Uncle Sam wants your "Clunker" - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SD Blue · #31 04-03-2009, 12:04 PM

Hmmm.............Let's look at the track record of Government involvement in the private sector..............
Social Security......Likely to bankruptcy in the next 5-10 years
Medicare/Medicaid......Failing drastically as we speak, ask any senior citizen about the "real" quality of healthcare it provides
Social Welfare........Look at Native American history and local housing projects, the worst thing you can do is force dependence on the government.
Banking industry.........can you say "sub-prime mortgage mess" started many years ago by a peanut farmer.

The automobile industry next? I've met many folks from Japan and the Phillipines, here in the U.S., and never has been mentioned about how much better their transportation system is. In fact, just the opposite. I know the environmental folks tell us that the reason many folks in those countries ride bicycles is because they are concerned about the environment. Yeah, right. And even more ridiculous, "we" should be more like them.

Note, in this bill there is nothing stated about purchasing an "american-made" vehicle. In several states, I've read that diesel vehicles are excluded from the program. So who is this trying to help out? Let's see......"governmental" math, you give us $20 and we will give someone else $9 of your money, and the rest goes to "administration and regulation".

Dee8go · #32 04-03-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainmonk

if we gave each of the 40 million working americans over 55 retired them with $1,000,000/piece told them they had to buy a new car and get a mortgage . . .

I like your thinking. If this bill could go into effect right after June*, I think it definitely has merit!

* when I will be 55 . . . .

awsrock · #33 04-03-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

Note, in this bill there is nothing stated about purchasing an "american-made" vehicle. In several states, I've read that diesel vehicles are excluded from the program. So who is this trying to help out?

I find the US's view towards diesel vehicles appalling.

With stories like this coming out, I really feel like the government is trying to "force" us to be "green"

Green is the new religion for a lot of people, and once again, the main point of it is masked by a bunch of corruption, greed, selfishness and nonsense.

Unfortunately, most people could care less about anything related to cars, as long as it "goes". So, here's $5k, now get rid of that junky, CO2 belching 8 year old car and go out and buy a Prius so you can keep up with the Jonses.

I'm sure the auto companies LOVE this idea too...it's not hard to make a car last 8-10 years, so if that's all they need to accomplish, they can make them even cheaper than they already are!! Of course, we'll still pay the full price for it.

mgburg · #34 04-03-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

... This bill is indeed stupid. People can't afford new cars right now, and a lot of them couldn't afford them even before all the problems that have come to be. Wasn't debt that can't be paid the whole start to this mess? Now they are encouraging everyone to go out and get a car payment. Wow.

The Government already has the perfect model of "Get rid of the "Old." The "New" is better for you!" And it's "in play" right now!

H D T V !

Yep, you're taking your old set (3 years or older) and trading it in on a new HDTV set, or you're buying a converter box to tie you over 'til the old set craps the big transistor, or the converter box goes "Gates" on you (as in MicroSoft) and you're tired of resetting the blasted thing.

Since that program is working wonders, why not apply the same, simplistic reasoning to a new car?

Hey, and while we're at it, how 'bout a similiar program for a new home?

Yah, burn down the hovel you're in now, go get a loan, build it back up and in, say...'bout another 10 years or so...ask the wifey what color curtains would go nicely with the new couch in the new living room, then toss another match, go for a short walk and start all over again...

We'll call that one the "House-of-a-Decade" program...

Yep, stimulated Government minds are a scary thing...

Can you say "Forced Consumerism?"

coolerelmo · #35 04-03-2009, 12:47 PM

I agree, all this is to get us out buying new pieces of junk that won't even last 8 years. When I go to my Mercedes-Benz dealer it looks like the new cars are in the shop more then they are on the road!

Back when my Mercedes was built, they were thinking about building cars, not how much money they can make.

They only way I would get raid of my car would be if it was a even trade for a new car.

BodhiBenz1987 · #36 04-03-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgburg

The Government already has the perfect model of "Get rid of the "Old." The "New" is better for you!" And it's "in play" right now!

H D T V !

Yep, you're taking your old set (3 years or older) and trading it in on a new HDTV set, or you're buying a converter box to tie you over 'til the old set craps the big transistor, or the converter box goes "Gates" on you (as in MicroSoft) and you're tired of resetting the blasted thing.

I think you're talking about digital television, which isn't the same thing as HD. HD is a separate option, and buying an HDTV is a personal choice. They are plenty of low def TVs that will work just fine with the switch to digital. You can choose whether or not to order HD channels from your cable company. Most digital cable channels are NOT HD. Sorry to go way off the topic, but I wouldn't compare this to HDTVs by any means ... I bought an HDTV set because it looks 500 times better than a regular set ... no one forced me to or even suggested it. Even if we're talking about the switch to digital signal in general, there's no way near the wasted resources and irresponsible selling that there is in this "clunkers for cash" idea. I don't personally know a single person who doesn't have a digital-equipped television, young, old or in between ... whereas most of the people I know drive a car eight years or older.

coolerelmo · #37 04-03-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

They already do it in CA.

I get these letters every now than, they will give you $300.00 to take your old car. I wonder what car you could buy for $300.00?

300SD81 · #38 04-03-2009, 01:32 PM

I get reliable 27mpg highway from my SD as long as I'm not going for an all out speed run, so why trade it in for something that I can't work on and will immediately be crushed in any accident..? After working on my dad's 98 and my moms 2000, I can safely say that I never want to drive anything newer than a 95, just too much of a pain to work on..

Now, if they pass this, I probably will buy a couple parts cars, strip them, then trade them in...

Simpler=Better · #39 04-03-2009, 01:35 PM

I wonder if I can trade my old v6 hyundai (dont ask) and get a 3k credit towards a certified used Trailblazer....

muleears · #40 04-03-2009, 01:48 PM

So. Let me get this straight. I could trade in my '01 Prius (50 mpg) for a new truck that gets 23???

Oracle12345 · #41 04-03-2009, 03:04 PM

I might consider this but seeing how todays cars are not well built, wont last long. Also seeing as they update the cars they are becoming more and more dealer only cars needing special tools and computers to do something on older cars could of have been done with easliy accessible tools. A lot of newer cars are getting rid of oil and transmission dipsticks, BMW being an example of this, so the dealer and the company make the money.

While I could work on these kind of cars I just see it as a PITA to own and maintian the new cars.

awsrock · #42 04-03-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oracle12345

. A lot of newer cars are getting rid of oil and transmission dipsticks, BMW being an example of this, so the dealer and the company make the money.

Really!?

I mean, I can think of a lot of people who probably don't even know where their dipstick is, but I wouldn't want to rely on some "on board oil computer" to tell me when to change it. Sure, it might work now...but when it breaks..
Anyway, when you aren't able to perform one of the easiest maintenance items on your own car, you know it's getting bad!

SwampYankee · #43 04-03-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

They already do it in CA.

IIRC the crush them all, don't they?

BodhiBenz1987 · #44 04-03-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleears

So. Let me get this straight. I could trade in my '01 Prius (50 mpg) for a new truck that gets 23???

Come on, if you really care about the environment and the economy, you'll do it.

Oracle12345 · #45 04-03-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awsrock

Really!?

I mean, I can think of a lot of people who probably don't even know where their dipstick is, but I wouldn't want to rely on some "on board oil computer" to tell me when to change it. Sure, it might work now...but when it breaks..
Anyway, when you aren't able to perform one of the easiest maintenance items on your own car, you know it's getting bad!

the newer bmw 7 series, 2005 or 2006 or up have this. A car most people cant afford

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LUX-SEATS-NAV-SHADES-XEN-PARK-LOADED-FREE-SHIP-33-977_W0QQitemZ130296586702QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item130296586702&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308

The change oil indicator comes on after so many miles, and is reset through navigation screen under car data. A scan tool resets it.

Get use to it since more manufactures will be going to this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LUX-SEATS-NAV-SHADES-XEN-PARK-LOADED-FREE-SHIP-33-977_W0QQitemZ130296586702QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item130296586702&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308

Looks the new S600 is doing the same.