The #1 selling car in the 'Cash for Clunkers' program is.......
POSTED BY: whozit
UPDATED: Friday, August 28, 2009 00:13
VIEWED: 8024
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I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Toyota-Corolla-still-Cash-for-apt-276833
7430.html?x=0&.v=3
The whole point of the program was to payback Barrys boys (and girls) in the UAW......I think I'm turning Japanese 
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Quote:
The whole point of the program was to payback Barrys boys (and girls) in the UAW.
Hmmm... and here I thought it was trying to stimulate the economy by getting people buying things...
And last week, they were saying the Ford Focus was #1 in sales. Wonder what happened.
Mike
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Actually, there were several 'ideas' behind the program.
1) To get folks into more fuel efficient vehicles. Seems like this move supports that.
2) To stimulate the world economy. Seems like this move supports that.
3) To stimulate the US economy. Let's see, Corolla sales in the US generate jobs for at Toyota dealerships (generally, US citizens work there). Generates jobs at US factories (yes, Corolla plants in the US, generally US citizen work there). Ok, the net profits go overseas, and any parts supplied from overseas doesn't help, but buying a chevy built by GM over in china and imported to the US probably doesn't help the economy much more. I'll put this as a Seems like this move supports that.
Now, I've seen a lot written about 'why' the program was put in place, but 'Payback Barry's boys in the UAW'... I don't recall seeing that... except perhaps on a few conspiracy boards and whine sites. So... just maybe the program is working as intended.
Now... do I necessarily think this is the best way to spend 2 billion dollars? Naw. Is the worst, given some of the other giveaways we've had to the financial sectors, etc? Naw.
Personally, I didn't participate because the only car I have that qualifies is my 1995 Mustang. I generally get 20 mpg (the 'official' combined mileage is 18, but my driving is highway biased) which I only put about 5k miles per year. And the car looks -good-. And has no problems. I just can't see sending it to the crusher even though I might get more than for trade in by about $1800... so I'll likely keep it two more years.
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Quote:In that case, how about a "Cash for Coats" program. Or "Cash for Shoes", or "Cash for Cellphones, or "Cash for Furnature", or "Cash for Lawnmowers", or "Cash for TV's", or "Cash for DVD Players", or "Cash for Rist Watches". Why does Barry just want to sell cars?
Originally posted by Kwicko:Quote:
The whole point of the program was to payback Barrys boys (and girls) in the UAW.
Hmmm... and here I thought it was trying to stimulate the economy by getting people buying things...
And last week, they were saying the Ford Focus was #1 in sales. Wonder what happened.
Mike
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Quote:WHEN DOES IT START?????
Originally posted by whozit:
"Cash for DVD Players",
The laughing Chrisisall
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It's a moronic idea: taking functional cars and crushing them. Great. The carbon footprint in making a car exceeds its fuel consumption, but that's moot: converting an SUV to high mpg is not that hard.
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Hello,
I'd like to say I'm not a fan at all of these government bailout and stimulus programs. Not at all.
However, this Cash for Clunkers thing has had, at least to my eyes, the most visible, immediate, and positive impact of all the government stimulus programs. Just because I don't like the stimulus philosophy doesn't mean I can't recognize an idea that actually seems to be working. I know they funded it insufficiently, terminated it too soon, and have a website made of fail. Check, check, check. But you know what? I'll be damned if it isn't the best of their programs I've seen since before Bush left the presidency.
I gotta hand this one to the big bosses in D.C. The program has very little to criticize in terms of investment vs. returns. It's got to be working about a thousand percent better than all the other bullshit they've tried.
--Anthony
"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner
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Quote:
Originally posted by AnthonyT:
However, this Cash for Clunkers thing has had, at least to my eyes, the most visible, immediate, and positive impact of all the government stimulus programs. Just because I don't like the stimulus philosophy doesn't mean I can't recognize an idea that actually seems to be working.
Working to do what exactly? Pump up an economy based on people going into debt to buy things they don't need? Even if that does "spur" the economy, I have a hard time seeing it as a positive. Kinda like giving drug addict a fix for a quick pick-me-up. You know, on their road to recovery... uhh.
SergeantX
"It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah"
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Hey Sarge,
I'm not hailing this thing as a good idea. Merely the best of their ideas so far. Which ain't exactly a ringing endorsement. But if I'm going to criticize the bailouts and stimulus plans, I'm NOT going to start with this one. This one is actually achieving its social engineering and immediate economic stimulus goals. It also has the benefit of allowing the consumer to impact the process. The consumer still decides which car to buy, or at least which car company to buy from. So it avoids disproportionate impact to some degree, while rewarding corporations for providing products that are in line with the current social program of the nation. It also rewards customers for making fuel economy choices that the government social engineering agencies have deemed to be appropriate.
Again, a philosophy I don't agree with, but I can still appreciate that it's being pursued as effectively as possible in this case.
--Anthony
"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner
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Quote:
Originally posted by whozit:Quote:In that case, how about a "Cash for Coats" program. Or "Cash for Shoes", or "Cash for Cellphones, or "Cash for Furnature", or "Cash for Lawnmowers", or "Cash for TV's", or "Cash for DVD Players", or "Cash for Rist Watches". Why does Barry just want to sell cars?
Originally posted by Kwicko:Quote:
The whole point of the program was to payback Barrys boys (and girls) in the UAW.
Hmmm... and here I thought it was trying to stimulate the economy by getting people buying things...
And last week, they were saying the Ford Focus was #1 in sales. Wonder what happened.
Mike
Don't most states have "tax-free holidays" nowadays? I know Texas does. That one weekend per year (THIS weekend, which is why I'm not out in the crowds right now) when they waive the sales tax on may items? The idea behind it is to stimulate buying of things, I believe.
The funny thing is, it's been so successful that they're thinking of scaling it back. The funnier thing is, its success is based ENTIRELY on the idea that you're "putting one over on The Man" by buying something without paying the sales tax. Can you imagine how low the turnout would be if I were to have an "8.25 Off Sale!"? That's all the tax holiday is. That's how much you're "saving".
And it works, every single time.
Mike
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