The Bite:
Want the inside scoop on the new federal car trade-in program? That's our job - keep reading to see if you're eligible for up to $4,500 off a new, more fuel-efficient car. The funds are going fast, so let's get down to biz...
CASH FOR CLUNKERS
Tricks of the Trade
08.10.2009
Submitted by tmeronek on Sun, 08/09/2009 - 11:00pm.
The Benefits:
- Showing off your eco-skillz. The Feds expect Americans'll swap out about 250,000 old gas guzzlers under the program, reducing CO2 emissions by about 700,000 tons per year.
- A tricked-out new ride. The program's geared toward getting older cars off the road…so you can take this opp to trade in that Yugo for a newer, slicker ride (a new third-gen Prius, perhaps?).
- Making good personal business sense. In addition to the rebates, the average person stands to save $700 in fuel costs each year (not to mention all the maintenance costs associated with old cars).
Personally Speaking:
Most of us in the SF office bike, walk, or take public transport to work, so sadly, we probably won't be taking advantage of what Biter Book Club author Van Jones has dubbed the "hoopties for hybrids" program. But if you already have or plan to, tell us what you traded in, and the new car you're getting in the comments.
Wanna Try:
- If your car gets less than 18 MPG (according to its EPA combined city/highway rating) and is under 25 years old, you're probably eligible for the discount. If your new car gets at least 4 MPG more than your old one, you get $3,500 off; if it gets at least 10 MPG more than your old one, it's $4,500.
- CARS.gov - more info, plus the latest updates from the Feds.
- Let Ford Recycle Your Ride - easy-does-it calculator to help you find out whether your current vehicle's eligible for the rebates.
Cocktail Fact
The original $1 billion appropriated for the Cash for Clunkers program ran out in just 4 days (lucky for you, Congress just approved $2 billion more).
Bang For The Bite
If 10,000 Biters switch out their current gas guzzler for a new, more efficient car, we'll avert the CO2 caused by 1,500 Americans (through housing, transport, the products we buy...) in a year.
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Ms. Roberts: I believe you have misread the DOT's privacy policy. First of all, privacy policies always apply to information collected on the site, not to "everything on your computer." Accessing a website NEVER gives anyone permission to hack into your personal files. Moreover, the DOT's privacy policy specifically states that they will NOT share any of your personal information, except "as needed to speed your request or transaction."
Our 15-year-old Honda doesn't qualify for this program because it gets 32 miles to the gallon. My dad's 25-year-old Geo is too old to qualify, plus it gets more than double the required 18 mpg. Plus he has no interest in trading it in as long as it's still running, cash or no cash. There are hardly any new cars out there that could beat it for mileage, even by a mere 4 mpg.
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