Cash for Clunkers Advice: Go Buy A Car Fast
Now that the Cash for Clunkers program has been funded with another $2 billion dollars, what should Americans considering the CARS program do?
If you qualify and would like a new car the answer is simple:
Get out a buy a car quickly.
Watching the Senate vote last night to approve the funding was an education in itself. It was clear after a few hours of banter that the supporters of the bill had enough votes to fend off amendments and get the funding approved.
Consumers who qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program and are consider purchasing a new car should get going fast! This $2 billion may seem like BIG money but it will be gone in a few weeks. The news coverage since the first $1 billion was authorized has more than tripled. Every day TV commercials from the major automotive manufacturers are talking about the Cash for Clunkers program.
The race is on once again to get your car purchase completed under this current round of financing. If you are thinking about particpating for too long, you could be locked on in a few weeks.
We are wondering when the funding runs out, does the bill sponsors have enough support to dip into the till once again?
Will the same logic be used to get another $2 billion in funding? September will be interesting.
Before You Visit A Local Dealer
Save yourself time and aggravation this week. Follow these steps for a successful Cash for Clunker experience. Dealers will be flooded with interest so if you show up without the proper paperwork, you will be asked to come back another day.
Also keep in mind that car dealers have Internet staff to handle email requests so if you want to avoid being put on hold by the switchboard, complete the form on the left and we’ll have a dealer in your area call you!
If You Are Running Out The Door – Stop!
Of course, if you want to head out the door now, please check off that you have ALL items on our Cash for Clunkers checklist before you leave. Trust me, you will not like what happens when you go to a dealer unprepared.
- Download our Cash For Clunkers Checklist
- Using our checklist, go to www.cars.gov and qualify your clunker.
- Understand that if you don’t qualify, your local dealer cannot change the rules.
- Review all factory rebates that may be added to your CARS credit. Check our list
- Call ahead to verify that your dealer is still participating.
- Call to see if the car you want is in stock.
- Negoitate your best deal.
- Keep in mind that you may not be able to drive away with your new car untill all your paperwork is approved by the government.
Best wishes and good shopping.
Tags: car buying, cash for clunkers sales, cash for clunkers tips
9 Responses to “Cash for Clunkers Advice: Go Buy A Car Fast”
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We bought a HHR on 7/31/09 and traded in our 1999 dodge caravan. The GM dealer, Kelley Chevrolet in Fort Wayne, IN is refusing to give me my car. They have even processed all the paperwork and sent in my loan. The onstar has been activated and I am getting paperwork from GM on a car which I don’t have. It is against the law for them to hold the car until they get their money which is what they are doing.
I have called the CARS program and filed a complaint and they said Kelley Chevrolet will be fined. They told me to call the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney Generals office which I have done as well. I have also called Congressmen Souders office as Kelley said they were talking to them. Please Help me!!
I purchased a truck and turned in my clunker. My dealership, Herb Chambers in Massachusetts refuses to give me my truck. He says he is waiting for government approval. I have called the CARS program and according to them it is totall illegal to withholed my truck. I have NO vehicle now since they have possession of my original truck and my new truck. Are other people exeriencing this ripoff?
An MLM home, which one of?As our pets, also offers an.And tutors as, less than normal.It didnt seem cash for clunkers, system go round lives A good.Contents more exposure, diseases and illnesses.,
@ Brian…I hope you will update your info above, ie: 8.Keep in mind that you may not be able to drive away with your new car until all your paperwork is approved by the government.
Please advise that this would be ilegal according to the rules.
Also, perhaps you could add advice to the consumer to NOT sign any waivers pertaining to the liability of the CARS credit, and to shop around until they find a dealer that is willing to play by all the rules. (Including releasing the new car immediately and not requiring any waivers or deposits against the CARS credit.)
They should be aware that often a dealer can get a car for them that is on another dealer’s lot, even across state lines.
This website has been a great value to consumers, especially in providing a place for sharing information and experiences with each other. Thank you.
I have a question: My Dodge Dakota is listed as a qualified clunker. for some bizarre reason if I Purchase a 2010 Toyota Camry on the calculator in get $3500 for a Camry (27mpg) and a Subaru Forester gets me $4500 (23mpg)? Less money for more mpg!! That does not make sense…Can I contest this…???
Ohio Greg is correct in his reply to Mike.
Buyers should try to consider this an “Available from In-stock” vehicles. If the vehicle is in-transit to a dealer or on the ground at another dealer it is possible that a dealer will do the transaction for you since a VIN for these is generally available to issue the RDR (retail delivery report).
But do not count on that flexibility right now! It is fraught with peril under these circumstances and probably not worth the aggravation.
To add emphasis to the above article, I had two appointments and one fresh customer that showed up to buy and take home their new car. ALL THREE had paperwork issues. Appears one of them (given today is Saturday) made it to DMV Friday and resolved. The other two are dead-in the-water until at least Monday.
BUYERS PLEASE READ THE NOTED CHECKLIST, DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND COME TO THE SHOWROOM DIALED. DEALERS CANNOT “WELD THE CRACK OF DAWN” ON THIS PROGRAM.
Here comes the nightly commentary…
I won’t go into the numbers again. I’ve posted them several times already. The math of this program doesn’t seem to add up. The CARS program is going through cash like a drunken sailor on shore leave, and I suspect the additional $2B is already gone.
The only reason CARS is still going is because the government has inadequate fiscal oversight to know the real-time financial obligations of the program.
I still believe that CARS is in trouble. Perhaps that’s why the administration won’t release any specific information about the program’s status. The Associated Press has sought release of CARS data since last week…but we’ve seen nothing. Where is the transparency?
Story:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090804/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_cash_for_clunkers_transparency
The little bit of data that was released about CARS was manipulated by the feds to eliminate trucks from the top 10. That’s certainly not helping their credibility…
Story:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/07/autos/cash_for_clunkers_sales/index.htm
CARS Officials: Why the mystery? Release some real data…and don’t doctor it up this time!
Approvals are taking 10+ days…
Customer vehicles are being held hostage…
Buyers are asked to assume responsibility if CARS won’t pay…
Dealers are owed millions of dollars by the government…
Everyone is getting nervous…
…and nobody from CARS is talking.
Mike -> “If we order new would we be able to get the cash for clunkers to apply to that new ordered vehicle?”
Probably not…but you can always check with your dealer. I bet you can’t get a rebate without a VIN of the new car. An ordered car does not have a VIN number until weeks after the order occurs. The CARS funding is going to run dry sooner than anyone thinks. Your best bet is to find a car on a lot. A cooperative dealer can help with this, or you can do it on your own.
One tool that is useful is http://www.cars.com You can use this site to search for a specific new model within a set distance from your own area. I used this tool to not only find a specific model, but also the lowest price. I had to drive 100 miles, but it was well worth it.
Good luck!
we are looking into buying a new vehicle and the ones on the lots around here are not available. We would like to order the 2010 but they say that is not possible that we have to take what they have on the lots. Is this true? If we order new would we be able to get the cash for clunkers to apply to that new ordered vehicle.????