Chrysler says it will match government's $4,500 'cash for clunkers' trade-in incentive

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-chrysler-incentives,0,5027231.story

By Associated Press
9:48 AM CDT, July 22, 2009

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday it is offering $4,500 in cash toward the purchase of a new vehicle as it seeks to match a government incentive for people to trade in their old gas guzzlers.

The automaker said it will offer cash or zero percent financing for six years on most of its 2009 Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep models. The incentive begins Thursday and lasts through Aug. 31.

Chrysler said in a statement that buyers are eligible for the new incentive even if they are not trading in a vehicle under the government's "cash for clunkers" legislation.

That program's final rules will be announced Friday. It offers tax credits to car shoppers who trade in their old, fuel-inefficient vehicles for a cleaner new vehicle.

[snooper2]

1. God Damn it...

:mad:

They couldn't announce this say- last Thursday

[NNN0LHI]

3. Shit!

I feel your pain.

Don

[warren pease]

8. Yeah, I know...

Personally, had I known this was in the works, I'd have held off on that 2009 GlutcoWerks SuperSecs V-16 AutoErotix All-Terrain Aggressivo 4-MPG Combo SUV/Armored Troop Carrier with optional mini-cannon or machine gun turret.


Shit.


sf

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. I'm thinking the same thing.

[WI_DEM]

2. Good thinking, Chrystler.

[hobbit709]

4. My brother just said he's never buying another Chrysler again

After it took him an hour and a half to change the battery inside the wheel well of all places.
He's an engineer so he knows about pisspoor design.

[trotsky]

12. Just changing the air filter on our old 2000 Town & Country required certification.

That said, it was an extremely reliable vehicle and a pleasure to drive.

[Skidmore]

14. We have a 2002 T&C which just turned 39K on the odometer.

Use it for long trips and local hauling. It is a 6 cylinder too.

[Dappleganger]

36. We have a 2001 T&C Ltd.

Had to replace the transmission at 93,000 miles, but otherwise it's an extremely comfortable ride. It's got 128,000 miles on it now.

[Robb]

5. Holy cow.

From the article:

Car shoppers get a voucher worth $3,500 if they trade in a vehicle getting 18 mpg or less for one getting at least 22 mpg. The voucher grows to $4,500 if the new car's mileage is 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle.

Owners of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks or minivans getting 18 mpg or less could receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or SUV got at least 2 mpg higher than their old vehicle. The voucher would increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or SUV was at least 5 mpg higher than the older vehicle.

That means some consumers could, in theory, get up to $9,000 off a new Chrysler vehicle if they trade in and buy the right combination of vehicles. According to the auto Web site Edmunds.com, 16 Chrysler vehicles are fuel efficient enough to qualify a shopper for a tax rebate under cash for clunkers, so long as the trade-in vehicle qualifies as well.

[bikesein]

9. I have not looked at all the specifics

but presumably the $4,500 or in this case $9,000 total includes whatever the trade-in vehicle is still worth. So if the trade in is worth $2,000 and you are getting a $9,000 discount, your discount is really $7,000. On many new, expensive, vehicles a $7,000 discount may not be abnormal from the sticker price.

I assume there is some period of time that you need to have owned the clunker otherwise there is an incentive to buy a $500 car just to trade it in.

[Robb]

11. Yeah. They said they'd announce the specifics by Friday

I know with the federal deal, you need to have owned said clunker for at least one year.

The smart move would be to go negotiate the deal on the vehicle you want, then announce your intention to take advantage of the other. :shrug:

[snooper2]

15. no, the trade in worth is meaningless...

the rules are here...pretty simple actually...The bill's been signed so it's a done deal...

www.cars.gov

[NNN0LHI]

19. I am a Ford retiree and it has me considering visiting my local Chrysler dealer for a look around

They will sell it to me for the same price their employees pay to get me to make the jump which is nice too. All I have to do is show them my Ford employee ID and they will give me their version of our A/Z-Plan which is a hair below the dealers cost. With no bargaining.

I may go car shopping soon?

I have a clunker that qualifies too.

Don

[Infinite Hope]

6. What is considered a "clunker?" n/t

[snooper2]

16. www.cars.gov

www.cars.gov

[Wilms]

7. So if you have been driving a fuel efficient "clunker", there's nothing here for you?

The money is only for people who have been driving guzzlers?

Bad behavior, once again, rewarded.

[SoCalDem]

10. Yep.. our 1991 Accord EX with 189,994 miles still gets 26 mpg

so even though we would consider trading it in, why bother? It gets better mileage than some new ones, and it runs like it's new..even though it's showing its age:cry:

[trotsky]

13. Well, everyone does benefit even if indirectly.

Less gas consumed means lower demand and eventually lower prices for all of us. Plus less wear & tear on roads, etc.

[mopinko]

18. no, bad behavior

stopped. for the good of the planet.

[ceile]

20. Apparently not.

My 95 Cavalier gets about 25mpg, but has other issues that would classify it as a "clunker" in my mind. The upkeep on it is becoming quite expensive. Mostly electrical work.

[PVnRT]

24. You get more gains upgrading low-MPG vehicles to mid-MPG vehicles

Less gas consumed, less demand, prices go down, so do emissions. Hardly rewarding bad behavior. Sorry, though, it doesn't directly benefit you.

[flvegan]

17. I'm going to trade my H2 in on a Viper to take advantage of the deal.

Look at me being responsible.

[snooper2]

25. New car can't be more than $45,000

:)

[Horse with no Name]

21. Well lets see

$4500 from Federal government
$4500 from Chrysler
$3500 from Texas funds

That is potentially $12,500 in dollars for a new car. I might get my daughter to look into this.

[snooper2]

28. What's the $3500 from Texas funds?

My buddy at work has a '97 Jeep that is a true clunker :) --It's at 16MPG so he can get a new Jeep Compass that lists for 18,000 and walk off the lot with a note for $9,000 in theory...

I just bought a Dakota Quad cab last week with the 4.7L V8 ( baby coming no more S-10 ) I may have done something different had I known about this :sad:

[Horse with no Name]

30. Texas has $3500 cash for clunkers funds available too

:)

[cbdo2007]

22. yeah...but then you have to drive a Chrysler

[Horse with no Name]

27. I love my Jeep.

Wouldn't be hard to do.:shrug:

[quiller4]

32. I love my 2000 Chrysler Voyager. 127,000 miles and going

strong, never a breakdown and only routine maintenance. It has always been and still is a joy to own and drive

[LeftyMom]

26. One problem with that- I wouldn't take one of their cars for free.

Unreliable peices of shit.

[Fumesucker]

29. Uh oh..

:popcorn:

:)

[Robb]

31. Eh. I'd get a Jeep. nt

[quiller4]

33. That hasn't been my experience n/t

[LeftyMom]

35. You're in the minority then.

I have Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide right in front of me (I'm car shopping at the moment,) and they say that the ten lowest ratings for owner satisfaction are all GM or Chrysler vehicles. Chrysler products under their various nameplates are also quite prevalent on their year and model specific "used cars to avoid" list, which lists vehicles with below-average reliability ratings.

[NNN0LHI]

34. I have only owned one before. Just like this one. Same color and all. Great car

1973 Dodge Challenger 440 Magnum:

[Stevenmarc]

37. OK they just need to close their doors the stench of desperation is pretty pungent