Cash-for-clunkers leaves car lots looking markedly empty

[depakid]

Source: USA Today

Some auto dealers are running short of new cars even as the Senate is poised to join the House in adding $2 billion to the government's cash-for-clunkers program, which could sell another 500,000 vehicles.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he had the votes to put $2 billion more into the program that gives up to $4,500 in rebates for trading in old gas guzzlers for newer fuel-efficient cars. Roughly 250,000 buyers have erased the original $1 billion for trade-ins, and the program ends Friday unless the Senate acts.

Dealers say they're running low on some models, especially small ones sought after in the clunkers program. The brightening economy and automakers' production cuts also have kept inventories tight.

"I'd buy another 300 Civics tonight," says Brian Benstock, general manager of Paragon Honda and Acura in Woodside, N.Y. Dealer Adam Lee says he would normally have 150 new cars on the lot at his family's Lee Toyota in Topsham, Maine. On Tuesday, he had 14.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-08-04-cash-for-clunkers_N.htm

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One might think a stimulus like this would change a few dealers' preferences at the voting booth.... Yet

Nah- and don't expect it- because that's not why this and other programs were put together on the first place.

[Horse with no Name]

1. It doesn't change the political leanings of these guys (RW) around here

their lots have been void of customers for months ...yet...there is this:
http://theparisnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=faec633afdc20375
>>>snip
But Bawcum said he fears a downside.

“It’s going to affect the low end of the used car market,” he said. There will be fewer low cost vehicles available, which could drive costs up.

(like it would matter to him--the new car lots couldn't sell these trade-ins on their lots anyway because the banks won't finance them. They auction them off for hundreds of dollars at wholesale auctions)

“The program has been fabulous for us so far,” Jeff Jones at Paris Chevrolet/Cadillac said. “But I’m a little concerned about being reimbursed because at $3,500 to $4,500 a car the tab runs up quickly.”

But the Ford guy had the honest and genuine answer (and Ford is the only one that wasn't bailed out)
>>>snip
“We have had more traffic,” Ballard said. “We will stay with the program until the government says to stop.”

[lib_wit_it]

2. Oh, obviously you didn't hear--this program was just another example of Obama's incompetence?

The president could cure cancer and bring peace to the Middle East tomorrow and the RW would find fault. It depresses me deeply to know that people are so ignorant, vindictive, without scruples, hateful, and other descriptors I'm too depressed to think of.

[saigon68]

6. Not to mention RACIST

Like Glen Beck and the rest of the Faux drivelers

[tomreedtoon]

3. Most of the empty lots I see are bankrupt dealers.

There are a lot of them. The "used car dealers" in this town were famous for their flamboyant ads (which said nothing) and their costumed loonies (who meant nothing). They were famous for their sale of "Katrina Cars" - rusted out, water-damaged vehicles imported from New Orleans and flood areas.

I am usually saddened by seeing small stores closed, knowing that Wal-Mart and the banks have driven small businessmen out of business. But when I see the cracked concrete and shoddy, empty shacks of used car dealers, I feel like justice has been achieved.

Those buildings are haunted by the spirits of desperate buyers, trying to find some kind of transportation they can afford, and manipulative salesmen, trying to find a way to screw those buyers into greater poverty and damaged wrecks. I wish those lots could be leveled to the bare ground and the earth sown with salt.

[christx30]

5. I used the

last of my severance pay to spend $2500 on a used Ford Taurus. Turns out it had a cracked block, and it died after a month. This hurt my family a lot. I've been getting on craigslist flagging the guy's ads and emailing people not to buy from him. I've already turned away at least 3 people.

[tomreedtoon]

7. Good for you, christx30! You're a hero.

Of course, even if it cost you a couple of hundred extra, it might have been worth getting a mechanic you trust to check over the car before you bought. There is, or was, a service that would do that in my town called Auto Critic, who could even do such checks at a dealership with all the needed stuff in their van. Saved me quite a bit on the last car I bought.

But getting after that bastard that cheated you is a noble action. Thanks on behalf of all of us.

[udbcrzy2]

4. Yes, dealer lot has very few new cars

My husband works for a dealer and their lot is pretty well cleared out.
They will be getting 2010 models next. They have been buying up used
cars (2009/2008). They have never seen this happen before. The clunker
program was a success.

This dealer is not closing. They are a popular dealer and the lot has
just been covered with customers.

[RedCloud]

8. We need coast to coast magnetic elevated trains. Get 'er done!

We need mass transportation that cannot be hijacked and by using magnetism and technology available since Abe Lincoln, we should create very affordable ways to get around and stop so much polluting!