I was able to get my new car with the Cash For Clunkers program today.

[bbernardini]

Some people asked me to report in on this. My wife and I went to a dealer on Wednesday and arranged to purchase a new Chrysler Town & Country minivan through the CFC program (we were exchanging a Kia Sedona, if you care about such things). Our salesman was off yesterday, so we were to go in today to finalize the deal. After the news hit last night about the financial problems of the CFC program, we were very concerned the deal might not work out. We went back today and had no problems. This was in the morning, before they announced the new infusion of funds this afternoon.

By the way, if you're in the Philadelphia area and you're looking for a new car, I'd highly recommend Videon in Newtown Square. They couldn't have been nicer or more helpful, and my son really liked the toys in their waiting area. He didn't want to leave when we were done on Wednesday. :)

[lamp_shade]

1. What kind of mileage will you get on the new minivan?

[livetohike]

2. Congratulations!

:hi:

[bigwillq]

3. YAY!

Congrats! :toast:

[boppers]

4. Better mileage? Smaller vehicle?

Do you think your purchase was effectively furthering the intent of the program?

[bbernardini]

14. Better mileage, same size vehicle.

We need the room for the family and the moving of equipment (for gigs).

[RayOfHope]

21. Then the MPG on your KIA must have stunk. We have a Town and Country

2005--and it gets maybe 15 mpg in town and 20 on the highway if we're lucky. What's the mpg of the new ones?

[Honeycombe8]

5. Schwing! I'd do the same, except my car doesn't quite qualify for the deal.

I'm about 2 mpg too high to qualify (altho my car is over 12 years old!).

Too bad, 'cause I'd like to buy a car soon before I have to rack up big repair bills.

[marybourg]

6. A Kia Sedona is worth less than $4500 already? a Chrysler

Minivan gets 4 mi/gal more than a Sedona? I'm amazed on both points. I lived in Sedona AZ between 2001 & 2004. Kia promised a Sedona to the mayor of the town when they debuted, and it was while I lived there, so I know they can't be very old. I don't believe Kia ever came thru on the car for the mayor, but I could be wrong.

[frazzled]

7. Your new clunker gets poorer mileage than your old clunker

http://www.automotive.com/2009/99/chrysler/town-country/lx-passenger-minivan/1069/index.html


Value Rating: Average
Fuel Economy: 17 MPG city / 24 MPG highway

I'm sorry, but that was not, in my opinion, a terribly wise thing to do. You might as well have kept the old Kia Sedona, since it took a lot of energy to produce your new gas guzzler. I'm really surprised and disappointed if this is what people are doing with the program.

[Kdillard]

8. I am surprised by that I thought the new car had to get better mileage than the old car

in order to qualify.

[Divine Discontent]

13. it has to, they're providing disinformation. you have to get a signifcantly better MPG

basically 15% or better fuel economy is what it comes out to be from what I can tell. My car, if I'm able to trade it in next week (praying) and replace it will result in a net 40% fuel economy increase! (94 crown victoria smog machine in exchange for a subcompact)

[Andy823]

10. Depends on the year

I had a 2002 Kia Sedona I was lucky to get 17 MPG out of it which is about what they say here: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm

I have a 2006 dodge Grand Caravan that gets an average of 22 when I fill it up and up to 27 on longer trips. Sounds like a better deal to me!

[Kdillard]

12. Good info. That's what I figured.

[Divine Discontent]

11. it can't get worse mileage. it wouldn't qualify.

they sound like they got the smaller 3500 credit, and not the 4500 for getting a vehicle that gets 10mpg more than their old car. Ones that get smalle increases than 10mpg (of at least 4 I believe), get the 3500. Please don't disparage the plan by distorting facts. No, I don't think their purchase was the best they could have done, but it certainly is what THEY needed apparently, and since they met the guidelines, don't blame them for only getting a vehicle roughly the same size, but with 10-15% better mileage than the 40% better mileage I HOPE I'll get if I can exchange a huge car tomorrow or later next week for a tiny subcompact.

[bbernardini]

15. Exactly, it's what we needed.

Would I like to have a smaller car with better mileage? Yes, I'd love to, but we need the bigger car, and can't afford anything the same size with better mileage.

[Divine Discontent]

16. best to you! Enjoy, I'm very happy for you. I hope to announce me getting fortunate later this wk.

[Kdillard]

17. I just wanted to add congratulations :)

[RollWithIt]

20. Well, that is the thing, neither was really a "clunker"

They were both perfectly good vehicles. The question is whether his new car will last. Lets say we're seven years down the road and he's had minimal problems. Blah, it's Chrysler, he's fucked.

That's the sad thing. Should of kept the warranty on the Kia.

And that is the main problem with Chrysler. Shitty support.

[quiller4]

25. EPA sticker on 2009/2010 Town & Country 22/30. I looked at one

last night.

[grantcart]

9. second DUer who was able to get a new car

congratulations

[JVS]

18. Congratulations. Maybe we can race our new cars mid-state someday!

[RollWithIt]

19. What year was your Sedona?

I'm just wondering.

[4lbs]

22. My father told me he was looking at replacing his 1991 Hyundai Excel 4-door with a new car.

He said he didn't qualify. Even 18+ years old, the Hyundai still gets 24+ mpg city. Back when he first got it, the car was getting around 29 mpg city.

[DRoseDARs]

23. Good to hear. Revising what I posted in response last night, still call your congresscritters...

...and thank them for this program. Let them know their constituents feel their interests ARE being served.

[Hutzpa]

24. If you don't mind

whats your monthly payment on the minivan and how much mileage can you get on the
van? basically where you able to get the right deal?

[MercutioATC]

26. Congrats!

I'm glad everything worked out :)