Comments on: Cash for Clunkers is a Waste of Government Time, Money

By: karenc

karenc — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:49:22 +0000

To stimulate car sales, Congress only had to allow people who donate car to charity to claim the book value on their taxes. This way every car is eligible and there are no burdensome administrative costs.

By: Andrias

Andrias — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:50:10 +0000

Well I’m not really sure if my car is a gas guzzler. I wish someone could tell me. It’s a 1999 escort and it’s small and white. I sure would like a new car.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:31:58 +0000

I don’t qualify because my car already gets good gas mileage. My dad swears by the car buying process here: http://excarsalesman.typepad.com/ It is kind of similar.

I haven’t tried it yet, but I might because it looks good.

I have a feeling dealers are going to automatically increase prices because of the increased demand (artificial) for lower MPG cars. So the thousands of savings from this bill for consumers is not entirely accurate. The demand will increase prices and you’ll get a voucher from increased prices. I’m certain some markets you’ll come out even as if they never offered this voucher. It is poorly written legislation.

By: Jaxon

Jaxon — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:52:13 +0000

My dad swears by the car buying process here: http://excarsalesman.typepad.com/

I haven’t tried it yet, but I might because it looks good. I have an old civic that doesn’t qualify

By: J

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:40:58 +0000

Cash for Clunkers is yet another optimistic endeavor that won’t live up to its intentions. Even before the House approved, it hurt sales in the auto industry: http://businesstrends.wordpress.com/2009/06/03/cash-for-clunkers-declining-consumer-confidence/

By: Liz

Liz — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:40:27 +0000

BETTER IDEA – Offer a $4,500 credit to retrofit gas guzzlers to get an extra 10 mpg. Someone like the Motorhead Jonathan Goodwin whose retrofitting Neil Youngs Cadillac has experience in retrofitting SUV’s to get 60mpg – I’m sure he could come up with a $4,500/10 mpg upgrade. The technology exists but the Big Three Auto companies continually crush innovation because they are in bed with the oil companies. This approach would create jobs and avoid the toxic disposal of crushed SUV’s. Also, all the individuals who didn’t fall for the TV ads about SUV’s won’t feel like their getting a raw deal again.

By: Brent Wong

Brent Wong — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:33:36 +0000

Of course this plan is a waste of money. But how else is the (partially) government owned car companies going to start selling their cars again. If you take a look at some of the people backing it *cough*UAW*cough* it all starts to make sense. And everything will start to look worse as people start off buying cheaper, foreign made cars instead of US brands. But, hey, that’s just the way our country is heading.

By: Nicholas Butler

Nicholas Butler — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:18:56 +0000

We have the same scheme here in the UK interestingly enough it was also recently introduced. The Goverment gives you £2000 to trade in a car over 10 yrs old and buy a new one.

Its not really working and people are wondering why its okay to subsidise a business that places handouts over innovation