BREAKING: Lawmakers reach agreement on Cash for Clunkers legislation
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on May 5th 2009 at 2:27PM 
It appears that a U.S. "Cash for Clunkers" program is right around the corner now that President Obama and the U.S. House of Representatives have come to an agreement on how the bill should be structured. However, it's not a done-deal yet, as the legislation still needs to get through Congress.
Details remain sketchy for now, but under the proposed legislation, new car buyers trading in an older vehicle that averages 18 miles per gallon or less will qualify for a voucher that's worth $3,500 if the new car gets at least 22 mpg and up to $4,500 if the new car manages at least ten mpg higher than the "clunker."
Trucks would also qualify for a voucher of $3,500 if the new vehicle gets at least two mpg better than the old one or $4,500 if the new truck manages five mpg better than the trade-in.
Unlike some previous proposals, both foreign and U.S.-made models would qualify for the program. It's not yet clear how the bill would be funded, but it would reportedly be available for one full year and up to one million total new vehicles.
[Source: Detroit Free Press | Photo by Project 404, CC2.0]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
ij70 2:30PM (5/05/2009)
Gimmy, gimmy, gimmy!
:-)
Reply
Rob 2:52PM (5/05/2009)
NO! Not gimmie. New cars are NOT good for the environment. The energy, resources, time, jobs, and pollution created by repackaging the same thing over and over and over is NOT a good idea. It is much better to MAINTAIN existing vehicles until they are no longer able to be maintained.
This stupid idea is NOT good for the environment.
And also, it HURTS hobbyists. Like older cars? Well, now they'll mostly be crushed to save a few bucks on a new car. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE STUPID PLAN.
The Luigiian 2:55PM (5/05/2009)
@Rob: It isn't designed for the environment. It's designed for the economy, with the environmental parts owing to the idea that if people are going to buy new cars they'd might as well buy cars that get better mileage than their old ones.
9600baud 3:16PM (5/05/2009)
I dont really get it, why not just give everyone $4.5k and call it a day? Even better, make it so you can only spend it on a new car and it expires in one year. Why do you need to have the whole mess with the trade-ins especially if the overall environmental benefit is negligible at best and negative at worst?
Rich 3:42PM (5/05/2009)
@9600 baud: because the improved MPG is a necessity to break dependence on foreign oil. Again, an economic concern, not an environmental one; but one that environmentalists can get on board with.
Personally, I would like to see far more rigorous roadworthiness testing, like the UK or France. Only two tests are done on vehicles in Arizona: fuel leakage and exhaust emissions. Why is my suspension not being checked? Tires, bodywork, lights, electrical systems, steering, and drivetrain? Where are the road safety advocates?
ij70 4:31PM (5/05/2009)
@Rob.
Dude, if you want to save environment, then go and kill yourself. Ok?
The rest of us got things to do.
Rob 5:28PM (5/05/2009)
ij70: Hey Jackass. I'm not trying to save the environment, I'm pointing out that this bill, which is supposedly better for the environment, ISN'T. I'm also pointing out that as a car enthusiast who loves rat rods, lowriders, classics, musclecars, 70s barges, 80s compact performance vehicles, and early to mid 90s sports cars, I HATE THIS LAW.
People are going to be crushing old Chrysler Newports in decent shape because they aren't worth $4500. ARGh. Someday, maybe when you only see classic iron in a museum, you will understand the repercussions of such a horrible law that is trying to delete the history of the automobile, and make it harder for people to keep their older vehicles maintained.
RWD 2:46AM (5/11/2009)
Rob, you know it's not mandatory right? There will be no LAW forcing you to turn in a beloved classic. And I don't think there are going to be too many enthusiasts voluntarily turning in their vintage Mustangs or what have you for $4,500.
Secondly, driving a new car with better mileage and lower emissions is absolutely better for the environment. Keep in mind that these cars people will be buying have already been built and are currently taking up space on dealer lots. The fact that we are all greedy bastards and we hunger for newer, better, faster things is a separate issue, which I happen to agree with. But all the "energy, resources, time, jobs, and pollution" involved with building new cars would have been spent whether this program existed or not. The only thing the program could change now is vastly improving the efficiency and emissions of a million vehicles, and giving the economy a boost... I don't think that could be a bad thing.
Noz 1:10AM (5/06/2009)
IJ70...
Suck on an exhaust pipe and let us know how that goes since you think it's not important to clean up the environment.
Sea Urchin 2:34PM (5/05/2009)
OK, i am moving to France, i am tired of socialism.
Reply
mapoftazifosho 2:36PM (5/05/2009)
Um, the irony of that statement is just awesome!
KeatMP 2:41PM (5/05/2009)
hahaha
ronEbear 2:41PM (5/05/2009)
Socialism, EEK!
(runs to nearest cold-war era bomb shelter designed to hide from the evils of *GASP* .....communism)
blackmage439 3:00PM (5/05/2009)
Urchin,
I've already torn you down once for being ignorant about France's BLATANT Socialism, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop. What part about France offering free healthcare for some ailments don't you equate to universal healthcare and Socialism? Oh, and pay no attention to France's bi-partisan government, of which one party is titled the French Socialist Party.
Your attempted trolling is just embarrassing. Just please leave and save us your drivel.
ronEbear 3:15PM (5/05/2009)
@blackmage439
It appears as though Mage Academy contains no teachings related to the use and detection of sarcasm. Maybe if you joined the Red Mage`s guild, who specialize in some humour spells, you would have sensed the irony.
Rufus 10:17PM (5/05/2009)
Uh, dude, I'm a French-American. And France is a heckuvalot more 'socialist' than here.
Personally, I don't have a problem with the S-word, but if you do, France/Europe is the last you want to go. Come to Texas instead :P
dsuupr 2:35PM (5/05/2009)
How disappointing.
Why the cave in for foreign products? Why not atleast offer more for someone who purchases North American / US made products, no matter what manufacture.
Why are we not getting rid of the old smaller cars that have horrible emissions as well?
Reply
mapoftazifosho 2:37PM (5/05/2009)
You can get rid of older smaller cars as well. And the EPA website has updated and created projected fuel economy standards for vehicles tested before the 2008 testing change.
ij70 2:44PM (5/05/2009)
I guess you have not heard about UAW and Chrysler stock for equity deal: "UAW president Ron Gettelfinger says that the union will dump its entire stake in the company immediately."
http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/uaw-says-it-will-dump-stake-in-chrysler-can-taxpayers-dump-thei/
Jay 3:03PM (5/05/2009)
Yeah, I was hoping for something based on the age of your car. My 8 year old cavalier doesn't qualify (24mpg combined according to the new standards, 30 based on old).
The credit would have probably put me over the top for buying a new car. Guess I'll keep driving it until it dies like I was planning on.