Posts Tagged ‘cash for clunkers gov’

Consumer Warning – Beware of What You Are Signing!!

Sunday, July 26th, 2009
Buyer beware of what you are signing!

BUYER BEWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING!

All consumer participants in the Cash for Clunkers program need to be aware of what they are signing.  A specific example is do not sign a “Waiver of Liability” that if the NHTSA rejects the trade transaction, the dealership is not responsible for returning your vehicle in pre-trade-in condition.  In the Cash for Clunkers transaction the dealership is responsible for rendering your trade-in’s engine inoperable or having your vehicle crushed.  If the dealership does this before the NHTSA approves your transaction and for some reason the transaction is not approved your collateral (your vehicle) is now destroyed.  Make sure that if the NHTSA rejects the transaction or your loan is rejected that you will get your car back in pre-trade-in condition or the dealer gives you cash equal to the value of your trade-in.

Another issue to be aware of is to insure the dealership is using the proper data to evaluate the MPG rating for your trade-in.  There is only one official table that is to be used for figuring MPG ratings and that is at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm.  Do not allow the dealership to use anything else.  This is the only table that the NHTSA will use!

Also see my hubpage at http://hubpages.com/t/ab49b.

Cash for Clunkers: Eligible New Cars by Make and Model

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

New 2010 Camaro - Nice Ride!

New 2010 Camaro - Nice Ride!

Cash for Clunkers: Eligible New Cars by Make and Model

By Staff, Cars.com
Thinking of trading in your “clunker” for some cash? Below is the list of new vehicles eligible for the program based on their combined gas mileage and price. Of course, how much cash you’ll get for buying one depends on the combined gas mileage your trade-in clunker gets, but anybody with a clunker can get at least $3,500 toward a car on this list.

Eligible Cars Alphabetically by Make and Model

Specific trims aren’t listed; some versions of models on this list may not be eligible for the program based on lower gas mileage or higher price, but every model listed here has at least one version that qualifies. Check with your dealer on eligibility rules.


Make/Model Combined Gas Mileage
Acura TSX 25
Audi A3 24
Audi A4 25
Audi TT 26
BMW 128 22
BMW 328 22
Chevrolet Aveo 30
Chevrolet Aveo5 30
Chevrolet Camaro 22
Chevrolet Cobalt 30
Chevrolet Equinox 26
Chevrolet HHR 26
Chevrolet Impala 23
Chevrolet Malibu 26
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 29
Chrysler PT Cruiser 23
Chrysler Sebring 24
Dodge Avenger 24
Dodge Caliber 27
Ford Escape 24
Ford Escape Hybrid 32
Ford Focus 28
Ford Fusion 25
Ford Fusion Hybrid 39
Ford Ranger 23
Ford Transit Connect 23
GMC Terrain 26
Honda Accord 25
Honda Civic 29
Honda Civic Hybrid 42
Honda CR-V 23
Honda Element 22
Honda Fit 31
Honda Insight 41
Hyundai Accent 29
Hyundai Elantra 28
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 24
Hyundai Sonata 25
Hyundai Tucson 22
Jeep Compass 25
Jeep Patriot 25
Kia Forte 30
Kia Optima 25
Kia Rio 30
Kia Rondo 22
Kia Soul 28
Kia Spectra 27
Kia Sportage 22
Lexus ES 350 22
Lexus IS 250 24
Lexus RX 450h 30
Mazda3 28
Mazda5 24
Mazda6 24
Mazda B2300 23
Mazda MX-5 Miata 24
Mazda Tribute 24
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 32
Mercury Mariner 23
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 32
Mercury Milan 25
Mercury Milan Hybrid 39
Mini Clubman 32
Mini Cooper 32
Mitsubishi Eclipse 23
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 22
Mitsubishi Galant 23
Mitsubishi Lancer 25
Mitsubishi Outlander 22
Nissan Altima 26
Nissan Altima Hybrid 34
Nissan Cube 29
Nissan Maxima 22
Nissan Rogue 24
Nissan Sentra 28
Nissan Versa 29
Pontiac G3 30
Pontiac G5 29
Pontiac G6 26
Pontiac Solstice 23
Pontiac Vibe 28
Saturn Astra 27
Saturn Aura 26
Saturn Aura Hybrid 29
Saturn Sky 23
Saturn Vue 22
Saturn Vue Hybrid 28
Scion tC 24
Scion xB 24
Scion xD 29
Smart ForTwo 36
Subaru Forester 22
Subaru Impreza 22
Subaru Legacy 22
Subaru Outback 22
Suzuki Grand Vitara 22
Suzuki SX4 25
Toyota Avalon 23
Toyota Camry 26
Toyota Camry Hybrid 34
Toyota Corolla 30
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 26
Toyota Matrix 28
Toyota Prius 50
Toyota RAV4 24
Toyota Tacoma 22
Toyota Venza 22
Toyota Yaris 32
Volkswagen CC 25
Volkswagen Eos 25
Volkswagen GTI 25
Volkswagen Jetta 34
Volkswagen New Beetle 23
Volkswagen Passat 23
Volkswagen Rabbit 24
Volvo C30 23
Volvo S40 23
Volvo S60 23
Volvo V50 24

Buyer Beware – You Must Be Prepared!

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Be An Educated Buyer!!

It is being reported that we are seeing new car advertisements that are very vague on the detailed breakdown of the incentives subtracted from the new car price that is being advertising.  Advertisements  just state that the new car is$15,000 with all applicable incentives and government voucher.  Do not fall for this.   The dealership has no idea what someone is trading in and the car brought in under the Cash for Clunkers program may qualify for $3,500 or maybe $4,500 if it was an old SUV with a big V8.  Negotiate the sell price of the new car first then subtract what is applicable for incentives and vouchers.  First negotiate the price of the car without incentives.  This way when you go from dealer to dealer to compare prices, and I strongly recommend you shop around, you will be talking apples to apples.  No tricks, no cloaking the price and confusing the buyer.  The potential voucher should have no impact on the base price in which the dealer is willing to sell the car to you for.  There is no reason when you initially discuss a price on a new car that you need to disclose to the sales person that you are going to participate in the Cash for Clunkers program.  Negotiate the price then talk voucher. You, the buyer, must maintain control of this process.