Clunkers out of cash.

[RACER X]

lets print up some more $

That was quick. Just a month after President Obama signed in the $1 billion ‘cash for clunkers’ bill, and less than a week of it running, the program has already run out of money once and received House approval for another $2 billion, with a vote passing the additional funds 316-109 today. Senate approval will have to wait until next week, however.

The additional funds come less than a day after confusing and conflicting messages about the program's possible termination from the White House and the Department of Transportation. Today's action by the House makes it clear that the government wants to see the highly popular program continue. The money will be taken from part of the $787 billion stimulus package approved earlier this year.

Originally expected to last through the next several months at least, Ray La Hood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, said late on Thursday that the program was essentially tapped out, and that CARS was set to be suspended just four days after it officially began. Today, however, U.S. Senator Carl Levin released a statement that the program would be continuing, reports The Detroit News. According to Levin, "We have been told by the White House that people can keep buying cars under the program until further notice. We don't know how long it will last, so people should go to their car dealers now if they want to take advantage of the program. We're also going to seek additional funding to hopefully make the program last longer."

Under the program, owners of old cars that cannot achieve above 18mpg in their combined cycles were eligible for a $3,500 voucher from the government towards the purchase of a new car that is at least 4mpg more efficient. Up to $4,500 is available to those who improve their gas mileage figures by 10mpg or more.

Trucks use a different system, where the new truck being purchased has to achieve at least 18mpg and also be 2mpg more efficient than the traded in vehicle. This gets owners the $3,500 voucher, while those improving their mileage by 5mpg get the full $4,500.

[RACER X]

The Ten Most Traded-In Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F-150 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
7. Ford Explorer 2WD
8. Ford F-150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

The Ten Most Purchased Vehicles
1. Ford Focus
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Ford Escape FWD
7. Hyundai Elantra
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by RACER X

The Ten Most Traded-In Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F-150 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
7. Ford Explorer 2WD
8. Ford F-150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

The Ten Most Purchased Vehicles
1. Ford Focus
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Ford Escape FWD
7. Hyundai Elantra
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt

Haha. Only two vehicles made the list from the bailout and only 1 American owned company made the list that was bailed out.

It's going to fucking suck when someone who has a paid off car and is happy with the paid off car needs some parts for their paid off car.

[EpyonXero]

The program isnt about helping Ford or GM. Its about getting more fuel efficient cars on the road and its supported by the auto industry to boost overall sales. Its been successful on both counts.

[z06boy]

Originally Posted by RACER X

The Ten Most Traded-In Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F-150 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
7. Ford Explorer 2WD
8. Ford F-150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

The Ten Most Purchased Vehicles
1. Ford Focus
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Ford Escape FWD
7. Hyundai Elantra
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt

I own a 1999 version of #4 on the most traded in clunker but I don't want to trade it for ANY of the top 10 cars in the 2nd list...guess I'll keep driving my clunker.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by z06boy

I own a 1999 version of #4 on the most traded in clunker but I don't want to trade it for ANY of the top 10 cars in the 2nd list...guess I'll keep driving my clunker.

I've got an 05 JGC...the only thing I'm trading it in on is another JGC or an Avalanche.

[z06boy]

Originally Posted by marko138

I've got an 05 JGC...the only thing I'm trading it in on is another JGC or an Avalanche.

I've got a few potential replacements in mind but it doesn't look like any of them are approved for this deal.

The Jeep Patriot which is available and can be had with 4x4 just doesn't seem to have enough "umph". I would like another 4x4 or at least all-wheel drive and at least a six cylinder and close to the cargo space of my Cherokee.

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by z06boy

I own a 1999 version of #4 on the most traded in clunker but I don't want to trade it for ANY of the top 10 cars in the 2nd list...guess I'll keep driving my clunker.

That's until you need a part and when you stop by the junkyard looking for it and they point to this square hunk of metal that was an entire Jeep 5 years ago.

Anyone else see the irony that this program was the only program that actually put money into the hands of the people and for it to fail due due to success?

[Smittie61984]

Just saw this. A privately operated Cash for Clunkers. I bet this works out 10x better than the government one and they don't have to steal or print money from people to do it.

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/d...-stimulus-plan

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by Smittie61984

Just saw this. A privately operated Cash for Clunkers. I bet this works out 10x better than the government one and they don't have to steal or print money from people to do it.

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/d...-stimulus-plan

How gullible are you?

Deals like that have been around forever.

"I'll give you $1000 for any trade-in you can drive or tow in!"

The car salesmen have just reworded it, to make it sound like a stimulus plan.

Go see Cal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOsLd...eature=related

JC