Cash for clunkers: How it works
The program has generated enormous interest, but you have to play by the rules -- and act fast, too.
NOW THAT'S A CLUNKER: The Mercury Grand Marquis is a prime example. (Photo: superterrific/Flickr)
- The trade-in can’t be more than 25 years old;
- You have to use the rebate for a new vehicle, but you can lease instead of purchase;
- The car has to have been registered and insured in your name continuously for a year before you make the trade. You can’t buy a $50 car and make $4,450 from it;
- Your old car will definitely get squashed — the program requires the engine and transmission to be disabled. The upside is that you get the scrappage fee, minus $50 for the dealer.
- Apply early. Judging by the considerable public interest — just look at some of the Internet postings about the program, many of them inaccurate. The program could run don’t need. No advance paperwork is required before the deal is signed, sealed and delivered.
- Go for the larger rebate. There’s a wealth of great cars out there that get at least 30 mpg on the highway, and some of them are very affordable. Trust me on this: Gas prices are going to go up again.
If Cash for Clunkers is a roaring success, Congress could put more money in and extend the deadlines, but the small size dictates it’s unlikely to be as stimulating as, say, Germany’s program, which caused a 40 percent rise in new car sales. So, as we said in the 60s, seize the time and crush that clunker now.
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Comments
Using Clunker Bomb huh? Has anyone bothered to look up the MSDS on this product or know the enviromental impact since this product is supposed to destroy engines/transmissions. I'm not an enviro-tard. Just think this program was rushed before researched just like a 1.*** trillion worth of other programs lately.
This is the antithesis of green practice, wasting perfectly good cars to save a few gallons of gas. Meanwhile you are using Clunker Bomb which destroys the engines in a matter of minutes, sounds like some pretty nasty stuff. On top of everything, isn't this encouraging people to go into more debt by taking out car loans?
No that car in the picture is not a clunker under the current program. The Marquis listed in that picture is from the mid 70's. Another fallacy of this program. This program should have allowed cars from the 70's.
