Americans love to get a good deal.
So, its no surprise that the idea of free money for a decrepit gas guzzler has a lot of folks revving up their engines.
The last time I saw this kind of frenzy I was on the trading floor of the old Lets Make a Deal television show.
I didnt get a deal way back then and Im not getting one now. Even the government doesnt want to give me cash for our clunker. For me, its like getting bucked off the TV shows consolation prize camel behind Door No. 3.
I just dont get it, I whined to my husband Bill. Here we are with a 40-year old truck that has never gotten better than 8 miles per gallon, and we cant qualify for this program?
Bill looked up from the fact sheet, Its too old and its not licensed. Besides, it doesnt run anymore.
I felt deflated.
In the beginning, the CARS Act seemed like a fabulous deal. We could get up to $4,500 off the sticker price on a new vehicle and the car dealer could smash our rusted eyesore to bits. The neighbors would even drive in to help.
But as always, we never get a good deal especially when it comes to cars.
One perfect example is the time we traded in our dilapidated Chevy for a brand new car. Wed heard how our friends always thrashed the dealership with their bargaining tenacity, and we intended to do the same.
The salesman offered us $500 for our clunker.
We stood firm. Theyd need to make a different offer.
The sales rep returned. Theyd give us $200.
Huh?
OK and we wont take a penny more.
Since then, weve owned several vehicles and our bargaining power has remained the same. Buy high. Sell low. Its how we drive a deal.
But I refuse to get discouraged over this latest event with the government. If we cant get it to take our clunker, maybe you will.
For Sale Cheap: One shabby 1969 3/4-ton Ford pickup on its last legs. As part of the bargain, well even throw in a hornets nest in the manifold and black widows hiding in the upholstery.
Come on America, you know you love a great deal!
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Dear Dave,
My husband and I have been married for three months, and we're debt-free. Right now, we're trying to save up a 20 percent down payment for a house. I work for a real estate company, and it's really pushing us to take advantage of a first-time homebuyer deal. The program offers 100 percent financing, no money down and no private mortgage insurance. They say it's a great deal. What do you think?
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Between the debt-ceiling kerfuffle and Hurricane Irene, you may have missed two bits of summertime news that will be important for what we drive in the coming years.
First, President Barack Obama announced that the administration and automakers had reached a deal to double the fuel economy of our national fleet of cars starting in model year 2017 and reaching the goal by 2025. Right now, cars and light trucks — light trucks include what I call my “little old lady SUV” — get an average of 27 mpg. By 2025 those same vehicles are to average an impressive 54.5 mpg.
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