I believe that you and others on this thread look at the program from the position of person who is capable of diagnosing and repairing an older vehicle.

This is the fundamental point that is missed by those that decry the program. If you own a vehicle that gets 18 mpg, but can maintain it at relatively low expense (read: do your own labor), there is an economic disincentive to get a trade-in value of only $4500. and assume a car payment on a new vehicle.

However, if you are like the vast majority of the population and understand that all a vehicle requires is for you to turn the key to "start", the program makes very good sense if you happen to own one of these older vehicles. You certainly need to seriously consider selling or trading this old vehicle anyway..........and, nobody is going to give you anywhere near $4,500. for it. So, if the government gives $4500. and the dealer gives $4500, you're $9000. closer to a brand new vehicle that gets significantly better fuel economy. If you decide to do the deal, which makes very good economic sense for you, you get a vehicle without the need for any repairs for the next five years at a cost of approximately $300. per month.

The folks who cannot see the benefits of this program are simply blind to the fact that most of the people in this country are incapable of repairing an older vehicle at a reasonable cost.