House Dems reach 'cash-for-clunkers' deal

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit News

Tuesday, May 5, 2009
House Dems reach 'cash-for-clunkers' deal
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau


Washington -- House Democrats have reached agreement on a "cash for clunkers" bill that could perk up anemic auto sales.

The agreement ends lengthy negotiations between auto-state lawmakers, who sought a bill that would give a maximum boost to sales, and other Democrats who wanted the bill to maximize improvements in the fuel efficiency of autos on the road.

The idea is to offer consumers cash incentives to turn in older vehicles for new models. Rep. John Dingell said in a written statement that the deal would limit the incentives to buyers trading in cars that got 18 mpg or less, with an escalating cash reward depending on mileage of the new vehicle.

There would be similar but lower mileage requirements for drivers of pickups and SUVs and large light-duty trucks. Heavy-duty work trucks would be eligible for trade-in incentives if they were built in 2001 or earlier.

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/article/20090505/AUTO01/905050405/1361/House-Dems-reach--cash-for-clunkers--deal

[Hugin]

1. Effectively excluding the lower income earners from any benefits...

Once again. :eyes:

[hobbit709]

3. I can't afford ANY monthly payment

So unless they give me one I'm SOL, just like all the other poor people

[MercutioATC]

4. I see a lot of old LTDs and such in poorer neighborhoods...

I think the program is silly, but there are a lot of poor people with big old gas hogs.

[saigon68]

6. Absolutely No help for those who clean toilets

They drive Chev Caprices Ca. 1988

[DJ13]

2. Thats good news

....for those who can still qualify for auto loans.

Um, the folks who still qualify usually dont own a clunker, do they?

[Warpy]

5. Remember the pre election gas price dive in 2006?

A lot of people got suckered by that one and signed up for those SUVs and monster trucks they always wanted. The admen were still able to pull the wool over their eyes about the economy and their houses were still worth something extra on paper. Then gas prices went over four bucks a gallon and reality bit them in the ass.

If those folks still have jobs, they'll be in a position to benefit from this one, trade in the monstrosities before gas prices go back up again, and they probably will.

This is a middle class deal that the remnants of the middle class will benefit from.

Unfortunately, a lot of poor folks are also driving clunkers and this won't do a thing for them.

[DJ13]

8. It only works if the truck is older than 2001

The scenario you described wouldnt apply since those SUV's were likely purchased after 2001.

[Warpy]

10. Wrong.

"There would be similar but lower mileage requirements for drivers of pickups and SUVs and large light-duty trucks. Heavy-duty work trucks would be eligible for trade-in incentives if they were built in 2001 or earlier."

Heavy duty work trucks are just that, trucks that are used to haul large amounts of stuff to job sites, like gravel trucks, cement trucks, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles. There is no year requirement for SUVs and pickups, although the article did specify lower mileage requirements.

[FarCenter]

7. Rewarding the drivers of gas hogs :-(

[imdjh]

9. Terrible idea

It comes around every 20 years whether we like it or not.

It makes no sense to junk a vehicle in the middle of its useful life. Gasoline consumption is not the only factor to be considered. Moreover, since they will not limit this program to the purchase of American made cars, then we're looking at not only paying people for working vehicles which will then be destroyed, we're not propping up our own auto industry.

The folly of this is the 18 MPG cut off. So you trade in a 2000 heavy truck that gets 14 MPG for a new one that supposedly gets 18 MPG, but in reality get 13. Don't kid yourself that there will not be people who do this.

A better way is public humiliation. All vehicles other than tractor trailers which get less than 28 highway are restricted to 55 MPH while everyone else can go 75.

[MercutioATC]

11. I'm already "penalized" for driving a gas hog.

I pay a lot more for gas.

...and my car is a lot more capable at 75 mph than most cars are at 55...

[Blue For You]

12. LOL, here's my 30 year old "clunker">>>

Why in the hell would I trade for something newer? It's got 9,000 original miles, and gets over 20mpg. Got 8-track too!

1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille:

[imdjh]

14. I had one of those

I loved it. Mine was canary yellow and it was without a doubt the most comfortable car I have ever owned. I used to love it when two kids would be at a light racing their engines at each other while I sat "old (30)" in the third lane minding my own business, then the light would turn green and I would keep my bumper just a tad ahead of them as their little engines roared. LOL

But then the old girl got the Cadillac disease - weird electrical stuff like the headlights flashing when the door opened, passenger window falling out at the top of the track, and of course that body piece which connects the rear quarter panel to the tail light going South.

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Well, since my 1991 Subaru and my 1999 Saturn both get more than 18 MPG, I guess I'm out.

[mike_c]

15. this exemplifies what's wrong with partisan government....

Instead of getting the best that two philosophies have to offer, when they work together, we get the worst of both when extreme partisanship precludes any legislative cooperation.

[nykym]

16. Geeeeez!

I get 29MPG (most highway) with my 97 Misubishi Galant guess I,m out also.

[endarkenment]

17. crap deal won't do shit

This could actually have been a bottom up stimulus package that benefited american corporations through a 'trickle up' policy that helps individuals, instead it is useless. The 18mpg cap kills the bill. There should be no mileage cap at all, there should be an age cap: 8 years or older for example.

[Javaman]

18. That's how I thought it would work. a "clunker" in my book is a old crappy car

not something that runs 18mpg. All this does is give yet another break to the rich. In my tax bracket, anyone making 50k is rich.

[Javaman]

19. Well I'm SOL as well. '96 jeep cherokee 2 door gets 18 mpg.

it's 4k shy of 200k. Still going strong but I know realistically it's going to die in about 10 to 15k.

The repairs are coming more and more often. Heck I couldn't even get a new water pump for it. Had to get a rebuilt. (not that I would get a new one but knowing one is available would be good).

Even if I could get the rebate, I still couldn't afford the monthly payment.

I also realize, it's my last car. nothing for me if this one goes.

Life at the end of the empire, you know?

[HuckleB]

20. So we're rewarding bad behavior.

Wonderful.

Ugh.