'Clunker' vouchers allowed as eligible new cars get scarce

[RamboLiberal]

Source: USA Today

DETROIT — As the "cash-for-clunkers" program finishes its fourth week, the government is offering a voucher program that could let consumers take delivery later of new cars that are unavailable now.

The Transportation Department said Thursday that consumers who want to purchase a new car not yet on a dealer lot can still be eligible for the car rebate program. This helps dealers and automakers who are finding it difficult to keep some hot-selling vehicles at the dealerships because of the popular government incentives.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the changes will expand buyers' choices and keep production lines running. He calls it a "wildly successful program."

Before the changes, eligible car buyers could only choose from vehicles on a dealer car lot. Ford, Toyota and Honda have increased production to meet demand from the clunkers program.

Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., and Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., had asked LaHood to consider allowing consumers to use vouchers.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-08-12-clunker-vouchers_N.htm

[Auggie]

1. Good. Last weekend my local VW dealer was nearly out of cars.

[Doctor_J]

2. Wow. Running out of inventory

No wonder the Repukes hate this program - it's working

[liberal N proud]

3. Putting people back to work

so they can fill the need.

Success!

[Soylent Brice]

4. excellent!

[imdjh]

5. I wonder how many people are getting fucked over in the negotiations.

What with the vouchers, I wonder if inexperienced or otherwise less savvy buyers are out there paying full price and feeling like they got a great deal because of the clunker voucher combined with the usual dealer bullshit.

[roguevalley]

6. my clunker got 21 mpg and didn't qualify but they were so eager to

sell a car to me that they gave me a steal on my new car, a Honda Element, copper colored. :) I am in lurv.

[imdjh]

7. That's good to hear, and I think the Element is way cool too.

[Kolesar]

10. A minivan gets better mileage and is roomier

that's the consensus of the www.roadbikereview.com crowd

[roguevalley]

15. probably but I am done with minivans. I love this because its good for

Alaska winters and can carry my little dogs in their crates. It has everything that I need and nothing I don't want. Plus, its cute as a bug. Its the most unique car in my area and its color makes it stand out. I am glad that my utilitarian needs coincided with my artistic bent. :)

[imdjh]

16. There is a certain Jeeplike quality to the element that a minivan doesn't have.

I love my mom's minivan. It annoys her that I consider it the nicest car she has ever owned, considering she traded in her fine euro-sedan for it, but it really is sweet. I don't know if I would expect it to still be around as long as a Honda Element might. But you never know- Sedona and Sienna might be the rebirth of the Deadhead van in the next decade.

[roguevalley]

17. I agree. I like minivans but I need oomph for the driving here in

winter. my element can go up steeper inclines than a van so I am happy. I like cars but I'm not a car head. Just someone who dabbles. :) I like the shape of the element, rather jeep like I agree and that its copper, my favorite color is the cherry on top. :)

[imdjh]

8. Just out of curiosity , what was your clunker?

[roguevalley]

14. a 1999 Buick LeSabre that I inherited from my parents. Very sentimental

attachment and a good car but too many miles. I met someone there who had a car that made 19 mpg. I was so sad for her but they are making great deals anyway. Need to move the 2009's to make way for the 2010 models.

[GodlyDemocrat]

11. First day of the program, we got significantly below invoice with Chrysler

On top of the cash for clunkers, another trade in, and the matching rebate.

[kelly1mm]

9. I did the C4C trading in a 15 mpg Isuzu Trooper for a 25 mpg Jeep Patriot.

Jeep dealers on the east coast have almost no Jeep Patriots/Jeep Compasses left.

[snooper2]

12. there are now three new jeeps at my work...

Two Patriots and a Compass...


I see new ones all the time with temp tags as well...those two are selling like hotcakes!

[kelly1mm]

13. With autostick and 4x4 around 13K before taxes for either one.

Stripped 4x2 base models were just under 10k. Jeep canceled their match but not before selling out the 09's. Depending on how you count (the .gov counts each engine/drive type as separate vehicles for sales purposes) the Jeep Patriot was #3 on the sales list from C4C.