Cash for Clunkers Euthanasia Video: Sickening

[superchunk]

TheRealMafoo said:

superchunk said:
Well, if the purpose of trading in "clunkers" was somehow enforced it wouldn't be simply losing probably decent cars like that Volvo. The idea was cars that we see daily on roads spewing smoke and probably needing yearly fixes was to be traded in. Its a good plan with great intentions. However, the people who will take advantage of it have money to spend in car payments and thus wouldn't be driving pure 'clunkers' in the first place.

The purpose was to get cars with 18 mpg or less off the road, and get cars at 28 mpg or more in there place. The quality of the car traded it was/is of no concern to the government.

if that car gets 18 miles or less to the gallon, and is driven every day, it's exactly the car targeted for this deal.

If that's good or not, is up to the people to judge, but please don't suggest that this kind of thing was unexpected, or even undesired by the people who formed the plan.

When I read the description of the plan from various sources before it launched they all described the situation as 'clunkers', meaning cars that should be retired. Not cars that are simply 18mpg.

The problem was the lack of foresight in that people with clunkers are typically those who simply can't afford car payments. So they wouldn't even consider trading it in as they couldn't afford the eventual car payment.

The other fault was the lack of advertising as to when it actually started. Those not really looking for cars, i.e. those with clunkers as described above, had no idea it was in affect. Example, my father in law with a 20 year old van that really is a clunker. He wanted to use this to get a newer van. However, I had to break the news to him yesterday when he brought it up that it already passed and he needs to call dealers to see if/when it may get renewed.

Its a good idea. Just poorly implemented.