Man i wish I had waited a little longer, and i would have gotten an even better deal with this program. Its great for those looking to buy the 2010 TSX though.

Check out www.cars.gov for more info.

win2k8

 

I looks like this program might already be over. That was a quick billion dollars spent

 

i actually turned in my 95 land cruiser and got 4500 for it last night..picked up a 2010 tsx which was pretty sweet

Program isnt suspended just yet..they are reviewing it and working on how to get more money for the program which is great

 

IMHO, this is just another form of a bailout, but one that we all collectively won't bitch about because we *think* we're getting a quick $4,500.

Fox news did report this morning it was so popular the original funding is being depleted fast.

 

+1. What a great way for our government to teach its constituents how to be financially responsible when they can't even fund enough money for their programs made to help the very same people that need it most...

Bailout this... bailout that...

And why should my hard earned tax dollars essentially help subsidize someone else's financial situation on a car? Does that make any sense?

 

the theory behind is that folks will turn over the gaz guzzlers like those with less than 18mpg. so it will lower fuel consumption hence lower fuel prices for all the rest along with better environment. It is not bad if that 18mpg is rigoursly implemented.

 

my dad traded in his old 99 Nissan Quest for the new Toyota Venza. We definitely would have not gotten $3500 for that minivan, probably more like $1000

 

I understand the benefit to the environment / foreign oil dependency by ridding of less fuel-efficient vehicles. Got it.

However, if you view the government as investors/distributors of our collective funds and capital (which is basically what they are - shudder to think) and realize we collectively just loaned Detroit automakers $25+ billion (+ interest), then why are we helping kowloonsniper's dad trade in his Nissan minivan for a brand-new Toyota Venza? (no offense Kowloonsniper, just an example).

In essense, we just gave Detroit funds to help stay in business and save American jobs, but the CARS program allows us to hand out money (i.e. subsidize) their competition; thus making it harder for Detroit to accomplish their turn-arounds and (most noteworthy for us) jeopardizing further jobs and making it harder/longer for them to pay us back.

I understand the entire industry is hurting and that Toyota/Honda/etc. employ American workers as well, but in terms of investing $25+ billion in a Detroit turn-around, it doesn't make sense to aid factors that would prohibit such a turn-around...

 

The CARS program isn't about American jobs, it's about the environment. Even then, if consumer spending increases, the economy will slowly improve.

Who says Detroit doesn't make fuel-efficient vehicles? Their vehicles should be eligible for the rebate program as well. Americans can decide what car they want to get. They can either go for the cheaper American vehicles, or they can spend more of their own money to get a foreign vehicle. The news did a spiel on how this one woman loved her mercedes benz, but she traded it in for a Ford.

If the government limited it to American-made vehicles only, would you be willing to drop your vehicle and by a Ford? Even then, that would be a discriminatory practice for the government to participate in.

 

The thing that I keep hearing about is trade in prices coming up. Lets say that I have a $4500 dollar credit on my "clunker" I walk into a Kia dealer they are offering $2500 cashback. I now have 7k down on a 9-10k car. What is that car going to be worth the second the ink is dry? That is not to say that people that keep this car forever is not getting a good deal. I switch my cars so offen I like as much resale as possible. Thats one of the reason I got a TSX.