re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

Looks like you have outdated information.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-down-cash-clunkers-july-24th.html#post908952

Turns out that starting Friday, dealerships can 'register' to participate in the program. Once they do, they need to wait and be approved, at which point they will be issued a userid/password to login to the Clunkers system in order to process vehicles. The approval process is expected to take at least 2 days. Tag on the fact that it's a weekend...

Call your dealership; I believe many dealerships were notified of the process today and should have the updated information on the registration process.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

My dealer group has all the done... They have 25 dealerships..we are glad it is starting.........scare it will go fast...

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

See this is the thing.. I have my Prius reserved for me, and I plan to participate in the cash for the clunkers program, but if I get to the dealer and the money is gone I'm going to be one pissed off person.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

How was your dealership(s) able to register when the program hasn't launched yet????

The NHTSA just released the information this morning on the dealership registration process that will start Friday.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

Exactly what I'm wondering...

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

There seems to be a lot of concern that the funds will run out almost immediately.

There's enough $$$ for about 250,000 cars or so. I'd be very surprised if that many cars are sold almost instantly.

And, remember, this is only really valuable to someone that has a car to trade in that is worth less than $4500. And can afford to buy a brand new car in this economy.

That's fewer people than you might think.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

Amen to this.
Although a lot of manufacturer's car models will qualify, there are an awful lot of Prius buyers who will wait for the right model/package.
And, a quarter million cars is a lot of cars to sell in 1 day. Even 1 week. Isn't it?

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

How about one month, though? Don't forget that Hyundai has been selling under the guise of the CARS program since the beginning of the month and they were followed by some dealers who could afford to do it independently. At this point, a large number of dealers are taking trades for the CARS program. All of them are holding paperwork and will be begin submitting claims shortly after NHTSA begins accepting them. I don't think the money will be gone in the first day, but I would be fairly surprised if it lasts longer than a few weeks.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

Excuse me, are you a salesperson trying to cause a frenzy to get sales for yourself? That's what it looks like. I've spoken to several reputable dealers and none of them have taken the attitude you have.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

Nor have I. This program is not going to run out in a day or even a week.

If it is as popular as you are thinking, than it will most certainly be extended by congress soon.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

I think this program is focused too narrow. The trade-in car has to be rated at less than 18 combined mpg by the epa. Off the top of my head I think the trade-in CAR will have to be a late 80's to early 90's v-8 engine domestic sedan. And even then the car might be rated at 20 mpg. It seems to me that this program is specifically targeting trucks and suvs. I like the idea, but I think the intentionally left out a lot of people.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

I believe that to be the point of the whole thing. To clear the streets of gas guzzling, air-polluting cars and trucks and SUVs that folks wouldn't junk themselves. To see if the federal stimulus will force a quarter million people into more fuel efficient, cleaner burning vehicles.

re: It start Friday the 24 "cash for clunkers"

Kevin, with what $ ? I don't think we really even have the billion he's set aside for the package to begin with, but perhaps they are hoping to appeal to the car makers (to help financially) who are being positively affected by this event?

I don't think it was a good plan. Most of the people that are still driving cars built between 84-94 can't even afford a new car. It would have been a much better idea to just give the credit to anybody who wants a car that will get a combined 30-35 mpg.
Just my opinion.

Looks like they updated the CARS.gov - Car Allowance Rebate System website a few minutes ago. It's official, the 'consumer side' of the program begins July 27. That's when we can go in and trade in our clunker.

I guess we can all enjoy our weekend now while we wait for Monday morning. ;-)

Some dealers are taking trade ins before the deadline. I purchased a 2010 prius on July 16, 2009. I picked up the car and gave them my clunker (Dodge Ram 1500) on July 20, and picked up the Prius on the same day. The $4500 was discounted at that time. They are holding the paper work until today to send it in. There were several other people at the dealership on the same day, mostly older folks that were doing the same thing. Another dealer in the area was not pre participating. There is some risk the dealer is taking by doing this but it may be less than the ones that are not. I paid cash for my car and evidently others were doing the same thing. Not trying to create a frenzy just giving you the facts.

My parents have a deal ready and are waiting for the program to become official to actually do the transaction. They picked out a car, agreed on a price, and put down a $500 deposit. The dealer marked the car as sold and took it to their storage lot until the CARS program officially starts. My parents are waiting for the call to go and sign the paperwork.

I personally don't believe this program will sell out in a week but I doubt it will last more than a month. More than 800,000 cars are sold every month even at our current rate of 10 million cars per year. Add in the extra volume generated by this program and 250,000 vouchers will go quickly. (For those that think it will be extended, remember congress will be on their August recess so no reauthorization could happen till at least September.)

Clunker Confusion: MPG Figures- Yahoo! Autos Article Page


Can't trust em. Anybody here get affected by this garbage?

I wasn't affected.
My 1997 Blazer qualified and the paperwork wasn't overly complicated.