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Cash for Clunkers - Good or Bad Idea?

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Comments

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    The timing chain tensioner on the 3800 series 1 V6 in my Pontiac Bonneville finally wore out after 140,000 or so miles. I had to replace the tensioner and the chain plus while I had a third of the passenger side of the engine off I changed all the sensors on that side, oil pump, water pump and after I broke a bolt off in the timing chain cover so I bought a new cover too.

    Most cars with timing chains don't have scheduled replacement services. You just replace the chain and tensioner when they wear out.

    Engines with timing belts are much cheaper to build then engines with timing chains. They weigh less and an interference style engine is much more compact especially if it is a four cylinder.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    (I got the ad.)

    An interesting trend I'm seeing over on Edmunds Answers is that some would be clunker people aren't going to qualify because they have a gap in their insurance coverage during the last year.

    One case just involved a move and misdirected mail while another was a true clunker that wasn't worth insuring since, although the car sort of ran and was still registered, it had been parked for a few months. Then when the clunker law was passed, whoops, that's a problem.

    It is sort of a nice "gotcha" for those intentionally driving bare just to save a buck, who would otherwise now want to trade in their clunker.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    I'm sure they do,which is why I asked,or attempted to ask,if there is a schedule for replacing timing chains.If there is mine might be due after 155,000 miles.

    I don't think there is a set schedule for timing chain replacement. As long as you change your oil fairly regularly and don't let it run low, they should theoretically last forever. Especially in a pushrod engine where there's not a very long distance between the camshaft and crankshaft.

    Back in 2001, when I didn't know whether my Intrepid had a chain or belt, I emailed DC, and got the following response...

    "Thank you for your e-mail regarding your 2000 Dodge Intrepid.

    The 2.7L V6 engine has a timing chain. DaimlerChrysler recommends that you have the chain inspected at approximately 105,000 miles to determine if it needs to be changed or adjusted.

    I hope you find this information helpful.

    Thank you again for writing."


    Now, I have no idea how you inspect the chain. Don't you have to tear into the engine to do that? And at that point, if you're in there that far, might as well just do it, anyway? Or maybe there's a way to measure how much slop there is between the camshaft and crankshaft? My mechanic at the time said that as long as I kept up on oil changes and didn't let it run low, it should be fine. He might not have expected me to keep the car this long, though!
  • BMW540BMW540 Member Posts: 33
    Can you lease a car for 3 years when you turn in your car for cash for clunkers or only 5?
    Thanks BMW
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    A lease has to be at least five years in order to qualify.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I don't know of a way to inspect the chain without taking the cover off and, yeah, if you go to all that work, you might as well just replace it.

    If a tensioner go's bad, you'll know it and if a timing chain REALLY get's worn and stretched you may hear it rubbing on the inside of the cover.

    As far as "adjusting" it, I have no idea how a person could adjust a worn timing chain?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    How long will the money last?

    "The Cars.gov Cash for Clunkers website has gotten at least 1.3 million hits since it was launched only weeks ago. The government's hotline got 10,000 calls this past week.The Edmunds.com Cash for Clunkers page got 16,000 hits in its first three hours."

    Savvy Shopper: Cash for Clunkers Questions (Edmunds Daily)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    you'd have to be a little loopy to lease a car for 5 years. That's a rather bad thing to encourage people to do. I object !!!! :surprise:
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    I'm with you, Shifty. When I was in the business, I only remember doing one five-year lease. The guy was so far upside down in a car he couldn't stand, the only way we could get him out was to roll the negative equity into a five-year lease on a new '96 Accord coupe. Hope he liked it--there would've been pretty much no way out of that lease!
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    All good questions...

    from the selling side..

    There are several open issues, and in the absence of clear guidance from NHTSA I'm wondering if different dealers will approach each one differently:

    1. Paperwork snafus. Will dealers have adequate info to perform due diligence on the C4C vehicles? Will they apply a uniform standard of documentation? Will insurance companies be prepared to issue a standard "statement of continuous coverage" if I can't find an outdated insurance card because I cleaned out the glove compartment? Will DMV offices around the country be providing a "statement of continuous registration"? Or will lots of folks be unable to take advantage of the program because they lost last year's registration card?

    Paperwork is key. No paperwork, no deal. From our pov, we aren't taking any chances that vehicles are not what the prospective buyer represents them to be. If the customer's paperwork isn't in order then he/she just has to go back and get it in order.

    2. If a dealership does its due diligence and then receives notice of a problem from NHTSA, will that come back to bite the dealer--or the customer?

    The rules are pretty clear and direct. At least as we see it now. The NHTSA has specified what they need. We will get that documentation at the time of exchange. If they change the rules and tell us that other docs are needed then we'll just have to go back to the buyer. But right now there are no such uncertainties. The only one that might be in effect is if there is a loan outstanding on the clunker and the lender holds the title. The lenders often are not that quick to pass along the titles after the liens are paid off.

    3. What happens when the $1B runs out? Will dealers who have voucher claims pending be left out in the cold? And if so, will they go after the customers for more money after the fact?

    As noted before the program was originally foreseen to last one year and inject $4 Billion. If the program is a raging success and it begins to run out of money in say 60 days then I'm certain that it will be extended another 90 days and another $1 Billion until the $4 Billion is reached.

    4. The latest info from cars.gov says dealers can begin to register on the 23rd, and processing of vouchers will begin on the 27th. Are dealers vetted at all in this process--do they have to designate someone as their C4C point person, and have that person demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the regulations?

    Local issue. We have handouts for the buyers and preprinted forms and laminated desktoppers for the public. Every salesperson and every manager is aware of it, some are more aware than others.

    5. Perhaps most pressingly of all, can all of these matters be resolved by the time the program "goes live."

    It is going live on Friday.

    My usual response to a situation like this would be to wait a few weeks for the bugs to be worked out of the system, but of course there's the possibility of the program ending early because the money runs out.

    I'd be particularly interested in hearing from anyone out there who works for a participating dealership on these matters. I think the stickiness of some of these rules will make it even more important than usual to buy from a trusted dealership.


    We are the largest store of any brand / any make in a 150 mi radius.. We're ready to roll on Friday.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    With a few isolated models all Toyota vehicles now use chains. None ever need to be replaced or serviced. There is nothing in any Toyota service regimen that requires maintenance or replacement of any timing chain. New and better technology since the 70s and 80s.
  • kris_loehrkris_loehr Member Posts: 4
    I have the perfect C4C but most likely will not be able to trade in under the program it in a 1989 Bronco full size with fuel rating mileage of 13 combined. I have owned it since 1995 but in December I transferred plates to my 1995 Accord and two months later my wife 2003 Accord blew up so I transferred plates to the Bronco from her Accord and had to transfer title on the Bronco to my wife. If anyone has heard any different I could use the help. When I called the C4C line they said the two months unregistered made me ineligible.
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738

    Engines with timing belts are much cheaper to build then engines with timing chains. They weigh less and an interference style engine is much more compact especially if it is a four cylinder.


    Yet Toyota managed to do both by just putting cut-outs in the tops of the cylinders so even if the worst happens, nothing makes contact. Small, interference, and chain or belt makes no difference if it breaks.

    I still maintain that engines that grenade when the belt or chain breaks are a known defective design.
  • 94gs94gs Member Posts: 59
    We are the largest store of any brand / any make in a 150 mi radius.. We're ready to roll on Friday.

    Do you think the following will work on your dealership?

    1. A letter from my insurance company saying I have continuous coverage for at least one year.

    2. Current registration card and a copy of last year's registration card (I am lucky to keep last year's; otherwise, I need to pay $15 and fill out a form to request DMV to provide a copy of my registration history).

    3. Title of the car (no lien)

    4. A print out of the MPG raging of my car from http://www.fueleconomy.gov/.

    I am not sure the dealer will accept item #4...

    How will the dealers verify the MPG rating of a trade-in?
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    1 Yes
    2 Yes
    3 Yes
    4 Yes, that's also the site that we're using for verification of whether a prospective clunker qualifies or not.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    " I'm certain that it will be extended another 90 days"

    Oh, really? They can change the rules at anytime. I wouldn't be so sure of anything.
  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    Is that article saying that they will match the government's incentive? So if I get a Jeep Compass and trade in my 18 mpg T&C --- I'll get not only $4500 from the government, but Chrysler will add $4500 to it?
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    Yeah, but you'd be stuck with a Jeep Compass.
  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    You can hate me all you want, and tell me my experience is not what it is, but I've had good luck with Chrysler's.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    You can hate me all you want, and tell me my experience is not what it is, but I've had good luck with Chrysler's.

    I think Stephen meant that as a joke...although from what I've heard, the Compass isn't too highly regarded. However, I do know someone who has one, and loves it.

    And with Chrysler doubling the voucher, I have to admit, it's starting to get tempting. I like the new Ram pickup. Only problem is, they don't make a Ram that's economical enough, compared to my '85 Silverado, for me to qualify for the $4500. My truck is 13 mpg combined, while the best the Ram ekes out is 16. Doesn't matter if it's the V-6 or the Hemi, it's still 16. I'd also be afraid of a truck that big with just a 3.7 liter engine!

    Still, I'd qualify for the $3500 rebate, which would come out to $7K if Chrysler doubles it. Awfully tempting, but still, I don't know if it's enough to get me back into car payments and increased insurance and such. And still, for something that would be a backup vehicle for the most part.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Sure they can. All the auto industry has to do is get their congress people lined up and do it. In the face of raging demand from the buying public, if that's what does actually occur, then an extention for another 90 days is easy to justify since it responds to the 'voice of the people'.

    Remember the auto industry wanted a 12 month, $4 Billion, 1 million unit program. It was shaved down to 90 days, $1 Billion and 250,000 units in order to satisfy a certain group of skeptics.

    If the sound of the public pounding on the doors of dealerships demanding to drop off their guzzlers is loud enough then it will be an easy step for Congress to satisfy that demand. Extend the program. They wrote the law they can change it if the public wants it changed.
  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    Thanks - sometimes a deal is extremely good. I rented a Patriot 2 years ago, and no, it was not the best handling vehicle nor the most refined or comfortable... but $9000 + off the price? I'm tempted to test drive a manual transmission Compass they have here.

    Not sure about the safety though.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    I was just curious to see if any of my cars qualified, so I took a look on the gov website. According to the site, my '92 Mazda pickup (what I would WANT to use for the program) gets 20 mpg combined, while my wife's '87 BMW 325 gets 18. I find that very odd since I would have a very difficult time getting such low mileage in the BMW. We get 24 in mixed driving without even trying. So, the reality of the situation is that I could turn in a car getting 24mpg for one getting 22mpg and benefit from the incentive.

    So this has pushed me from the camp of "I don't care" to "this is a bad idea."

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,096
    Maybe I overlooked it earlier, but this isn't one of those deals where everything is based on full MSRP, right? I am sure those numbers are a bit inflated, and one might be able to do just as well on their own.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    but $9000 + off the price?

    My guess is the Chrysler money is in lieu of any other rebates/incentives (as fintail commented). So it is probably exactly $9k off the sticker. However, its not really "off" the price because you are, after all, giving them your T&C to send to the crusher.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    My T&C doesn't have much value due to high mileage and trashed interior and even some minor body damage that was never repaired. I'm the poster child for this program.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    Even if it's off MSRP, I'd imagine that $9000 off of a Jeep Compass would be pretty substantial. I doubt those have much margin in them anyway. What do they start off at, maybe $18-20K?

    Something like a Dodge Ram, which is what I'd be in the market for, would have a lot more margin built in, so $9000 (or $7000 in my case) off probably isn't that big of a deal.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    On a bit of a different note, you can get a 2009 Hyundai Accent base MT for $9,046 TMV ($10,690 MSRP).

    It gets 29 combined so a minivan swap for it yields the bigger $4,500 voucher.

    Ignoring tax and title, you could get into a brand new car for under $5,000.

    The car may not be your cup of tea, but half off is killer.

    I'm beginning to understand why the local dealer has 10 or so presold cars on their back lot.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Of coiurse they can. They can do anything.

    You used the word certain and nothing is for certain.

    Just keep printing more money as our national debt remains on a corkscrew to hell.

    They could make this a permanent program if they wanted to.
  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    STOP. Your are confusing me!!

    Just kidding. This car is for my teen sons to drive. Recommend whatever based upon safety and price. I don't want to spoil them by giving them leather seats and plush interiors. I tell them that if they want those things they will have to study hard and work hard to enable them to buy these creature comforts in their own cars someday.

    Think about the humility experience my son is coming off of. He had to drive the T&C last year with the trashed interior and body damage. But he actually didn't want to get rid of it!! Says the Infinity stereo system is the best. Was a big hit with his friends until summer came (dead air conditioning).
  • 94gs94gs Member Posts: 59
    Remember the auto industry wanted a 12 month, $4 Billion, 1 million unit program. It was shaved down to 90 days, $1 Billion and 250,000 units in order to satisfy a certain group of skeptics.

    My understanding is that the 1B is for this year's budget. CFC is still a 4B project. That means, there will be CFC from next year's budget (the eligibility requirements may change).
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,384
    Oh, that Infinity stereo would have been the whole value of the car if not for C4C... Had one of those on my old Sebring convertible. Very nice.

    I've had very limited personal experience with Chryslers but like you have done very well with what I have had.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,729
    So if you have a Clunker that's on it's last leg hangin by a thread, and then you get rearended totalling it, and the insurance company offers you $1,000 for it, can you say no way, give me $4,500 because that's what the government says it's worth now?

    Sounds like a logical argument to me that this insane illogical program has led to instantly making the value of all clunkers that get poor mileage worth $4,500. ALL clunker TMV's should be adjusted to 4,500.

    However, I have a feeling insurance companies will use another illogical argument to wiggle out of this "actual cash value" argument. What do you think?
    '15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • joegiantjoegiant Member Posts: 90
    That's exactly what I was thinking. I've got to go about 50 miles or so to the dealer in a couple days to make the transaction good. Every car that gets around me on my way better BACK OFF!!! My $50 twenty two year old pickup truck is about to turn into $4500! Don't mess with me. I'm on a mission!!!!
  • stephen987stephen987 Member Posts: 1,994
    You can hate me all you want, and tell me my experience is not what it is, but I've had good luck with Chrysler's.

    I don't hate you. I don't even mildly dislike you. I have no reason to do so. And I have never said anything about your positive experiences with Chrysler products.

    Also, I do own a Dodge truck.

    But the Jeep Compass has been almost universally panned by everyone from Consumer Reports to Edmunds to Car & Driver to Mother Proof. Hence my joke, which apparently was not received in the spirit intended.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,729
    I wouldn't worry about offending former/current Chrysler owners in general. For every Chrysler customer like Maryh3 who feels Chrysler has provided a great ownership experience, there are a hundred others who feel Chrysler is the Anti-Christ or worse.

    100 unhappy unsatisfied customers for every satisfied customer.... hmmm... sounds about right, since they've gone bankrupt twice now. You don't get to being bankrupt without losing a lot of customers. I mean a LOT of customers have been lost forever. Even non-customers are lost because relatives and friends who witnessed your ownership experience first or second hand know better than to mess with Chrysler.

    I can't help but think that my ownership experience with a Dodge during the 90's helped influence my other teenage friends to buy Honda's as their first cars that they bought with their own money later on in life. It's not just bad word of mouth, it's knowing that friend you always haad that can never drive anywhere because his car's always in the shop (either that or he was cheap and didn' t want to use his gas).
    '15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    $9000 off of a Wrangler... I'd still buy a Toyota.
  • 94gs94gs Member Posts: 59
    From cars.gov:

    "NHTSA will provide you with guidance on how to process the transaction, checklist for accurately completing the transaction and examples of mistakes to avoid."

    Has your dealership received the checklist? What are they?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    What do I think?

    If you get rear ended just make sure the car can still limp into a dealer under it's own power. That way, you'll get the 1000.00 from the insurance co. AND the 4500.00.

    Hmmm..I think I better stay WAY back of any clunkers until this program ends.

    Someone just might unplug their tailights!
  • lgradlgrad Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2006 Town & Country van with 24,000 miles. I tried to buy a new 2009 Town & Country with my 2006 as a trade in and cash. Guess what, the dealer acted like they have a gold plated product. They all start with the ficticious "Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price" and made some "factory" deductions. What a sham.
    I guess they like customers with no cash or no job, just like the housing bubble sales.
    They can't handle a cash customer. I would give them $10,000 and my 2006 van, take or leave it.
    I'm keeping my 2006 until it falls apart.
  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    Just came from the dealer. We know more than they do about this new rebate thing than they. How Chrysler is handling this is that they will be giving mostly $3500 or $4500 rebates on their 09's. I think that as of tomorrow, the 09 T&C van will have a $4500 rebate.

    This would be in addition to any C4C money.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    They don't include the Wrangler. Arguably the best vehicle they have to offer.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,384
    No doubt why they don't include it...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    I laugh on my way to the bank. My buddies who got the 2000 Oddy, and keep replacing the transmissions, can't even get rid of them with this program. Government says they get 19 mpg as opposed to my 18 mpg 2000 T&C. :P
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Well as I said in my previous post I personally am pretty certain that they can and will extend the program if demand warrants it. If not then it will go away. Personally being a bettor I'd lay odds that this program will go 12 months with $4 billion being given back to us and involving 1 million turn-ins.

    We'll see.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Yep.
  • maryh3maryh3 Member Posts: 263
    But the Jeep Compass has been almost universally panned by everyone from Consumer Reports to Edmunds to Car & Driver to Mother Proof.

    I am aware of the ripping on of the Compass. But the Manual Transmission does give it as different feel. Then again, I'm coming off of driving a minivan for the last 15 years and anything with a manual transmission feels fun to drive for me.

    That said I will probably stick with buying the Mazda Tribute AT because I think it is the safer car. I would be exchanging the AT in the Mazda for a 4 wheel drive in the Compass. Both would be about the same price.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Well, before you were "certain" and now you're "pretty certain".

    Me, I have no idea? I wouldn't even want to take a guess.

    And they aren't "giving" us anything. Where do you think 4 Billion dollars will come from? Oh wait...I know...the printing press!

    Anyone else scared?
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,729
    And smarter people laugh at you ripping off our country using the C4C program.

    The Oddy will sell for more than $4,500 without government assistance because it's a good vehicle, your T&C wouldn't sell for $100 to many former Chrysler owners (unless they know about the C4C program) :P

    So it's really the Honda owners that laugh on their way to the bank with fantastic resale value that doesn't rip off our fellow countrymen in the process.
    '15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
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