Comments on: Who Are You Calling “Clunker”?

By: Nira C

Nira C — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:03:20 +0000

I agree with L Saltford. It was a welcome program for me as my 1999 truck was costing me more than I could afford. Repairs and gas prices over $4.00 (thankfully lower now) were making it difficult for me to run my hobby farm. Though I usually buy used (as I did with the truck), I could not pass up this opportunity to obtain a new, more fuel-efficient truck. It will be maintained lovingly and will no doubt last a lot longer than the 1999 vehicle did. Not everyone needs a truck, but I do and I feel good about driving a vehicle that gets 12 more miles per gallon.

By: jeffrey widen

jeffrey widen — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:11:06 +0000

I think that the “cash for clunkers” program was conceived of to pacify the government representatives who stand for the ever-failing rust belt….there weren’t any handouts for the auto industry. I know..I live (and garden on a small plot 35 x 114) there. We haven’t seen any difference. There are no new jobs and no less foreclosed or more affordable homes. I guess it worked for someone..but not the line worker.

By: L Saltford

L Saltford — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:34:10 +0000

Well, I must admit, I seem to have another point of view. There are pluses and minuses to most things, but I don’t for instance think of a 1997 car as a clunker. In fact a car in good working condition of any year would not qualify as a clunker in my mind. The year does not determine the quality of the car.( And that goes for people as well.) And I do agree that some people are more able and apt to take wonderful care of their cars for very long times, more than others. That is not true of all people or all cars. A car that is costing more than it is worth to maintain and guzzles gas, in many states will not pass inspection in those states and will not be drivable no matter how much the owner might prefer otherwise. If my car was in such a condition I would probably have been in line for the program. I believe that is what the program was for along with the additional benefit of bringing a number auto-related concerns back to life.
I also believe in maintaining things I own and do so to the best of my ability routinely, but sometimes that just isn’t enough.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:00:21 +0000

My 1993 Volvo 240 station wagon has 202,000 miles and is just hitting its prime…certainly not a clunker but since it has gotten 24 miles per gallon since day one it doesn’t even qualify by the governments calculus. We seem to be rewarding folks who have driven inefficient automobiles for years by giving them an incentive to buy only slightly less efficient new models. Why not give me a $4500 incentive to get my trusty Volvo a paint job and some upholstery work stimulating small independent businesses instead of the already bailed out auto industry that is only going to get a “good month” for all the trouble.

By: Mary Stegemiller

Mary Stegemiller — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:48:22 +0000

Well done. Hope you sent this to Washington.

By: Gail

Gail — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:02:44 +0000

I call it Cash for Rich Peoples’ Clunkers. I drive a 74 Cutlass (too old) and an 84 Audi (too high gas mileage), also a 2008 road bicycle for daily commuting. No rebates on any of these.

By: linda

linda — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:59:12 +0000

I finally had to retire my Mercedes 280SE after 28 years, a very sad day. I now own a 1991 Mercedes 350SDL, and for many years to come.

By: jennifer/ jemmadesigns landscape

jennifer/ jemmadesigns landscape — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:30:29 +0000

Yes, yes, here here, and think of the energy(knowing that we haven’t figured out how to uses energy without pollution resulting)it takes to junk those cars-’recycle’ the materials. It’s all a lie. An elaborat sales job, like the old ali hakim-the peddler in OKLAHOMA! jennifer

By: Bobbi Smith

Bobbi Smith — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:15:28 +0000

Great protest. Very insightful. Not only does it hurt repair shops but used car dealers. They are really suffering loss of sales.

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:07:53 +0000

I am a 68 year old recently widowed lady. I have a 1997 Buick LaSabre, which I have taken in every 3000 miles for a tune up. I figure if I keep the car long enough both of us should clunk together and the problem will be solved.
A Michigan Widow