Comments on: ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Finds its Congressional Sponsors

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:09:20 +0000

A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800 gallons of gas a year.

A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480 gallons a year.

So, the average Cash for Clunkers transaction will reduce US gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.

They claim 700,000 vehicles so that's 224 million gallons saved per year.

That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil.

5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption.

More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs about $350 million dollars

So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $350 million.

We spent $8.57 for every dollar saved.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:09:20 +0000

By: daveknight

daveknight — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:39:29 +0000

I scrapped a 2002 escalade for $4500 and got a saturn that gets 32 mpg. well it was a horrible idea and i dont care that much about the world

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:35:47 +0000

You live in California! You have smog because there are millions of people living in a very small low valley.. Retro-fitting would be the way to go, even though it will never happen. I personally think it is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. In this economy, someone like myself cannot afford to buy a new vehicle. There is no way my husband and I, even with us both working could afford a new vehicle payment. This bill will only help those who 1) already drive newer vehicles 2) have extremely good credit. If it had of included newer USED vehicles, it might have help a whole lot more low-income families and accomplished what they are wanting too. Our government has lost all touch with reality!

By: Mr.Rick

Mr.Rick — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:27:36 +0000

what dumb idiots! what politician would scrap there limo, and so what makes them think the American people want to drive cheap euro trash cars, or ultra cheap Asian junk!
Its bad enough some CEAOs sold America out for a few Benji's, I'm a Vet served so idiots like the ones mentioned above sadly could do there job, but if you want my Chevy Van it'll cost ya 20K!

By: Mr.Rick

Mr.Rick — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:27:36 +0000

By: David Adair

David Adair — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:41:12 +0000

Very bad bill. It would be much better to give grants to people to fix there older cars at local shops.
It would put people to work in all segments of the aftermarket including dealer shops. It would fix cars that most people cant get loans to fix making them mobile. Think about it.
You can read my letter to the aftermarket through CAREAUTO.org, AERA.org, WAWA-PSA.org

By: DWScott

DWScott — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:10:34 +0000

Just as CEO's who bankrupt companies get bonuses, people who recklessly squandered our resources by buying hogs get compensated for their effort – while, in both cases, the rest of us pay the price for their stupidity. I expect to soon see a tiny silly car pull up, then our leadership to start pouring out of its door. This will happen right before the dancing bear act.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:32:08 +0000

This bill is not good. So, let me get this straight. Under this program, “they” want to give me a $2000.00 – $4000.00 check for my 93 Cobra Mustang, semi low mileage equipped with a power adder, which deems it a gus guzzler. This vehicle see the road 25-50 days a year. This Mustang passes CA strict smog laws. The reason I do not have/want a new car, is because I do not want a car payment. I have 2 vehicles that are paid off. I have spent 3/4 of my adult life dealing with a car payment. It feels good not to make a monthly car payment. So, they take my vehicle and give me a check. I will have to take out a loan to purchase this vehicle. What if my credit is subpar? Will the auto makers give me a good % rate wih my subpar credit? The auto makers need my help, I do not need their help. Heck, the auto maker execs just came back from Capital Hill asking for a bailout with taxpayers money. Some may say, use your savings, you don't need a loan. Sounds good, but I was saving that money for a house, emergency fund, etc.
This bill will will cause more harm than good

By: Teri

Teri — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:31:47 +0000

Sounds good but unrealistic. You have an economy where people are losing jobs left and right, banks are not lending and people are not spending. So if I understand this correctly people are to turn in their cars which are owned free and clear for a credit towards the purchase of a new or used car. Why not just pay people to turn in their old car and then they can use that money for mass transit, a new/used car or even for car pooling, a motorcycle or bicycle.