So called 'clunkers' are really cars with 5 or more years left.

[Liberal_in_LA]

Heard car expert on radio. His opinion...cars last much longer these days. So called 'clunkers' are really solid cars with 5 to 7 years left on them. These trade in programs will send those cars to car-heaven much earlier. Is this good or bad for the environment? Is it good for the economy?

[Warpy]

1. The cars will be stripped, crushed, and recycled

into new cars, frying pans, railroad rails, and steel beams.

Getting usable clunkers with five years left to pollute us with lousy MPG ratings off the road in favor of lighter, more efficient cars is a good idea.

[-..__...]

11. Or shipped down to South America/Central America.

Those folks will easily get another 100k out of a junker.

[Cleita]

2. Too bad I threw my offer away, but for the around $5,000 that they offered

to give me of federal money, they were pretty fussy about which "clunkers" they would take in. The funny thing was I was offered the same in a trade in months before the clunkers legislation came in. I thought the idea was to trade for fuel efficient cars yet there was no mention of what the new car would be. Apparently, anything on the lot including gas guzzlers are included. It looks like the taxpayer got ripped off again.

[tammywammy]

8. The car you purchase has to get better mileage than the "clunker"

What is the value of the credit for the purchase or lease of a new passenger car?

The value of the credit for the purchase or lease of a new passenger car depends upon the difference between the combined fuel economy of the vehicle that is traded in and that of the new vehicle that is purchased or leased. If the new vehicle has a combined fuel economy that is at least 4, but less than 10, miles per gallon higher than the traded-in vehicle, the credit is $3,500. If the new vehicle has a combined fuel economy value that is at least 10 miles per gallon higher than the traded-in vehicle, the credit is $4,500.

www.cars.gov

[stray cat]

3. I thought they had to be less than 20 years old - the car expert is delusional

[Cirque du So-What]

4. I believe the stimulus to the economy is the primary goal

Putting cars on the road that get higher mileage is a good thing, but this program is certainly not cost-effective if improving gas mileage is its purpose. I predict that the program will help the economy overall, but that it's a self-limiting benefit. Not everyone will qualify for the credit it will require to purchase new cars - even when the 'clunker bonus' is factored in. Also, people who still have jobs are generally skittish about taking on new debt - rightfully so. I'm also concerned that this program may drive up the cost of used cars that are the only transportation some people can afford to purchase.

[Blue For You]

5. He may be right, but it depends on the condition of the vehicle.

My 1992 Chevrolet pickup has 128k miles on it, it's in superb condition and could easily go another 75-100k miles. I can't imagine why I would trade it on a new vehicle at this time. In fact, I don't see my truck as a "clunker", even though it's on the list. Now for a qualifying clunker that's on death's door, it might make sense to replace it.

[gaspee]

6. Uh - not mine

2001 Dodge dakota, 165,000 miles, major repairs needed - including the transmission rebuilt again (just has it done last year.) It gets 12 miles to the gallon. I'm getting an HHR which gets 25-30.

You don't know what you're talking about.

With the incentive, the HHR costs less than my pickup did. Without the incentive, I couldn't afford a new car and I'd have to just keep crossing my fingers that today isn't the day my truck dies. Oh, and my job is delivery, so I'd be really screwed. I've been riding a pretty high stress level about it for months. I can't wait untl Wednesday (when I'm supposed to be getting the new car. Huge peace of mind.

[SharonAnn]

10. What's an HHR?

[RB TexLa]

7. The program is only concerned with pumping some fast money in a dying industry

[Selatius]

9. I got a hand-me-down 1995 Toyota Camry. 174,000 miles and still going strong.

I'm probably going to have it for several more years.

[pipoman]

12. $3500 to $4500

isn't enough to make buying a new car a good deal for most people. A 3 year old car with 30k miles will cost far less, insurance and taxes will be much less and the mileage will be the same as the new car. New cars are a huge liability.

[dysfunctional press]

13. chrysler will match the federal money- giving you a total of $9000 off...

you could effectively get a new jeep compass or a new caliber for $10,000.

but i still can't afford it.

[Richard Steele]

14. Not the one I'm driving. nm

[IDemo]

15. My '93 Toyota has just under 50k miles

and is hardly a clunker, though it would qualify as one under the program. Unless I win the lotto or a dirt cheap electric vehicle comes out, I won't be giving it up anytime soon.