Edmunds Answers questions

Are all cars covered by the CAFE standards or just trucks?

bigdog100 — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:21:03 GMT

Why is it that a HUMMER can have such poor gas mileage? It must be exempt or something?

Gas Guzzler Tax

andres3 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:20:23 GMT

Does the gas guzzler tax only apply to new vehicle sales, or does the 2nd, 3rd, 4th owner get hit with it too? I know in CA the sales tax is continually charged for the same product over and over when it's sold (at least for cars).

How long do I have to put a car title in my name? What can happen if I haven't registered my car yet?

pixxie33 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:08:02 GMT

Had for about a year, want to sell, not registered

"Clunker Bill" that passed in House this week - who knows more about this?

mr5x5 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:41:23 GMT

The US House of Representatives passed a "Clunker Bill" this week and Senate is working on one. Result would be a "voucher" program giving owners of cars above a certain age (I think 8 or 9 years?) that get low gas mileage (again, I think, 18 MPG) credit (House Bill is $3500!) for trading it on a high gas mileage newer car.

If anybody knows more about the specifics please post - I hope Edmunds can keep us up-to-speed on this, I have a car that would qualify and am holding-off buying until I know the specifics of the plan that will be adopted!

Cash for Clunkers. How stringent is the "cutoff" point (18 MPG) for cars?

lumina90 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:38:44 GMT

I would really like to take advantage of this (if this measure passes) - but I think my car is ineligible.

Looking up the latest (2008 EPA revised) MPG for my car (1990 Chevy Lumina 4dr 3.1L) shows that my car has a "theoretical" MPG=20 (combined).

However, I know that the "actual" is less than MPG=18 (the cutoff).

Is there anything in the legislation that takes this into account ? (that older vehicles very likely have even worse mileage than they were originally rated for)

Thanks !

Cash for Clunkers> Can I get the gov't credit if I trade in a truck that is in my business name.

giancola — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:45:40 GMT

Cash for clunkers program. If I have a vehicle registered in my business name can I trade it in for the credit on a new car?

In Cash for Clunkers, does the car have to be registered and smogged when turned in?

jahjah — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:00:10 GMT

I have a 91 Lexus LS400, which appears to be considered a Clunker. The registration with smog is due in July before the Cash for Clunkers program begins. I would like to avoid registering and smogging my Clunker if possible. Or at least just pay the registration but not do the smog. My plan is to buy a new car in August or September. Thank you.

I have a "Cash for Clunkers" conundrum.

mattharrell1 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:55:43 GMT

My truck is in my father's name, but I have had true "ownership" of the truck for 7 years. I know with the cash for clunkers law states the car has to be titled and insured in the same name as the buyer. Could my father and I get the loan together, purchase the car with the "rebate", and then transfer ownership solely to me? Another thing, if we could get the loan together, my father is unemployed, however I have great credit and a well paying job, is there a foreseen problem there?

Thanks

How can I go about getting my car on the exception list for the "Cash for Clunkers" program?

dlcamp58 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:52:58 GMT

I have a relatively rare 1992 model car for which used parts are difficult to find and new replacement parts are prohibitively expensive. If they start crushing the perfectly good ones, used parts will become even more scarce and expensive. Are there guidelines for which cars are "exempt" from the program? Whom would I contact about this? I don't want to see perfectly good cars going to the crusher when we need the parts!

Can I trade a Category 1 SUV (Dodge Durango - 13mpg) for a Ford F-150 (16mpg)? If so, is the voucher $3,500 or $4,500?

troybataille — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:08:00 GMT

It is unclear if I can trade a Cat 1 vehicle to purchase a Cat 2. When I utilize the Ford website, the only options shown to me are sedans and passenger vehicles. MPG would still go up at least 3mpgs.

Can I trade in my 30 year old class 2 Ford van for the Cash for Clunker program? The bill is very clear on category 3.

lharts — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:05:51 GMT

Cash for Clunker trucks and vans class one, two and three. Can I trade in my 30 year old Ford class two van? The bill is very specific on class one and three but not on class two.

Will storage insurance qualify as Insurance for Cash for Clunkers?

crashnukem — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:02:57 GMT

I have an old vehicle that has been continuously registered for years but I have bounced back and forth between storage insurance and regular insurance to save a buck in times when my second car is not needed. Will storage insurance qualify as Insurance for Cash for clunkers?

In Edmunds Cash for Clunkers Car FAQ "...am I obligated to buy the same type of vehicle?" 25mpg for $4,500 is wrong, should be 23mpg.

bbkabelitz — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:12:11 GMT

In Cash for Clunkers example of turning in '90 Camero for Cat. 1 SUV, the $4,500 requires 5mpg increase, Camero gets 18, so 23mpg. I believe you added the 5 for $4,500 to the 2 for $3,500 to come up with 25mpg.

How do dealerships know which cars qualify for Cash for Clunkers?

wyler0 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:38:18 GMT

The webinar resources I have seen all direct dealerships to http://www.edmunds.com/cash-for-clunkers... for which cars qualify under cash for clunkers. Unfortunately this list does not contain any cars from 1984-1989 which should qualify for the program. I'm worried that my 1987 Toyota Cressida which has 18mpg and does qualify will not be accepted by dealerships because it is not on the list of "approved" cars. Will there be a new "official" list made so dealerships know which cars qualify?

Are businesses eligible to participate in Cash for Clunkers?

vpoc — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:04:25 GMT

Are businesses eligible to participate in Cash for Clunkers?

Cash for Clunkers. Is the scrappage value negotiable?

thndersnow2 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:10:10 GMT

The exact wording of the bill is of the following:

(4) require dealers to disclose to the person trading in an
eligible trade-in vehicle the best estimate of the scrappage value of such vehicle and to permit the dealer to retain $50 of any amounts paid to the dealer for scrappage of the automobile as payment for any administrative costs to the dealer associated with participation in the Program;

(11) the term `scrappage value' means the amount received by the dealer for a vehicle upon transferring title of such vehicle to the person responsible for ensuring the dismantling and destroying of the vehicle;

Would it be correct to say, then, that the scrappage value in excess of $50 is negotiable? We have tried to negotiate for this but the dealer refuses to give any of it. Anyone else have any luck?

Vehicle listed on Cash for Clunkers but can't drive it far.

december67 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:52:42 GMT

My 96 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2 6 cylinder, smokes,which I am not able to drive for long distance, after a while it has a small flame. Rear window is busted. Will I be able to participate in the stimulus plan if I have my vehicle towed in to the dealer? Thank you for your help.

Cash for Clunkers. What if my car is running when I take it to the car dealership, but now it won't start?

jent1 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:38:19 GMT

On the Cash for Clunkers website it says that the car needs to be in running condition, well I took it to the dealership to get it appraised/looked at for the program, and when I tried to start it after it wouldn't actually start, everything works but it sounds like the starter may have gone out. So it WAS in running condition when I brought it in. Wouldn't it be crazy to fix it if it's just going to be junked anyway? And would it still qualify for the program?

Help with 88 Ford Bronco, owned 3 years, uninsured and unregistered for last 6 months specifically for Cash for Clunkers.

tool1970 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:46:08 GMT

You can't believe this. Around 6 months ago I parked and uninsured my 1988 Ford Bronco to wait to trade it for the Cash for Clunkers program. Now it seems being responsible has screwed me over. The truck gets less than 10 mpg, this is the other reason. Do you think there is anything I can do to get credit for this? I understand why the government would want to make sure that you can't buy a junk car/truck, but I have owned this and driven it for 2 1/2 years, and specifically parked it to wait for this program. Is there anybody I can talk to? The cars.gov people don't return my call.

PLEASE HELP!

Auto in one name, insurance in another name, can we get the Cash for Clunker rebate?

michaels8 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:45:46 GMT

My brother, who no longer lives in the US, has a clunker that is parked in my parent's driveway. My father has been continually insuring the car in his own name, not my brother's. Can my father trade the car in for the cash for clunker rebate for an auto he will buy in his name, if the car he is trading in is in his son's name?

Have a 99 van owned for 10 years, but title was in my husband's name. He died and I just put the title in my name on 3/09.

cal7 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:31:06 GMT

How can I qualify for cash for clunkers. Must own at least 1 year. I'm wondering who to talk to for info.

Do I qualify for a rebate if my clunker was too old for a trade-in and I still own it?

jeepster2009 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:27:56 GMT

What if I purchased a new car in April but my '94 clunker was too old for a trade-in, consequently I still own it. My mpg has improved, do I qualify for a rebate if I did not purchase the car with the rebate in mind?

I have a 97 Jeep Wrangler and I am trying to get it approved for Cash for Clunkers. Did anyone get theirs approved?

dave249 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:13:29 GMT

Cash for clunkers does not list 97 Wranglers. They list 98 and others. Did anyone get their 97 or 96 Wrangler approved or other that is not listed on the gov site. Yes I have already emailed the gov website and did not receive a reply.

Can the manufacture date of a vehicle be determined from the vin as the label on the door of my van is no longer there.

babunde — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:35:05 GMT

Can the date of manufacture of a van be determined from the VIN? I checked for the label suggested on the fed site but the label is no longer on the door or the frame? How would I find out the manufacture date? Needed for the Cash for Clunkers program as it is not the year of the van but when manufactured and that could be a problem for me.

How do we find out who collects the clunkers and crushes them? Is there a list of registered companies?

minnie51 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:57:54 GMT

How do we find out who collects the clunkers and gets rid of them by crushing or baling them? Is there a list of registered companies so that we can find one within our state?

I bought a car on 7/14/09, not knowing about the Cash for Clunkers program. I have a clunker. Can I do something to get it now?

gregleahben — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:05:30 GMT

I have a 1996 Dodge Caravan. When I bought a new Toyota Corolla on 7/14 I did not know about the clunker program.

The dealer never brought it up.

Is there anything I can do now to get that rebate? Is the law on my side or not?

On the Cash for Clunkers government web site my car was at 18 mpg combined on the 25th of July but now it's 19 mpg on the 27th of July.

kwdersch — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:35:46 GMT

I sell cars for Russ Darrow. I checked my car a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis and it was at 18 the day the gov. started this program. Now July 27 they have changed it to 19 which now does not let me get the $4500 clunker deal. I feel it's now right to say one thing and then say another.

Have owned a registered and insured clunker for 3 years. Was 3 weeks late registering this year. Does it still qualify for Cash for Clunkers?

codaxxx — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Cash for Clunkers program registration requirements.

Car registered for 10 months in my name. Qualify for Cash for Clunkers?

sbirkenkamp — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:50:05 GMT

I have had my car registered and insured since 9/18/08 in my name. It was previously registered and insured in a friend's name. Does it qualify? Do we have to wait until 9/18/09? We would like to get something asap.

Thanks.

My car no longer qualifies for the government Cash for Clunkers voucher but the deal was done prior to the July 24th kick off date. What is my risk?

trevecca23 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:09:48 GMT

I had a 97 Chrysler Concorde 3.5L V6 that originally got 18 miles/gallon on the EPA website now after the changes it gets 19/gallon and no longer qualifies for the voucher. I signed all the paperwork for the deal on the 13th of July and now the dealer wants to either split the 3,500 I was given or have me pay the whole amount. What is my risk if I don't pay anything more?

I went to the DMV and they gave me a printout of my registration. Is that enough to satify the Cash for Clunkers registration requirement?

srtaylor1204 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:40:18 GMT

California DMV shows how long I have owned the car, but doesn't seem to be an exact registration document.

Cash for Clunkers program qualifying registration for a year requirement?

dayytryyper — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:56:38 GMT

My 1997 Blazer 4wd has been titled and registered with insurance for 8 years but I found that this year I renewed my registration late by 4 months I missed February thru May before I noticed that it had expired. It had continuous insurance coverage and luckily I wasn't stopped for expired tags. Now I have renewed (not a new one)the original registration but the renewel date is June not January so it shows a gap from February 09 to June 09. Is this a disqualifying issue or not? I have spoken to 3 people at the US.GOV. hotline and received 3 different answers and 2 dealers I have tried to buy a vehicle from can't answer my question. Help!!

If a car is registered as non-operational, does that disqualify it on the Cash for Clunkers registration requirement?

srtaylor1204 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:24:38 GMT

My car is registered non-operational for over a year in California

Cash for Clunkers: No title. Can I turn in the form saying I paid off the lien instead?

jent1 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:53:03 GMT

I recently bought a car using the cash for clunkers thing and I had owed money on the car I was trading in, so I paid off the amount I owed to the credit agency and they gave me a form indicating that there was no longer a lien on the car and we all signed and notarized it. I saw somewhere on the website "what to bring the the dealership" that you could actually turn this document in rather than waiting for the DMV to send you the title. So I did this, I showed them the documentation and where on the website it said it was ok and the deal went through. However, now the dealership is emailing me saying that the government changed their mind and will only accept the title - is this true? Or was what I did still legit? And if it is not why would they have that on the cars.gov website then? What should I do?

MN grace period for Cash for Clunkers? Owned 13 years, bought tabs during 10 day grace period.

comotrekker — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:07:42 GMT

In MN there is a 10-day grace period you have to get your tabs on your car. My husband usually waits and buys both of ours the first week of July since his are due in June and mine are due in July. We are the only owners of his 1996 5.0L V8 Explorer, but my local Subaru dealership says that he is disqualified (over the phone - no paperwork) because he purchased the tabs after the end of June (insurance has never lapsed). We are now looking to find out if Toyota would put him in a Prius - has anyone else in MN had to deal with this? (We love our mechanic & local gas station, but would like to see their smiling faces a little less often!)

Does the Cash for Clunkers law require the dealership to return any funds above $50 for the salvage value?

mike398 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:38:52 GMT

Under the law are dealers required to pay you for the salvage value of your vehicle?

2003 - 2004 models on the Cash for Clunkers list?

myk384 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:53:28 GMT

Why are there 2003-2004 vehicles on the list? I know only 2002 - below but not younger than 25 years are allowed.

Why is Edmunds participating in the sociaistic Cash for Clunkers program?

wer311 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:20:15 GMT

Everyone with two grains of sense knows cash for clunkers is an effort to destroy American heritage and has NOTHING to do with anything but advancing the current administrations socialistic regime!

I am extremely disappointed to discover Edmunds is so heavily involved!

Are there going to be any new regulations for the new Cash for Clunkers?

gawolfman85 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:16:13 GMT

Since the government has add 2 billion dollars to the program there has to be new regs to help those who didnt quailify before.

Anyone has experience on how long does it takes for the approval process from the government on the CARs Cash for Clunkers rebate?

mit4car — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:20:41 GMT

My dealer sent in the paperwork on July 30, 2009, still been review by the government on the status of my rebate. Does anyone gone through the process yet and how long did it take to get an approval from the government.

Does Edmunds have a list of dealerships participating in C.A.R.S. Cash for Clunkers?

gypsy46 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:09:07 GMT

Hoping to be able to take advantage of the "Cash for Clunkers" incentive but the list on their website showed most participating dealerships are in CA. I'm in CO.

Are government entities eligible for the CARS Cash for Clunkers program?

wjbslick — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:12:44 GMT

Are government entities eligible for the CARS program?

6 months ago, I transferred title for my daughter's car into her name. Is she eligible for Cash for Clunkers?

ikenewton — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:40:20 GMT

She's had the car since high school and we transferred title into her name when she married last November.

My wife and are joint owners of 2 cars which qualify as clunkers under Cash for Clunkers. Can we trade cars in both for 2 new cars?

larry132 — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:35:54 GMT

We already traded in one jointly owned clunker for a new car. Can we trade in our second jointly owned car for another new car?

What is the current remaining Cash for Clunkers balance, and where is this posted ?

rayjay5_0 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:47:44 GMT

Cash for clunkers details.

Did Cash for Clunker, have car, now they want it back! How should we handle this?

jack616 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:55:55 GMT

Situation: Friday Nissan approved vehicle for cash for clunker deal. With deal dealer took over lease for a honda civic, and papers were signed. They want to buy out lease to sell vehicle on lot - buyout is 8300k, and they plan to sell for about 15K. They took over "clunker truck" - after they called and said it was approved on 21st (all dated on Friday, the 21st). Took possession of new altima on Saturday the 22nd. Dealer called Sunday on 22nd, said they realized the "clunker" was titled to husband's business, and said that it did not qualify. Said car had to be brought back Monday AM. Car was for daughter, who is suppose to go back to college today. Car (civic) was her car. Said that if we want car for her we have to pay $4200. for a now 36 or 39 month lease vs. the no money down (from the clunker deal) 5 year lease. Do we have any leg to stand on? Please help and give your opinions and or thoughts. We are going soon to dealer in next few hours. Thank you.

Has the Cash for Clunkers program been extended? Thanks. Nick .

navnitmn — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:44:57 GMT

Cash for Clunkers extended?

Bought new car as part of the Cash for Clunkers program and have NOT received the $4500 rebate. Please help!

mforchielli — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:24:42 GMT

Hello.

We purchased a 2010 Kia Forte from Quirk Kia in Braintree, MA on Monday September 1, 2009 and traded in a 1998 Jeep Cherokee as part of the Cash for Clunkers program.

The dealership told us that we could not take possession of the car until they received the $4500 rebate from the Government. However, the dealership said we could take immediate possession of the car if we fronted the $4500, which we did.

The P&S shows the $4500 trade-in allowance so we believed that either the Goverment or the dealership would be obligated to return this money to us.

The dealership claims to have submitted all the necessary paperwork prior to the deadline. Unfortunately, the dealership now says that they have not received any indication from the Goverment acknowledging receipt of our online paperwork. The dealership said that the paperwork may not have made it through the system b/c the Government's online system continually crashed during the last few days of the program. In fact, the GM of the dealership told us that they have not received any follow-up or acknowledgement of receipt on more than 20 applications submitted to the Government during the last few days of the program.

As a result, the dealership now says that we are on the hook for the $4500 rebate.

We are very concerned that the dealership committed fraud or broke the law by requiring us to front the $4500 in order to take possession of the car and that the paperwork submitted online may not have reached the Government because the system continually crashed during the last few days of the program.

Thank you

What are they doing with all of those clunkers? Cash for Clunkers.

jtarnold — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:47:52 GMT

Wondering what is happening to all of the clunkers in the Cash for Clunkers program.

Will the Cash for Clunkers program ever restart?

patrick51 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:50:35 GMT

Will there ever be another "wave" for the Cash for Clunkers program? Is it in the works?