Cash for clunkers: top 10 trades

[tomato]

According to the SF Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=45066

Americans are unloading their gas-guzzling SUVs and vans under the Cash for Clunkers program, and are buying foreign sedans, the data suggests. The top trade-in's under the program, which requires that discarded vehicles get 18 mpg or less, are as follows: (in order)

Ford Explorer 4WD
Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
Jeep Cherokee 4WD
Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
Ford Explorer 2WD
Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
Ford Windstar FWD Van
Although Cash for Clunkers has a rather lenient fuel-efficiency requirement for new purchases, largely to sure to include American vehicles, participants appear to purchasing some of the most efficient vehicles out there, 6 of 10 of which are foreign-made:

Toyota Corolla
Ford Focus FWD
Honda Civic
Toyota Prius
Toyota Camry
Hyundai Elantra
Ford Escape FWD
Dodge Caliber
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Cobalt


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=45066#ixzz0NTFlEsS8




No Yaris.

[90tsi]

those people must not have a clue. lol

[tuckevalastin]

The number of Ford Explorers traded in was amazing. On Monday the list of top trade ins was:

1. 1998 Ford Explorer (14-17 mpg)
2. 1997 Ford Explorer (14-18 mpg)
3. 1996 Ford Explorer (14-18 mpg)
4. 1999 Ford Explorer (14-18 mpg)
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
6. Jeep Cherokee
7. 1995 Ford Explorer (15-18 mpg)
8. 1994 Ford Explorer (15-18 mpg)
9. 1997 Ford Windstar (18 mpg)
10. 1999 Dodge Caravan (16-18 mpg)

I think the Explorer trade-ins explain the Escape being on the list as alot of those previous Explorer owners could get the new Escape which is basically a new car equivalent to the Explorer they already had for a discounted price.

The Focus, Cobalt, and Caliber are likely on the list because of Domestic fans. This program was really geared towards cars made by the Imports so these people were kinda left in the dark. The Focus, Cobalt, and Caliber are all aged and soon to be replaced models but if you are a domestic fan and wanted to take advantage of the program you probably considered them (I would have considered a Cobalt myself had I been in the situation)

The 6 imports remaining are all vehicles I'd expect to see in such a program. They aren't very exciting at all and don't perform great but they are cheap, pretty fuel efficient, don't require much maintainance and are great upgrades for people who just need a car and don't care much about them. For these people they basically got to upgrade the car they had for $4500 less than they usually would...

[SilverBack]

Don't see the Yaris on the list, but those are still better than the guzzlers :thumbsup:

Now if I can just get my dad to finally part with his '91 Cherokee Laredo

[thebarber]

of those "foreign" cars, how many are actually MADE in the US?

shiz, the cash for clunkers is a great deal. if i were drivin' a beater, id trade 'er in for a focus. those old explorers are even THAT big....so its almost like you're not going down in size...

[PreciousPups4U]

Rats, they only gave me $1500 for my 1997 4WD Ford Explorer last year.:frown:

Oh well I still love my Yaris.:thumbup:

[tomato]

[QUOTE=thebarber;364794]of those "foreign" cars, how many are actually MADE in the US?

QUOTE]

I don't know. Some, I'm sure.

Personally I don't have a problem with people wanting to buy foreign cars. Some are made in North America, others are not, but the money is spent here, and it helps the economy, overall. Works for me. :iono:

I wish I had gotten some money for my 22 y old car, too, but I didn't, oh well, better luck next time, I guess ! :iono:

[Kal-El]

Toyota Corolla
Ford Focus FWD
Honda Civic
Toyota Prius
Toyota Camry
Hyundai Elantra
Ford Escape FWD
Dodge Caliber
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Cobalt


No Yaris.

Yet the Yaris is outselling the Fit but it just so happens that the Fit is being bought up more with a clunker trade.

Total overall sales is what matters.

[Sandwash]

QUOTE=PreciousPups4U;364841]Rats, they only gave me $1500 for my 1997 4WD Ford Explorer last year.:frown:

Oh well I still love my Yaris.:thumbup:[/QUOTE]

Don't worry about that...do you think those getting $3,500 to 4,500 for clunker trade-in got any reduction below MSRP as you probably did - I think not. Such a gimick, but the program will apparently result in increase overall mileage of 'national fleet' which is a primary intent in addition to econ stimulus factor.