Comments on: Cash For Clunkers We Say Scrap It! http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/ Sourcing & Trading Intelligence for Global Metals Markets Wed, 23 May 2012 01:31:00 +0200 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: John Ernst http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-16697 John Ernst Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:31:28 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-16697 I wished we had this scheme in Australia, it would save many jobs in our Auto industry and would certainly clean up the air and save the environment the CO2 savings alone make it a cheap out for future damage. I wished we had this scheme in Australia, it would save many jobs in our Auto industry and would certainly clean up the air and save the environment the CO2 savings alone make it a cheap out for future damage.

]]> By: Geo http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-15922 Geo Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:12:49 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-15922 C4C officially ends today, after $3 billion has been spoken for. Many pre-program editorials (like this one) suggested that those of us who drive older less valuable cars must certainly do so out of poverty, else we certainly would have bought something newer before now. Contrary to that status symbol mentality, not everyone considers having a new car to be that important, especially if the only thing "wrong" with our current car is its age. I guess we didn't realize that we were expected to put "new car" ahead of saving for our future, traveling, improving our homes, or just being content with what we have. Now that the program has been tested, it seems that plenty of people driving "clunkers" were able to afford new cars. I did. And I would venture to say that a few billion dollars more could be spent if the program continued without limit until November. With the numbers in, any retrospective feedback from those who ventured to say that "people who drive cars worth less than $3500/$4500 probably don't have the money to buy a new car anyways."? C4C officially ends today, after $3 billion has been spoken for. Many pre-program editorials (like this one) suggested that those of us who drive older less valuable cars must certainly do so out of poverty, else we certainly would have bought something newer before now.

Contrary to that status symbol mentality, not everyone considers having a new car to be that important, especially if the only thing “wrong” with our current car is its age. I guess we didn’t realize that we were expected to put “new car” ahead of saving for our future, traveling, improving our homes, or just being content with what we have.

Now that the program has been tested, it seems that plenty of people driving “clunkers” were able to afford new cars. I did. And I would venture to say that a few billion dollars more could be spent if the program continued without limit until November.

With the numbers in, any retrospective feedback from those who ventured to say that “people who drive cars worth less than $3500/$4500 probably don’t have the money to buy a new car anyways.”?

]]> By: Blace http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-14970 Blace Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:29:05 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-14970 Personally, I'm sick hearing lip service for this thing. We put loads of money into a 89 Chevy Celebrity and to have it regarded as just a piece of junk is heartbreaking! At least if you're going to try and have a program, then name it aptly! I don't believe the campaign for as it is being handled now is fair to a lot of people who have old cars. Scrap the damn program while you're at it, besides all the unqualified clunkers. Personally, I’m sick hearing lip service for this thing. We put loads of money into a 89 Chevy Celebrity and to have it regarded as just a piece of junk is heartbreaking! At least if you’re going to try and have a program, then name it aptly! I don’t believe the campaign for as it is being handled now is fair to a lot of people who have old cars. Scrap the damn program while you’re at it, besides all the unqualified clunkers.

]]> By: Geo http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-14535 Geo Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:43:04 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-14535 No Free Lunches: There is a lot of talk out there about the success of the clunkers program. Given that it was available, I took advantage of it. The benefit I received from federal tax money is far less than what I pay each year in federal income taxes, so I don't feel bad about taking some of it back. But economics is about choices -- what we're willing to give up to have something else. There is only so much money to go around. People who bought new cars because of this program now have less money to spend on other things. Perhaps they'll spend less at restaurants or movies, cut back on travel, or buy less expensive clothes for their kids' return to school. Perhaps they'll decline the new furniture they had intended to buy, or the new kitchen appliances. You get the idea. C4C is not free money. It gives the auto industry a boost not only at the expense of the national debt, but also at the expense of those other industries that just missed making a sale. No Free Lunches: There is a lot of talk out there about the success of the clunkers program.

Given that it was available, I took advantage of it. The benefit I received from federal tax money is far less than what I pay each year in federal income taxes, so I don’t feel bad about taking some of it back.

But economics is about choices — what we’re willing to give up to have something else. There is only so much money to go around.

People who bought new cars because of this program now have less money to spend on other things. Perhaps they’ll spend less at restaurants or movies, cut back on travel, or buy less expensive clothes for their kids’ return to school. Perhaps they’ll decline the new furniture they had intended to buy, or the new kitchen appliances. You get the idea.

C4C is not free money. It gives the auto industry a boost not only at the expense of the national debt, but also at the expense of those other industries that just missed making a sale.

]]> By: Jacob http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-14512 Jacob Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:48:03 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-14512 As with most government programs, the success of the "cash for clunkers" program is not measured in how well the consequences of the program align with the stated goals of its advocates. Nor is it measured by any economic impacts the consequences might cause. Instead, just like the example of the public library in George Dance's recent article about Booze and books, the success is measured by participation or usage, not by any measure of the value provides or harm it does to our economy. The trick is to define the program specifically so that it has a known demand so the usage is high. Media spin and politics will make sure the right people hear the program was successful and beneficial. I heard a bit on NPR just today about the downstream benefits that recycling all these old cars has. Ridiculous of course, but the perception amongst the voters is far more important than the actual results and consequences. Certainly there will be follow-on programs, cash for major appliances, cash for tools, etc. As with most government programs, the success of the “cash for clunkers” program is not measured in how well the consequences of the program align with the stated goals of its advocates. Nor is it measured by any economic impacts the consequences might cause. Instead, just like the example of the public library in George Dance’s recent article about Booze and books, the success is measured by participation or usage, not by any measure of the value provides or harm it does to our economy. The trick is to define the program specifically so that it has a known demand so the usage is high. Media spin and politics will make sure the right people hear the program was successful and beneficial. I heard a bit on NPR just today about the downstream benefits that recycling all these old cars has. Ridiculous of course, but the perception amongst the voters is far more important than the actual results and consequences. Certainly there will be follow-on programs, cash for major appliances, cash for tools, etc.

]]> By: Geo http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-14384 Geo Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:19:09 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-14384 Based on current reports, it appears that there are plenty of people with clunkers who can afford new cars. Not only that, but many cars in excess of $30,000 have been sold. I was shopping for cars in the $30- $35-thousand range. I'd find something close to what I wanted on a dealers web site only to learn it was already sold by the time I called. Patience and persistence paid off. I traded my 96 Jeep for a new Ford Escape Limited last night. I was able to get what I wanted as it rolled off the truck at the dealer lot. With options, the sticker was $33,000+. Maybe t is true that most people with clunkers cannot afford new cars, but there were enough to apparently blow through the first billion in a week or so. Based on current reports, it appears that there are plenty of people with clunkers who can afford new cars. Not only that, but many cars in excess of $30,000 have been sold.

I was shopping for cars in the $30- $35-thousand range. I’d find something close to what I wanted on a dealers web site only to learn it was already sold by the time I called.

Patience and persistence paid off. I traded my 96 Jeep for a new Ford Escape Limited last night. I was able to get what I wanted as it rolled off the truck at the dealer lot. With options, the sticker was $33,000+.

Maybe t is true that most people with clunkers cannot afford new cars, but there were enough to apparently blow through the first billion in a week or so.

]]> By: JimWHenry http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-13008 JimWHenry Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:33:51 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-13008 You can either Lease or buy a new car to use the cash for clunkers program. It has to be new vehicles and not used ones. jwhenry Blogger www.cashforclunkersfacts.info http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.info You can either Lease or buy a new car to use the cash for clunkers program. It has to be new vehicles and not used ones.

jwhenry
Blogger
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.info
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.info

]]> By: ellen http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/comment-page-1/#comment-12379 ellen Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:47:53 +0000 http://agmetalminer.com/2009/06/22/cash-for-clunkers-%e2%80%93-we-say-scrap-it/#comment-12379 please take note that the clunker you want to trade in has to get less than 18mpg or it doesnt qualify. please take note that the clunker you want to trade in has to get less than 18mpg or it doesnt qualify.

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