credit for clunkers

[Lt.Del]

ok, i believe our type of truck will see a major decrease in numbers within the next few months.  They qualify for the less than 18mpg and the 84 or newer meets the 25 years old or less requirement. If you trade one of these in you can get $4,500 credit off the lowest price a dealer will sell you a new car that gets better mpg.  My wife is thinking of letting her 96 Gran Jeep Cherokee V8 4x4 with 120,000 miles on it go.  I think she's crazy, because it runs great and there is no car payment.  But, she wants a new car. 

Obama is trying to get these old gas guzzlers off the road.  The dealerships can't even resell these things, they have to be destroyed so less gas is used in the future.

One thing is furshure.  My 91 V2500 4x4 sub is staying right here in my driveway.


see www.cars.gov

[Blazin]

Said it before, will say it again. Our simpletone politicians we elected into office have totally missed the boat on this one!

[low budget]

They just want everybody to jump right out there into more debt.  $4500.00 from an already over priced vehicle is still over priced!!

My theory;  "If it's not broke, don't fix it!!!"

Gas guzzler w/ NO payment.......or.......Gas miser with BIG payment.

Guzzler= easier to work on, aftermarket parts not to hard to find, repair yourself
Miser= can't find motor underhood, can't find aftermarket parts, good luck trying to repair yourself

Buy the way, where is the $4500.00 coming from?  Government=higher TAXES!!!

I'll keep my clunker...       

[Lt.Del]

Oh, I agree with the fact that no car payment, no matter the mpg, is the way to go.  Here is what I said

I think she's crazy, because it runs great and there is no car payment.  But, she wants a new car. 

But, if the wife wants a new car, the wife gets a new car.  And since I pay taxes, I might as well benefit from my own tax money (for a change).  Better us getting that credit than someone who has 16 kids and no job and smooching off my tax money. 

So, a new car it is.  Just what type and whether to trade in our 96 Grand Cherokee or sell it out right.  It has 120k miles, so, I may not get $4500 out right.  Chrysler is doubling the incentive, which means $9k off.  And all will agree, now is the time to get a new car with Detroit struggling.

So, in about 4 years we wont have a payment and have a nice vehicle versus having our 96 being 4 years older and may be in need of drastic repairs.   For some reason, I am beginning to agree with her.  But, my sub still stays with me.

It's a shame they cannot resell these "clunkers" because that Jeep is very nice with leather, V8, electric seat adjustments, runs smooth, oil change every 4k miles, brand new tires.   To the crusher she goes.

[smitty77]

Chrysler is doubling the incentive, which means $9k off.  And all will agree, now is the time to get a new car with Detroit struggling.

So, in about 4 years we wont have a payment and have a nice vehicle versus having our 96 being 4 years older and may be in need of drastic repairs.   For some reason, I am beginning to agree with her.  But, my sub still stays with me.

It's a tough call.  My wife has an '02 PT Cruiser with low miles that I was thinking of trading in because it will also need some work in the future.  The local Dodge dealer was trying to get me into a 2009 Ram 1500 quad cab, v-8, auto, 4x4, moderate options list, and the lifetime powertrain warranty for $18,500 after trade.  It's almost hard to say no, and if I could have applied the $4,500 "clunker" rebate on top of that (her car doesn't qualify for anything at 26 mpg) I'd be driving a new Ram right now.  But we're looking at picking up a foreclosed property to better out living situation, so I'm trying to keep my debt-load low for now.

I'd say "go for it" if you can get a good deal.  The best part is, you're  in the driver's seat when it comes to haggling as certain cars and most trucks are just not selling and trade-ins are getting almost unheard-of values from the dealer.  The salesman quoted me above NADA for "moderate condition trade-in" without even seeing the car, and said it would likely be higher if the condition matched my over-the-phone description, somewhere in the "moderate condition for private sale" range.

And think about the 3-4 years from now when that Jeep may need to come off the road for good and you need a new or used car, and prices have gone up another $5k if this economy recovers.

Just some thoughts.

[bigkountry]

I waited around until the dealerships around here got off their high horse and started making me want to get a new ride for my wife. Let me cut into their pockets for a change, they make enough money off each car as ti is.

I traded my 01 Silverado (owed $3K), they gave me $10, 200.00 for it and I walked away with a new Dodge Grand Caravan SXT-fully loaded for $14,500 total cost to me. We are very happy with it, room for the rug rats and real comfy and decent MPG for a van (19 city/26 HWY).

Now is really the time to buy, but you wont see my 81 on a lot anytime soon!

[Captkaos]

there are some rules, so I don't think it is going to hurt us that much. 

1 Year Proof of Insurance. If your insurance card does not cover the entire year preceding the trade in, you will need other proof of insurance. Contact your insurance company to get evidence of 1 year worth of insurance. The form must include, at a minimum, the insurance company, policy number, VIN, start and end date of insurance (showing at least 1 year).
2 Proof of Registration going back at least 1 year.
3 “Clear” title. This means the title must be free of any liens or other encumbrances. If you have liens, you need to get these cleared before going to the dealer. This may include evidence on the face of the title showing no lien; that the title has been cleared (signed and stamped accordingly), or with an attached lien release from the lien holder.
4 The vehicle manufacturer date found on the driver’s door or door jamb is less than 25 years old when you trade it in.

This means anything pre-1984 is not eligible..

[Lt.Del]

As for the 96 Grand Cherokee

#1 check
#2 check
#3 check
#4 check

Time to get the dealer to send it to the crusher.

There's also a rule that it must be operable, meaning, driven to the dealership.   There are other requirements as to the mpg and what will qualify as a new vehicle with the credit.  www.cars.gov

You know, if they didn't put the rule in there about the 1 yr registration and 1 yr insurance, how many would be looking to buy a $300 old truck to take it right away to the dealership for the $4500?  Lots. 

[choptop]

Heres what the missus needs Sarge
http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/challenger/
Wouldnt mind one myself

[Lt.Del]

Ha!  She couldn't handle something like that. 425hp six speed manual, Oh yeah. I could though 

[meslt592]

I'm new here, but I wanted to chime in. The wife had a 96 dodge grand caravan 3.8 v-6. Everything started going bad  at about 125-130k. The tranny went out, $1200. One of the 3? computers went bad $500. The a/c went out $1000. This didn't all happen in one month, but it was as good as having another car payment anyway.

[Lt.Del]

welcome aboard.
you hear stories of vehicles going bad at 60k miles, some at 120k miles.  some at 300k miles.  My sub is at 205k miles and only had a distributor, steering pump and starter replaced to my knowledge. It's hard to find any pattern except that I don't like 4-bangers because they tend to wear out quicker--at least in my own opinion any. V6's and V8's dont have to work as hard. 

[crazedhick3]

I really hate to say it, but my Burb is gonna have to go.     Cant pass up that kind of incentive for a truck thats not worth a third.  Still got the '77 and that aint going anywhere.  Let me say, i dont agree with any of those SOB's in Washington.  But she was gonna get sold in the winter anyway. 

[Lt.Del]

precisley my point.  You're not the only one. Make sure it is no older than an '84.  Make sure you strip it out....radio, 3rd seat, bucket seats, except one to drive, spare tire, tow package, electronic brake controls, air cleaner housing, any good tires.  Heck, you could probably take the instrument cluster off and she'll still run.  All the stipulation says is that it has to be running when turning it in.

[choptop]

One thing just crossed my mind.( yeah thats all theres room for) The more that get turned in, the higher the value goes up on mine.