Comments on: Cash for Clunkers Final Rules

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:33:22 +0000

I was told that in order to trade in your vehicle, it had to have 18 mpg when you bought it. No more, no less. It needs to be licensed and registered to the owner.

By: janet

janet — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:36:09 +0000

I went to buy a new car (cash for clunkers. Didn’t realize that my registration had expired by 17 days. Dealer said it would not qualify because it had to have one full year of registration to be elgible for the chas for clunkers discount.

By: C. Martin

C. Martin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:25:31 +0000

Having the same issue as many here regarding vehicle registration. Because we have been a military family, our registration is from out of state of where we currently live. Due to a variety of issues, renewals have often been a few to several weeks late and thus, there has been a ‘lapse’ in our registration. However, our registration still reflects the same renewal date, the same plate issue date, etc.! This seems to be a technicality that the dealers are using to ward off potential buyers under the guise of the ‘government’ is being extremely picky about the CARS rules! I understood that the requirement is to merely demonstrate ownership of the vehicle over the past 12 months…why are they reading so far in between the lines on this program?! Another Obama screw up!

By: Gerald Butler

Gerald Butler — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:16:36 +0000

What I want to know is how a poor person that has hospital bills can get financed? Also why cant a person get a used car that gets good gas mileage on the deal? I can get 8000,00 financed but the damn car dealers boosted the price to kick people like me out of a chance. I am not sure if the Gov is shooting a lot of us a line, or the car dealers are just crooked. It is a good deal for people who dont really need a new car to begin with it appears.

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By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 01:18:09 +0000

I want to trade my truck in for the cash for clunkers program, it says they have to be insured for 1 year and registered, it has been insured for more than a year, just not continuous, the vehicle was broke down for a little while and was not insured, so there is a lapse there and it won’t be a continuous year until October. Does this mean I don’t qualify?

By: Heidi Hanke

Heidi Hanke — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:49:41 +0000

I too have been told that if the voucher does not come in on time (10to14 days) I have to pay the 4,500. In addition on the day I purchase my new vehicle I can’t drive home in it. I don’t get it until the voucher comes AND I also can’t take my own car home with me. YES…they keep my car and the new car until the voucher comes or I cough up the 4500. I’m left with no vehicle for 10 to 14 days……NICE PROGRAM. GOOD JOB B>O>!!!! Way to think things through!!

By: Jane Marion

Jane Marion — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:38:55 +0000

I applied online, they told me I was pre approved and that my clunker qualified. The tabs expire August 1, 2009. By the time the bank gave final approval it was August 3, 2009. Now my vehicle does not qualify because I did not buy tabs August 1. So the deals off. Why would I want to buy tabs for maybe 1 day. Something is wrong with this picture. Why don’t they go by my application and approval date.

By: Eric Gulbrandson

Eric Gulbrandson — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:58:00 +0000

I was unable to complete my purchase as well for a technicality that my clunker’s registration tabs lapsed last year but I paid for the full year of registration once I did buy the tabs and the vehicle was insured and in use for the last 3 years.

By: Johanna Galick

Johanna Galick — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:42:02 +0000

Hi- Was told by a dealership in CT. that to qualify for the cash for clunkers program my car could not have more than 2 previous owners. I have not seem this anywhere-thanks.

By: Jaime Martinez

Jaime Martinez — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:02:11 +0000

My car is a 1999 LHS that does not get the 19 MPG that it originally got when new. It only gets 16.9, clear sign that it is a clunker. I wish the bill would have these kind of waivers.

By: jackie martin

jackie martin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:07:17 +0000

I have a problem with the registration of my car it is in my name and has been insured but did not renew tabs for about a month after they were due because we were in an accident and were not driving that car at the time but tabs are one and it is running. Why is it considered not registered or a break in registration? It was still insured and legally in my name.

By: Lisa Pannell

Lisa Pannell — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:38:58 +0000

I was denied because we had not paid our registration on time and let it laps. But the vehicle is still registered to me whether or not I paid the state their $65 or not. If something happened to the vehicle and they needed to track down the owner they would come looking for me. So why is it that I can’t get this cash for clunkers option? It stipulates that it needs to be registered to the owner for no less than one year. This to me means my name is on the registration and I need to have owned it for one year or more. Well I have owned this vehicle for 4 years. Anyone got a solution to this technicality?

By: kc

kc — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:09:40 +0000

Traded my clunker for a new car out of state. Dealer required addendum to be signed that says if the dealership doesn’t receive their government voucher money ($4500) for ANY reason (program out of funds, disqualification, rule change, etc), I owe them the entire $4500 within 10 days. All documents were submitted by me and my clunker qualifies they say…but hey, it is the govt. What if there is a hold up? And the biggest issue is that the dealership will not tell us when they will know if the voucher is approved and how long it will be before funds are sent to them (govt says funds arrive w/in 10 days of transaction–my tax check doesn’t come back that fast!)….which may be after my clunker is destroyed. So I could owe the $4500 (which I can’t pay so I have to return the new vehicle) and not get my clunker back! In the meantime, the new car is parked because they are getting it back if the deal falls through…whenever that is! I’ve called my congressman for clarification. As a consumer, I should be provided with a written guarantee that my voucher has been submitted & approved and the transaction is complete.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:39:02 +0000

The Act provides that the program covers eligible transactions beginning on July
1, 2009, prior to today’s final rule.

To the person that bought on 25 June 2009, the program didn’t start until 1 July 2009.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:57:38 +0000

Traded in my 1992 olds Silhouette this weekend for a new car. The website says it was 18 mpg but I’ve been doing some mpg tests and it’s really around 16 with a most highway driving. It sucks they take the mpg when it was new and not the current amount. I’m sure a lot of older cars are not getting their quoted mpg because of sludge and dirt and just being old.

Also in Ohio, I had to pay taxes on the $3500 credit I got because the dealer said if I didn’t pay them, they would have to. And they are not going to do that. Good thing we can stack stimulus programs so I will get back the $1200 in taxes I paid on next years tax return.

I also got $25 scrap value for my car. I’ve read where others got $250+ for their clunker. They should have made a mandatory set price for scrap in the final ruling. I believe my dealer is going to make more than $25 off my van just off the tires and rims alone.

By: S Deshotels

S Deshotels — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:20:15 +0000

My dealer says they do not know of an official disposal site in my area or any area for that matter.Is there anyway to find an official disposal site in La?

By: Doris Jacobs

Doris Jacobs — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:19:13 +0000

My 1984 Nissan 300ZX did not qualify because is was actually build in 1983. Nevertheless, I have been paying California State license fees for 25 years for a 1984 when, according to the Cash for Clunker rules, it is a 1983………..How wrong is that!!!!

By: James

James — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:29:37 +0000

Having the same issue with a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. I have called the hotline several times and cannot get an answer whether or not this vehicle will be added

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:50:11 +0000

My 97 Chevy S-10 qualifies but because I was 21 days late with my registration due to failed emission inspection, the dealer said I was not continuously registered for this year. I called DMV and they said I was registered for the whole year because I had paid my late fee. What does “continuous registered” mean? Does it mean you cannot be late with your registration?

I will be interested to see what you find out, as I renewed my registration 8 days late last year (8/8/08 instead of 7/31/08). I wonder if that means I have to wait till next week on 8/9/09 to pick up my new car instead of picking up this weekend to prove the 1 year requirement?

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By: chakrya simm

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By: david

david — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:33:47 +0000

married 18 years,vehicle titled in my name,registered in wifes and jointly insured,both names on new purchase,was told ineligble by dealership,is this true??????please help,gotta jumpstart this economy and save the envirnment at the same time.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:09:12 +0000

Just finished my transaction. Traded in a 2001 mazda tribute (18 MPG) for a totyota highlander. The highlander was a 4 cylinder and was not listed on the fueleconomy.gov website, only the 6 was. The dealership was forced to use the vehicle sticker to determine if we qualified. The sticker said 20 City, 27 Highway, 22 Combined. I am not sure how they are doing their math but that puts me 1 MPG shy of getting the $4500! The dealers couldn’t do anything and I don’t blame them but its frustrating that we are relying on a website that isn’t up to date. Oh, and fyi, I had to sign a form saying I was liable if the govt. didn’t pay up.

By: Jerri

Jerri — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:40:05 +0000

How long is this program good for?

By: Frederick E. Meiser

Frederick E. Meiser — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:33:12 +0000

Who can Help us?
I knew that the bill (Cash for Clunkers) was passed on 6/24/09 I saw an article in the Wall Street Journal.
My wife and I traded in a 2001 Lincoln Navigator 4 wheel drive for a 2009 Toyota RAV 4 on June 25,2009.
The combined EPA MPG was 12MPG for the Navigator.
The combined EPA MPG is 24 MPG for the RAV 4.
We bought the Navigator in 2002 with 26,000 miles on the odometer.
When we traded it in on June25th. it had 158,168 on the odometer.
When we bought the Rav 4 we had been to one other dealer and neither that dealer or the Toyota dealer knew any thing about the program. Had they known we would have waited a week before making the transaction.
The Dealer says nothing they can do about it.
My wife and I are both 65 and retired, $4,500 rebate would really help our financial situation.
Our question is where do we turn? Who would listen to us and be able to help us?

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:36:11 +0000

My Nissan truck qualified for “CARS”; insured and registered from day one – In Dec. ’08 a ten day Ins. laspe – Now I don’t qualify. A working man just can’t win with the “CHANGE”.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:23:48 +0000

Question regarding the insurance: it only states that the car had to be insured one year prior to trade in. we purchased a truck because our prior truck the one we want to trade in we took the insurance off 7/20/09. does that mean we are not eligible even though we have had insurance on the vehicle x 10 years and can show that.

By: r goode

r goode — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:40:30 +0000

My question is according to the rules of this law all cars traded in MUST be SCRAPPED. How is the gov. going to check and see that this happens. And how is the gov. going to handle dealing with all the corrupt dealers that are just going to send these cars back to the public by sending to the auction lots. And thirdly how and where are the dealers going to scrap them when there aren’t a lot of scrap metal places around. I personally don’t believe this program is meant to get rid of older gas guzzlers but rather to just boost sales to keep the car companys a-float. Once the dealers get there money from the gov. these gas guzzlers will flood the market again.

By: Alex Beatty

Alex Beatty — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:51:02 +0000

Joseph, go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm. You should be able to find the “official” gas milage estimates.

By: Joseph Rouser

Joseph Rouser — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:14:03 +0000

I have a 1995 Toyota Camry automatic. Am I qualified for the Cash for Clunkers program at this time? The ford website says I get 21 mpg, and the toyota website say I get 23. I know it has to be 18 mpg, but my car seems like it gets about 19, as it is in rough shape.

Any help would be appreciated.

By: Miles Diller

Miles Diller — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:56:19 +0000

My car is not listed on the fuelgov website but should qualify!! 1997 Jeep Wrangler 6 speed 4.2 liter.

By: Cloud

Cloud — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:15:15 +0000

Q: My parents own an old clunker. Can I transfer the title into my name and use it for a Cash for Clunkers trade-in?

A: According to Page 9 of the final rule published on July 24, 2009:

“Questions have arisen as to which persons are eligible to participate in the program and whether a person can trade in a vehicle owned by someone else, such as a family member. The agency has concluded that individuals as well as legal entities, such as corporations and partnerships, may participate in the program. However, a person may not trade in a vehicle owned by someone else under the program. The Act’s one-year insurance requirement is satisfied so lon g as the trade-in vehicle is insured, irrespective of the identity of the person holding the insurance policy. The specifics of these requirements are explained later in this document. “

Soooo? Can I trade in my parents car or not? The truck qualifies and I was on the insurance policy for over a year.

By: jerry wilson

jerry wilson — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:04:38 +0000

I recently took advantage of the government’s program to jump-start the auto industry. I traded in my 1998 Blazer (16 mpg) for a Jeep Patriot (FWD-23MPG)and received the maximum benefit of $4,500. Luckily, I was in a postion to trade because as we all know once a 4WD vehicle inSouth Dakota reaches 100,000 miles and “little” things start to go wrong or fall off, it’s time to find it a new home.
Chrysler’s added $3,500 cash back was very helpful in securing the financing I needed and I am very thankful.
The only down-side was that the local dealership personnel didn’t seem to know as much about this program as I did. All I did was check the internet every other day and tracked the progress of the bill from the very begining. Salesman have enough downtime; plus, I would have thought the sales manager would have instructed them to get familiar with the program because it was going to increase their traffic.
All-in-all, I’d give this progam an A-minus and can’t wait to see if congress will release another 2 or 3 billion and really help Detroit. They need it in every sense of the way.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:24:43 +0000

Our 1998 Chevy Venture would qualify but it is rated at 19 not 18?

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:28:59 +0000

I have a 1989 Ford F-150 4wd, 5.8L V-8 with an original combined EPA rating of 11mpg. I want to trade it under the program for a 2009 Ford ranger 2wd 4cyl with an EPA combined rating of 21mpg.

The trade in Ford is in drivable condition. I have a 13 year continuous title history on the vehicle and it has been continuosly insured. The problem is that I stpooed driving it last December because of the price of fuel and the exceedingly poor gas mileage. The registration expired and I did not renew it.

If I renew the registration now, does the vehicle qualify or does the lapse in registration disqualify it even though I can show continuous ownership?

By: ed r

ed r — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:22:42 +0000

who determines scrap value of car ?? we were all set to buy car (finalized purchase price and qualified for $ 4500 credit) when dealer said scape value has already beed calcuated into price. They did not list scrap value on contract. According to the law they must inform buyer of scrap value, but can keep $ 50 toward administrative costs.

By: Lukester

Lukester — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:48:16 +0000

I have been following this program since the beginning. I want to send my special thanx to this website for all of the timely updates and info.
Yesterday, I picked up my new Mitsubishi Outlander SUV. I traded in my 1995 gas-hog (I got about 12 mpg) Jeep GC. I was the first one to take advantage of the C4C at this dealer. Everything went smooth and I hope that they get their cash soon. Good luck to everyone else!

By: Pauley

Pauley — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:37:13 +0000

and I was preapproved a week ago set to pick up my car today and got there and “OH Sorry the bank said any trade that has a trade allownce from the cash for clunkers program will have to be reevaluated it is not a true commitment from the customer. UUUGGGHHH!

By: Pauley

Pauley — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:34:36 +0000

Frustrated……my credit isnt perfect , but the banks arent accepting the program as a commitment from the buying meaning they still want money ontop of the 4500……..Dealers not happy, Im not happy, I thought this is my chance fianlly to get to work safely

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:24:29 +0000

The CARS program is a bunch of CRAP. I checked out trading in my 1997 Grand Cherokee (16 mpg) for a new GMC Sierra Hybrid (21 mpg) – a 5 MPG difference – A New Green Vehicle – very exciting program – good in DC stop and go traffic and much better for taking my trash to the dump in the middle of Summer than my Cherokee. I meet all the criteria: ownership, mpg, insurance etc. Guess What? Not eligible! I couldn’t figure it out until I went the Federal Register One Day Notice for July 2, 2009 under proposed rules page 31817. In the table on the page, you can trade in a pax car, cat 1 or cat 2 truck for a pax car; a pax car, cat 1 or cat 2 truck for a Cat 1 truck; BUT IF YOU TRY TO TRADE IN A CAT 1 TRUCK FOR A CAT 2 TRUCK – NOT ALLOWED. This is confirmed on page 35-36 of the final rule dated July 23, 2009. So let me get this straight – I can trade in a cat 2 truck for a new cat 2 that gets 1 mpg more and get $3500 – FOR 2 MPG more fuel economy you get $4500 credit – THAT IS CRAZY and not about getting fuel inefficient vehicles off the road. Guess what? the GMC Hybrid is longer because they used the extended cab to put the battery under the rear seat! It is really not much really much heavier or bigger than the Jeep. What kind of dunderheads does Ronald L. Medford have working for him anyway – WHAT MOTIVATES THE CLUELESS BUREAUCRATS AT THE NHTSA TO DRAFT SUCH CRAPPY LEGISLATION!!! THEY REALLY SHOULD RENAME THE PROGRAM – THE BUNCH OF CRAP THAT TAXPAYERS DOLLARS WILL PAY FOR – TBOCTTDWPF – BTW – THEY ARE SETTING ASIDE $50,000,000 TO PAY FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF RUNNING THIS PROGRAM – . . . GEE MAYBE THIS PROGRAM IS A WINDFALL FOR THE NHTSA and a screw job for the taxpayer!!!

“Greg – the NHTSA didn’t draft the rules our legislators did. That’s why we have created the Cash for Clunkers petition at http://www.nocashforclunkers.com. The NHTSA is just carrying out what Congress gave them. The anger should be directed at our elected officials. – Editor “

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:36:39 +0000

My husband’s dad passed away a few years ago and left a car to my husband. My husband has paid insurance registration fee but can’t take advantage of the program because the car is not in his name.

By: Shelly

Shelly — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:03:00 +0000

I have read that the lien situation was under review by the NHTSA. Is their a final ruling on this?

“Yes- It seems that the car has to be paid off before being traded in. Editor”

By: Joan Troy

Joan Troy — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:48:48 +0000

I have a concern, I purchased a 1999 Honda Accord from independance Honda in my home town of Bloomsburg Pa. new off the lot. I finished my payments December of 2000. I was thanked by my dealership and told if I have any interests in purchasing another vehicle that I should come to them. I did in Late January of 2001 I needed to buy a car for my daughter. She wasnt sure if her credit would handle a hit like a car purchase. I knew she could handle the payments. To my astunishment I was turned down on credit so I had to pay cash for the car.
I was not happy with this since i paid the 1999 Honda Accord within a year of purchasing it. This should have made my credit and rating better than average. my credit is 850 and I have had no knocks against it. So why can I not get an approval for an auto loan.. I can buy a house any day of the year, but not a car?? Please tell me why. I was considering helping my other daughter unload her 1987 dodge pickup truck but not if I cant get an auto loan with a perfect credit score. I dont want the embarasment I dealt with in 2000.. So I am not in a hurry to find out that with perfect credit I can get bounced out of a dealership..
thank you JST

By: Shayla

Shayla — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:21:16 +0000

My dealership is having me come in on Thursday to pick up my car. That’s how backed up they are on purchases, and I was on a pre-sale waiting list. I’d rather go in and do it when they have all their ducks in a row, though, than to do it and have there be a problem. What’s a few more days, right? Good luck everybody!

By: nancy

nancy — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:08:23 +0000

Does the clunker have to be turned in at the same dealership that the new vehicle is purchased at? Or can the clunker be turned in at a dealership close by, and the new purchase in a dealership in another state that is farther away?

“The Transaction has to take place at the same dealership or dealership group. Editor”

By: TMH

TMH — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:59:14 +0000

Went to the dealer today to finish paperwork and pick up my reserved car; already gave info on trade-in. Dealer said government hasn’t given them all the information that they need yet to process the paperwork. There was some question about how to apply the credit and taxes that might apply (this varies by state). Was told that dealer was hoping to have info from government early next week. So hold tight folks! This may end up being a bit of a hassle to work through.

By: bfg

bfg — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:16:19 +0000

i have a 1998 venture at 19 mpg while 1999 is at 18 mpg and does qualify. these are indentical vehicles built on the same assembly line. all vehicles built same should be same not just the “year”, most 1999 built in 1998

By: Bernie

Bernie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:54:02 +0000

I see on page 31 it says “changes in ownership during this period to delete a co-owner due to death or divorce do not interrupt the continuity of the registration”
so long as my name was on the registration at the same time as the person who died?

my wife had the truck in her name on the registration and title only but I was listed on the insurance she has pasted away. this left me with no choice but to re-title the truck
im a bit confused it sounds like I will not qualify now?

By: bob

bob — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:48:04 +0000

@gregg…no you just walk in with your clunker and they will give you $4500…you don’t have to buy a car,

oh now wait ….of course you have to buy a car…a new one..by the sounds of it..with baqd credit and all you would be in way over your head