Weighing in
A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news
The “Cash for Clunkers” program, which encourages trade-ins of gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient vehicles, was featured in print and Web editions of The Spokesman-Review. To see the full exchange, check out the Saturday posting “Cash for Clunkers Program Begins” on Huckleberries Online at www.spokesman.com.
Bent: I refuse to buy a new car. It is a total waste of money. I only buy used cars that I can afford to pay cash for. And I don’t do car lots, period. I commute 70 miles a day, so buying something too nice doesn’t make financial sense… Plus I’d bet money the cost of all new cars went up by at least $3,500 on Friday.
Lewis Henderson: The economy is getting worse; more people are being laid off. And it is not a surprise that government still thinks we can afford a new car with the increase in insurance costs. I own both my clunkers free and clear and only carry liability insurance. If I traded in one clunker I would have a car payment every month with comprehensive insurance, which would cost on the average 600 bucks month. Who in this economy has 600 bucks extra in their budgets?
Toadman: Wow … the cynicism, the bitching, the negativity, selfishness and complaining is thicker than usual today. We just bought a new (to us) vehicle, then drove it 4,000 miles within the space of two weeks. I was glad to stimulate the economy in any way I could. You’re welcome.
Frum: If I had a clunker, I would love doing this. I would even turn in a non-clunker if they let me.
Jreighley: Generally, I think this is a bad idea.. The environmental impact of building brand new cars far outweighs the few mpg that you save… Yes, it is good for the automakers. But most of them are federally owned these days anyway right? …
EagleKeeper44: I NEVER buy a NEW car. You take a killing on depreciation that first year! Every time I replace my primary vehicle, it’s with a one or two year old vehicle. Example, I just purchased a 2008 Buick that new sold for $35K for $19K. It makes no sense to buy a NEW car even with tax incentives and “Cash for Clunkers” programs. Just another waste of our tax dollars.
moscow_minidoka: It’s a bad program, and wasteful. And really, the incentive is simply not enough to make me trade in my perfectly good vehicle (and doom it to the scrapheap, no less!) for a new car. If they were giving me a $10,000 incentive, or $15k, then I’d do it. But why would I want to raise my insurance and have car payments again if I don’t have to? I can’t afford car payments right now. … I think this is one program that will be a bust, to be honest.