Cash for Clunkers

[TheMightyQuinn]

[TJ_98370]

I just showed this thread to the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) consideration in my household. She told me that she doesn't appreciate some of the comments because they don't agree with her opinions.
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What is with that independent thinking thing anyway?

[S-Crow]

TJ-

As if there is not an endless supply of automobiles for sale on a given....oh second of every day. I must be getting older and more mellow because in years past I normally wouldn't let snarky remarks from a salesperson trying to build a sense of urgency about the program going away without at least a modest small rebuttal. I just don't let it rattle me like it used to. For a person to talk to me about "losing out" is just laughable. I still have my principle and a car that get's me from A to B. If we can't come to agreement usually the person I work with say's we can't get the car for less or that it is worth more, I just casually state the car is only worth x amount to me which usually puts a pretty substantial ending to the negotiation.

I've told several people I have talked to on lots if they find something they like to not fall for the increase in sales price baloney. Start at invoice less2 % and go from there. The new "market price" stickers they are attaching is really abhorrent. I'm very tempted to individually call out the dealers pulling this garbage to unsuspecting consumers. I've gone to a lot of dealers over the last two weeks: Chevrolet, Ford, Subaru, VW, Mazda, Hyundai, & Kia.

[vermillionsky]

S-Crow,

You're not the only one seeing this type of dealer behavior:


I wish the national media would report on this. maybe it would shame these guys into behaving better.

[TJ_98370]

S-Crow,

I totally agree that the sales spike with new cars right now is short term. Like you imply, it's due to the "I better get it before it's all gone" mentality that is being stoked by dealers. It's remarkably similar to the "I better buy a house before I get priced out" mentality at the height of the real estate bubble.
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Sales will crash after CARS Program stops being funded and hype dies down. About four years ago, I actually had a car salesman GET DOWN ON HIS KNEES asking me to buy a car. I expect similar come this fall / winter.

[TJ_98370]

[TJ_98370]

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[FreedomLover]

[TJ_98370]

[rose-colored-coolaid]

[TJ_98370]

Wow! The new car inventory at the local (Bremerton) Toyota, Nissan, and Honda dealerships has been decimated. Down maybe 70% to 80%. Three weeks ago their lots were maxed out. Now there are empty expanses of asphalt where new cars used to be parked. GM, Lincoln-Mercury, Kia, and Volkswagen look to be about normal.

[rose-colored-coolaid]

[TJ_98370]

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KIRO 7 News report linked below:
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SEATTLE -- Roland Toyota in Everett had more than 50 new Toyota Corollas just a few weeks ago before the "cash for clunkers" program began July 24, now they are down to only seven.
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"I've worked here for over four years and this is the busiest we've ever seen it," sales manager Jim O'Neal said. "It's been nonstop, we can't close down after 9 and I've been here till midnight a few nights."
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O'Neal said Roland Toyota has sold over 200 cars since the CARS program began, the most popular car being the Toyota Corolla.
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According to KIRO 7 Eyewitness Reporter Graham Johnson, the lack of cars available at many dealerships is an increasing problem in Western Washington and across the U.S......

[TJ_98370]

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for now.

BERLIN -- For months, European car buyers have been junking clunkers for cash, boosting automakers sales -- but making experts fear that once the government handouts stop, the struggling car industry will return to a slump no pile of cash can conquer.
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The various programs have surged in popularity since France introduced the idea in December 2008.
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Germany, Italy, Britain, Romania, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Serbia have introduced their own versions aimed at shoring up local automakers, from Germany's Daimler AG to Romania's Dacia.
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While critics contend the billions of euros in handouts only benefit auto makers at the expense of other industries and have just delayed a slump in car sales, proponents point out that it has kept large companies operating and helped reduce layoffs and temporary shutdowns.
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But only for a time, some fear. The question is, what happens when the money runs out -- will the industry ease off the ramp or drive off a cliff.
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"It is a question of somewhat forestalling the inevitable," Paul Newton, an auto analyst for IHS Global Insight, told The Associated Press on Friday. "The reality is that without it, the chances are you'll see a lot of businesses going to the wall."......................
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[TJ_98370]

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US News link:
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The Top Ten Cash for Clunkers New Cars:
1. Ford Focus
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Corolla
4. Toyota Prius
5. Ford Escape
6. Toyota Camry
7. Dodge Caliber
8. Hyundai Elantra
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevy Cobalt
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The Top Ten Cash for Clunkers Trade-Ins:
1. 1998 Ford Explorer
2. 1997 Ford Explorer
3. 1996 Ford Explorer
4. 1999 Ford Explorer
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
6. Jeep Cherokee
7. 1995 Ford Explorer
8. 1994 Ford Explorer
9. 1997 Ford Windstar
10. 1999 Dodge Caravan
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I think '90's vintage Explorers are going to become an endangered species

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Apparently Edmunds.com questions the goverments ability to count things, which should be a legitmate concern for us all
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Because of distorted sales figures, Ford's Escape cross-over SUV, not the Focus small car, tops the list for most popular 'clunker' buy.
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NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- What are people trading their clunkers in for? It depends on who you ask.
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The government's results showed small cars as the top choice for shoppers looking for Cash for Clunker deals. But an independent analysis by Edmunds.com disputed those results, and showed that two full-size trucks and a small crossover SUV were actually among the top-ten buys.....
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Edmunds.com: Top Clunker Buys

The most purchased vehicles under Cash for Clunkers if 2WD and 4WD versions are included.

Rank - Vehicle

1 - Ford Escape
2 - Ford Focus
3 - Jeep Patriot
4 - Dodge Caliber
5 - Ford F-150
6 - Honda Civic
7 - Chevrolet Silverado
8 - Chevrolet Cobalt
9 - Toyota Corolla
10 - Ford Fusion
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=================================
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And this Seattle PI article published a slightly different list. I'm so confused.
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Top 10 vehicles purchased
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Ford Focus FWD
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Hyundai Elantra
7. Ford Escape FWD
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevy Cobalt
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Top 10 trade-ins
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F-150 pickup
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
6. Ford Explorer 2WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer
8. Ford F-150 pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD
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Avg fuel economy
Avg new vehicle mileage: 25.3 mpg
Avg trade-in mileage: 15.8 mpg
Avg increase: 9.6 mpg
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