sers”.
I just feel this program was done at the wrong way.
I am not work for any automobile company, but I was out of job lots of months. Government use the economy revival money at the wrong way… Those clunker car program should be done for automobile company to helping them out, and let them to built a better American car…and then to hire people to back to work. The coupon should only for the American build & oil affection car.
I just hope our government know what they are doing. They want save American industry they have let American build revival, make people buy American’s…. & make better merchandise.
The US Government woefully demonstrated poor planning both in funding and execution.
All too many of the auto dealers once again showed their true colors and proved the stereotypes to be accurate. Liars, cheats, shifty, not to be trusted.
If the customer took this adventure as a very serious endeavor; did the research of not only product and price but also various dealers and went equipped with the correct and “ACCURATE” documentation required, the end result was success.