Anyone else own a 'clunker' which supposedly gets "19 mpg" by EPA and does not qualify?

[Blackhatjack]

This hard and fast rule of 18 mpg by EPA as the cut off is arbitrary since there are numerous cars rated over 18 mpg by the EPA, but which never got over 18 mpg during their operating lives.

It would have been fairer and more helpful if there had been a 'phase out' of the $4500/3500 payment as you go past 18 mpg by the EPA.

A car 18 yrs old today which does not get 18 mpg today should have been included in the program.

Of course, we can keep on driving them I guess....

[peacebird]

1. my 16 yo jeep cherokee, and believe me - it does NOT get 19 mpg now

I was mightily annoyed when I looked it up.

[MercutioATC]

2. They had to draw the line somewhere...and they needed to use a set number.

EPA estimates are convenient, because they're on every car and they've been around for a long time.

[bobbolink]

3. This program is popular.... if it goes well, maybe if you organize with others, it can be extended

to cover more.

Start agitating....

[DesertFlower]

4. my husband's toyota tundra gets 14, but

they say it gets 14.5. it's worth about $4,500. i asked him the other day if he wanted to get rid of it and get a toyota scion. he was receptive, but he really loves the truck and it's basically a 3rd car. we both drive sports cars and just use the tundra when we're going shopping or need more room. and of course, it's paid for.

[alstephenson]

5. Very arbitrary.

I'm in the market for a new car (with or without the program). If in 2001 I had bought a 6-cylinder clunker instead of the more economical 4-cylinder clunker I purchased I would be eligible for the credit. So people who bought gas guzzlers are being rewarded while those that bought more fuel-efficient vehicles are punished.

It seems that the program needs some tweaking...

[fishwax]

6. I'm in about that boat

My car is a '95 and is rated 25 combined by the EPA, though in reality I think these days it's quite a bit lower--not 18, but certainly closer to that than to 25.