News Cash for your Gas Guzzler from Uncle Sam? - Page 5

Kerberos · 06-19-2009, 04:22 AM

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...NoLWNsdW5rZXJz

This is informative so I hope it doesn't end up lost in the black hole of DC

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress approved a "cash for clunkers" program Thursday to provide government incentives of $3,500 to $4,500 to motorists who trade in their gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles after Senate Democrats narrowly defeated a Republican effort to kill the plan.

Auto state senators said the program would help hard-pressed car dealers and automakers by bringing buyers into showrooms, and they got help from President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who made calls to wavering Democrats urging them to keep the plan alive.

"This is an emergency for families and small businesses -- for an industry that has been the backbone of our economy for a generation," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who sponsored the proposal.

Opponents said it would increase the federal debt without doing much to get expensive-to-operate vehicles off the roads.

Senate supporters of the program overcame a procedural hurdle by the plan's leading opponent, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., on a 60-36 vote, winning the minimum number of votes needed to keep the program in a $106 billion war-spending plan that the Senate passed later Thursday.

The House approved the cash for clunkers bill last week on a vote of 298-119 and Senate Democrats attached it to the war-spending bill. The overall bill now goes to the White House for Obama's signature.

Four Republicans -- Kit Bond of Missouri, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Susan Collins of Maine and George Voinovich of Ohio -- voted with two independents and 54 Democrats in favor of the clunker measure, while Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska was opposed along with 35 Republicans.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., changed her vote to support the vehicle incentive plan and spoke by phone with Obama during the vote.

Cantwell spokeswoman Ciaran Clayton said Obama "acknowledged Senator Cantwell's concerns that the cash- for-clunkers program ... did not do enough to meet our nation's urgent need to reduce foreign oil dependence" and vowed to work with Cantwell and others to "maximize the number of efficient cars on America's roads."

In addition to Cantwell, Obama and Biden reached out to Democrats Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Michael Bennet of Colorado, according to two people familiar with the outreach. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Obama has encouraged Congress to approve the consumer incentives for new car purchases as part of the government's efforts to restructure General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Group LLC. The bill provides $1 billion for the program from July through November.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who supported a plan with more stringent requirements to receive the vouchers, said she received "absolute assurance" from Senate leaders that if the program was continued beyond November it would be modeled after the bill she pushed.

Supporters said the program, which would be implemented by the Transportation Department, was expected to be implemented by early August.

The auto industry and its union lobbied heavily for passage of the cash for clunkers plan as GM and Chrysler have received billions of dollars in government-led bankruptcies and the entire auto industry has dealt with plummeting car sales. In May, overall sales were 34 percent lower than a year ago.

Under the proposal, car owners could get a voucher worth $3,500 if they traded in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less for one getting at least 22 mpg. The value of the voucher would grow to $4,500 if the mileage of the new car was 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle. The miles per gallon figures are listed on the car window's sticker.

Owners of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks or minivans that get 18 mpg or less could receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or SUV got at least 2 mpg higher than their old vehicle. The voucher would increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or SUV was at least 5 mpg higher than the older vehicle.

Dealers participating in the program would receive an electronic voucher from the government for the trade-in to apply to the purchase or lease of a qualifying vehicle. The bill directs dealers to ensure that the older vehicles are crushed or shredded to get the clunkers off the road.

The program was intended to help replace older vehicles -- built in model year 1984 or later -- and would not make financial sense for consumers owning an older car with a trade-in value greater than $3,500 or $4,500.

The U.S. industry is expected to generate about 9.5 million vehicles sales in 2009, compared with more than 13 million in 2008 and more than 16 million in 2007.

Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report.

The bill is H.R. 2346.

**Skip Towne** · 06-22-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Third Eye

Except you do realize that about 80 percent of that debt is owned by Americans.

Those people might have a problem.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-22-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild1

I can find clunkers all day long for less than $1000 that "run". I can park them in a friend's barn or something.

Turning $1,000 into $4,500 in a year? This is a hell of an ROI. I'm going to start my own business

If I were planning on buying a new car in the future I'd do this.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-22-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

uhhh offer expires November 1st.

Oh. Well, so much for that idea. I think they have all the bases covered...

**BigRedChief** · 06-24-2009, 06:49 AM

Official Car Allowance Rebate System site.

http://cars.gov/

http://cars.gov/faq.html

What is the Car Allowance Rebate System?

The Car Allowance Rebate System is a new program from the government that will help you pay for a new, more fuel efficient car or truck from a participating dealer when you trade in a less fuel efficient car or truck.
back to top

What is NHTSA doing to implement the program?

As required under the law, NHTSA will publish rules for the program in 30 days. We are currently working closely with manufacturers, dealers, and disposal facilities to get a workable, effective program up and running.
back to top

Do I need to get a voucher or sign up for this program?

No. You do not need a voucher and you are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Participating new car dealers will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase or lease, provided the vehicle you buy or lease and the vehicle you trade in meet the program requirements. The dealer will then obtain reimbursement from the government.
back to top

How do I know if a dealer is participating in the program?

The law requires dealers to be registered to participate in the program. We are moving as quickly as possible to register interested dealers. As dealers are registered, we will list them on this website. We will continue to update this list during the life of the program. Meanwhile, you may wish to contact dealers in your area to ask whether they plan to participate in the program.
back to top

How do I know if my car or truck is an eligible trade-in vehicle?

There are several requirements (but you also have to meet certain conditions for the car or truck you wish to buy). Your dealer can help you determine whether you have an eligible trade in vehicle.

Your trade-in vehicle must

have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in
have a “new” combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less
be in drivable condition
be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in

Note that work trucks (i.e., very large pickup trucks and cargo vans) have different requirements.
back to top

How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured?

The month and year of manufacture (e.g., 1-96 (January 1996)) appear on the safety standard certification label that is located on the frame or edge of the driver’s door in most vehicles.
back to top

How do I find out the combined city/highway fuel economy rating of my trade-in vehicle?

Go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm and click on the model year of your vehicle, the make, and then the model. Under the words "ESTIMATED NEW EPA MPG" in the red banner, there is a red number with the word "COMBINED" under it. That is the new combined city/highway fuel economy for your vehicle. You may then enter the make, model, and model year of a new vehicle you may want to buy and see its combined MPG for comparison.
back to top

Does the program apply if I want to lease a vehicle, or must I purchase a vehicle?

Under the program, you may purchase a new vehicle or lease a new vehicle, provided the lease period for the new vehicle is at least five years.
back to top

Is there a cap on the price of the vehicle I can buy or lease under the program?

Yes. The manufacturer's suggested retail price cannot exceed $45,000.
back to top

Does the program apply if I want to buy a used car?

No. The program does not apply to the purchase of used vehicles.
back to top

What is the amount of the credit?

The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500, and generally depends on the type of vehicle you purchase and the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in vehicle. Different requirements apply for work trucks.
back to top

In addition to the credit, will I get the full value of my trade-in vehicle?

No. The law requires your trade-in vehicle to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate with the dealer for your trade-in vehicle is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in vehicle.
back to top

I don’t drive an American car but I would like to trade in my old car for a newer, more fuel efficient one. Is this program only for American cars?

No. You may trade in or buy a domestic or a foreign vehicle.
back to top

I have a truck and I cannot find its fuel economy rating. Is it an eligible trade-in vehicle?

Maybe. Some trucks, such as work trucks, were never rated for fuel economy. For these trucks, age is the only criterion for determining whether they are eligible trade-in vehicles. If you have one of these trucks, it must be from model year 2001 or earlier, but also the date of manufacture must be less than 25 years from the date you trade it in, to be an eligible trade-in vehicle. Other restrictions may also apply.
back to top

I just traded in my old car for a new vehicle last month. Will I get some money back?

No. The program does not apply retroactively.

KChiefs1 · 07-25-2009, 10:19 PM

Dealers I talked to today told me they expect the money to run out next week on the program.

**Bugeater** · 07-25-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Dealers I talked to today told me they expect the money to run out next week on the program.

Meh, that's what they keep saying on their commercials here too. I imagine they just want you to hurry up and buy something.

KChiefs1 · 07-27-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Meh, that's what they keep saying on their commercials here too. I imagine they just want you to hurry up and buy something.

I went to 3 different dealerships(Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) & they all had the same basic sales pitch...8 cars per dealership & they already had at least 10 on hold & the money would run out by this Friday. I was amazed how they all said the same thing.

Param · 07-27-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I went to 3 different dealerships(Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) & they all had the same basic sales pitch...8 cars per dealership & they already had at least 10 on hold & the money would run out by this Friday. I was amazed how they all said the same thing.

Trying to create excitement when people aren't buying brand new cars.

I've actually wanted to see what is the lowest price you can buy a brand new automobile for today.

And I do wonder what that price will be 1 month from now when this program is still going on.

Param · 07-28-2009, 06:07 AM

Dodge Caliber in Dallas for $6,490.

http://shopping.dallasnews.com/ROP/a...=8110386&type=

06-19-2009, 04:22 AM
Kerberos Chiefs Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $10000632	Cash for your Gas Guzzler from Uncle Sam? http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...NoLWNsdW5rZXJz This is informative so I hope it doesn't end up lost in the black hole of DC WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress approved a "cash for clunkers" program Thursday to provide government incentives of $3,500 to $4,500 to motorists who trade in their gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles after Senate Democrats narrowly defeated a Republican effort to kill the plan. Auto state senators said the program would help hard-pressed car dealers and automakers by bringing buyers into showrooms, and they got help from President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who made calls to wavering Democrats urging them to keep the plan alive. "This is an emergency for families and small businesses -- for an industry that has been the backbone of our economy for a generation," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who sponsored the proposal. Opponents said it would increase the federal debt without doing much to get expensive-to-operate vehicles off the roads. Senate supporters of the program overcame a procedural hurdle by the plan's leading opponent, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., on a 60-36 vote, winning the minimum number of votes needed to keep the program in a $106 billion war-spending plan that the Senate passed later Thursday. The House approved the cash for clunkers bill last week on a vote of 298-119 and Senate Democrats attached it to the war-spending bill. The overall bill now goes to the White House for Obama's signature. Four Republicans -- Kit Bond of Missouri, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Susan Collins of Maine and George Voinovich of Ohio -- voted with two independents and 54 Democrats in favor of the clunker measure, while Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska was opposed along with 35 Republicans. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., changed her vote to support the vehicle incentive plan and spoke by phone with Obama during the vote. Cantwell spokeswoman Ciaran Clayton said Obama "acknowledged Senator Cantwell's concerns that the cash- for-clunkers program ... did not do enough to meet our nation's urgent need to reduce foreign oil dependence" and vowed to work with Cantwell and others to "maximize the number of efficient cars on America's roads." In addition to Cantwell, Obama and Biden reached out to Democrats Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Michael Bennet of Colorado, according to two people familiar with the outreach. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Obama has encouraged Congress to approve the consumer incentives for new car purchases as part of the government's efforts to restructure General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Group LLC. The bill provides $1 billion for the program from July through November. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who supported a plan with more stringent requirements to receive the vouchers, said she received "absolute assurance" from Senate leaders that if the program was continued beyond November it would be modeled after the bill she pushed. Supporters said the program, which would be implemented by the Transportation Department, was expected to be implemented by early August. The auto industry and its union lobbied heavily for passage of the cash for clunkers plan as GM and Chrysler have received billions of dollars in government-led bankruptcies and the entire auto industry has dealt with plummeting car sales. In May, overall sales were 34 percent lower than a year ago. Under the proposal, car owners could get a voucher worth $3,500 if they traded in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less for one getting at least 22 mpg. The value of the voucher would grow to $4,500 if the mileage of the new car was 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle. The miles per gallon figures are listed on the car window's sticker. Owners of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks or minivans that get 18 mpg or less could receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or SUV got at least 2 mpg higher than their old vehicle. The voucher would increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or SUV was at least 5 mpg higher than the older vehicle. Dealers participating in the program would receive an electronic voucher from the government for the trade-in to apply to the purchase or lease of a qualifying vehicle. The bill directs dealers to ensure that the older vehicles are crushed or shredded to get the clunkers off the road. The program was intended to help replace older vehicles -- built in model year 1984 or later -- and would not make financial sense for consumers owning an older car with a trade-in value greater than $3,500 or $4,500. The U.S. industry is expected to generate about 9.5 million vehicles sales in 2009, compared with more than 13 million in 2008 and more than 16 million in 2007. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report. The bill is H.R. 2346.
Posts: 5,638

06-24-2009, 06:49 AM	#64
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $2599627 VARSITY	Official Car Allowance Rebate System site. http://cars.gov/ http://cars.gov/faq.html What is the Car Allowance Rebate System? The Car Allowance Rebate System is a new program from the government that will help you pay for a new, more fuel efficient car or truck from a participating dealer when you trade in a less fuel efficient car or truck. back to top What is NHTSA doing to implement the program? As required under the law, NHTSA will publish rules for the program in 30 days. We are currently working closely with manufacturers, dealers, and disposal facilities to get a workable, effective program up and running. back to top Do I need to get a voucher or sign up for this program? No. You do not need a voucher and you are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Participating new car dealers will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase or lease, provided the vehicle you buy or lease and the vehicle you trade in meet the program requirements. The dealer will then obtain reimbursement from the government. back to top How do I know if a dealer is participating in the program? The law requires dealers to be registered to participate in the program. We are moving as quickly as possible to register interested dealers. As dealers are registered, we will list them on this website. We will continue to update this list during the life of the program. Meanwhile, you may wish to contact dealers in your area to ask whether they plan to participate in the program. back to top How do I know if my car or truck is an eligible trade-in vehicle? There are several requirements (but you also have to meet certain conditions for the car or truck you wish to buy). Your dealer can help you determine whether you have an eligible trade in vehicle. Your trade-in vehicle must have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in have a “new” combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less be in drivable condition be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in Note that work trucks (i.e., very large pickup trucks and cargo vans) have different requirements. back to top How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured? The month and year of manufacture (e.g., 1-96 (January 1996)) appear on the safety standard certification label that is located on the frame or edge of the driver’s door in most vehicles. back to top How do I find out the combined city/highway fuel economy rating of my trade-in vehicle? Go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm and click on the model year of your vehicle, the make, and then the model. Under the words "ESTIMATED NEW EPA MPG" in the red banner, there is a red number with the word "COMBINED" under it. That is the new combined city/highway fuel economy for your vehicle. You may then enter the make, model, and model year of a new vehicle you may want to buy and see its combined MPG for comparison. back to top Does the program apply if I want to lease a vehicle, or must I purchase a vehicle? Under the program, you may purchase a new vehicle or lease a new vehicle, provided the lease period for the new vehicle is at least five years. back to top Is there a cap on the price of the vehicle I can buy or lease under the program? Yes. The manufacturer's suggested retail price cannot exceed $45,000. back to top Does the program apply if I want to buy a used car? No. The program does not apply to the purchase of used vehicles. back to top What is the amount of the credit? The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500, and generally depends on the type of vehicle you purchase and the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in vehicle. Different requirements apply for work trucks. back to top In addition to the credit, will I get the full value of my trade-in vehicle? No. The law requires your trade-in vehicle to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate with the dealer for your trade-in vehicle is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in vehicle. back to top I don’t drive an American car but I would like to trade in my old car for a newer, more fuel efficient one. Is this program only for American cars? No. You may trade in or buy a domestic or a foreign vehicle. back to top I have a truck and I cannot find its fuel economy rating. Is it an eligible trade-in vehicle? Maybe. Some trucks, such as work trucks, were never rated for fuel economy. For these trucks, age is the only criterion for determining whether they are eligible trade-in vehicles. If you have one of these trucks, it must be from model year 2001 or earlier, but also the date of manufacture must be less than 25 years from the date you trade it in, to be an eligible trade-in vehicle. Other restrictions may also apply. back to top I just traded in my old car for a new vehicle last month. Will I get some money back? No. The program does not apply retroactively. __________________ Time is worth more than money.
Posts: 79,307

07-25-2009, 10:19 PM	#65
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	Dealers I talked to today told me they expect the money to run out next week on the program. __________________
Posts: 54,038

07-28-2009, 06:07 AM	#69
Param Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $10005218	Dodge Caliber in Dallas for $6,490. http://shopping.dallasnews.com/ROP/a...=8110386&type=
Posts: 2,173