Big Vehicles Still Outselling Small Ones

Ken Scharabok · #1 07/22/09, 07:32 AM

http://tennessean.com/article/200907...m+gas+guzzlers

This is oriented towards middle TN, but I suspect it is happening elsewhere.

Message to Obama: You are going to have to pry my cold fingers off of my gas guzzler.

Note the comment the Cash for Clunkers Program isn't likely to have much of an impact. I still maintain most dealers aren't going to give the buyer much benefit. Say they would have offered you $12K for your trade-in, and it qualifies for a $3K C4C rebate. They will then offer you $9K saying the government will make up the difference to full trade-in value.

7thswan · #2 07/22/09, 07:53 AM

Here where I live, Trucks are everywhere. What's going to happen to people hauling RV's. Big vehicles protect the occupants. I could go on all day, I just want Obama to go away.

Cornhusker · #3 07/22/09, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7thswan

Here where I live, Trucks are everywhere. What's going to happen to people hauling RV's. Big vehicles protect the occupants. I could go on all day, I just want Obama to go away.

Me too.
We need the bigger vehicles to pull trailers, haul hay, get down our crappy roads in bad weather.
Obama doesn't much care about most of the country though.

Jo · #4 07/22/09, 08:09 AM

I'm keeping my Tahoe....could turn into a collectors item.
I think it's terrible they are going to crush cars and trucks, we will have a shortage of used vehicles.

silverbackMP · #5 07/22/09, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo

I'm keeping my Tahoe....could turn into a collectors item.
I think it's terrible they are going to crush cars and trucks, we will have a shortage of used vehicles.

I think that's the idea--force the nation to buy new vehicles to help out the automakers.

FL.Boy · #6 07/22/09, 08:21 AM

Like i been saying all along most people don't want small cars and the big 3 did not get in this shape by make cars people didn't want the union is milking them dry. I don't understand why so many people buy in to these rebates there BS they just monkey with numbers and you don't get anything same with trade ins.

Michael Kawalek · #7 07/22/09, 08:30 AM

Short-term memory loss! Does anyone remember the 4$ price of gas back in the summer of 2008? Even though the price of gas crashed along with everything else in the economy, the price of gas has risen 55% since last November! I predict that gas will reach 3$ a gallon by 2010, and maybe back to 4$ again by 2011. Think you'll still be driving that big SUV in 2011?

Sure, I myself own a huge F-350 for the homestead, but I don't use it as a daily commuter and I won't start it up just drive down the road to pick up a loaf of bread! Daily driving is in a little stick-shift that get 35+ mpg. As long as Americans keep their wasteful, indulgent ways, our country will always be economically shaky and beholding to the Arabs.
Michael

HermitJohn · #8 07/22/09, 08:31 AM

Some people actually need big vehicles to haul cargo and or people. But suspect most just cant think beyond next Tuesday so if gas prices are down when they buy, then they arent going to take economy into consideration. For example I hear the new generation of Camero is selling well, a more impractical car is hard to imagine. On other had if gas was sky high when they buy then they will buy smallest car they can find even if it really doesnt meet their long term needs. I mean absolute crazy people running out to buy a new $30k Prius or whatever when their old car got 20 to 25mpg and had lot potential miles left in it. You would never save enough gas to make up the difference. Majority of humans tend to only be able to think in the immediate short term.

geo in mi · #9 07/22/09, 08:33 AM

Unless the GM reorganization has affected the pricing policy(and I doubt that), the dealer has about 15% to 17% of the MSRP and the dealer prep charge to work with on a new car. The C for C voucher is YOUR money for YOUR car, but applied to the down payment on the new one, Thus, it should be a straight pass-thru trade in allowance. But, as always, buyer beware. I would make the best deal first on the new one( somewhere in the 15% to 17% discount range), then offer the clunker on trade. Not before---don't let the salesperson figure the C for C value into the deal first......

I find it ironic that, in a down conomy, people would still be willing to go in hock for "bigger, faster, fancier", as the article implies. Heck, I just wish I could squeeze 30 MPG out of my little four cylinder '98 Sonoma.......

I think Bush AND Obama are both right. Our economy is fueled by 'Shop til You Drop' theory, and we have yet to learn any lesson....................

arabian knight · #10 07/22/09, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

Some people actually need big vehicles to haul cargo and or people. But suspect most just cant think beyond next Tuesday so if gas prices are down when they buy, then they arent going to take economy into consideration. For example I hear the new generation of Camero is selling well, a more impractical car is hard to imagine. On other had if gas was sky high when they buy then they will buy smallest car they can find even if it really doesn't meet their long term needs. I mean absolute crazy people running out to buy a new $30k Prius or whatever when their old car got 20 to 25mpg and had lot potential miles left in it. You would never save enough gas to make up the difference. Majority of humans tend to only be able to think in the immediate short term.

Well I guess some have not read the "fine print" This so called trade a clunk in for cash is ONLY IF that Vehicle gets LESS then 18 mpg. ONLY Nothing above that will qualify to get a new car under this program THEN the amount you get, is based on how High Priced the "Green Vehicle" is will depend upon the amount receive under the program.
And you just can't go out and get a clunker either, You MUST have owned that vehicle at least ONE YEAR.
There have been some folks just going out and buying junk cars and bring them in to get into the program WRONG...

FL.Boy · #11 07/22/09, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arabian knight

Well I guess some have not read the "fine print" This so called trade a clunk in for cash is ONLY IF that Vehicle gets LESS then 18 mpg. ONLY Nothing above that will qualify to get a new car under this program HEN the amount is based on how High Priced the "Green Vehicle" is will depend upon the amount receive under the program.
And you just can't go out and get a clunker either, You MUST have owned that vehicle at least ONE YEAR.
There have been some folks just going out and buying junk cars and bring them in to get into the program WRONG...

Wow it has to get less then 18 mpg well that leaves out a lot of pickups and suvs. What do they want dump trucks.

Ken Scharabok · #12 07/22/09, 08:44 AM

'There have been some folks just going out and buying junk cars and bring them in to get into the program WRONG..."

It will if they don't plan to buy a new vehicle for a year and the vehicle qualifies for C4C.

arabian knight · #13 07/22/09, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL.Boy

Wow it has to get less then 18 mpg well that leaves out a lot of pickups and suvs. What do they want dump trucks.

Yes that is what a car dealer said on our news cast the other night. 18 MPG and lower Period.~! Nothing over will qualify. Cause I even THOUGHT about this myself with my car. BUT I get 30 MPG on my '94 Buick Century, heck fire.
So NOPE I could not get in at all, or even with my '89 GMC Pickup as I get over 20 MPG even with THAT.

Ken Scharabok · #14 07/22/09, 08:48 AM

"Wow it has to get less then 18 mpg well that leaves out a lot of pickups and suvs. What do they want dump trucks."

What is it they use for the mpg criteria? What was on the original vehicle window?

Saw a TV report on electric vehicles. Guy bought on which promised 60 miles to a charge. He said he was lucky to get 45 and has been left stranded on the road several times. Its not like someone can bring by a one-gallon can of fuel. Vehicle has to be towed.

For those who bought a new vehicle, how did your actual usage compare to what the window sticker said?

Gary in ohio · #15 07/22/09, 09:13 AM

Keep in mind that EPA rating, not actually, FEW if any SUV, Trucks or 4x4 get better than 18mpg epa rating. Every 2 year old vehicles are only 19/20mpg.

As for why little vehicles are not selling, because we dont want them.Until I see a high MPG small car that is comfortable and doesnt look like an ugly duckling I am sticking with my SUV/trucks. We have a smart car deal near the office, Took a drive in one of those. Scaries ride I ever had. Drove by one day and the salesman tried to sell me one, I said no my kid already has a gocart and its bigger than the smart car. Plus the crash test for the smart car is scary. Saw it BOUNCE off a midside car at slow speed, hate to see what it does off a SUV at high speed.

cfabe · #16 07/22/09, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

For example I hear the new generation of Camero is selling well, a more impractical car is hard to imagine.

The V6 camaro gets 29mpg highway. That doesn't seem impractical to me. Even the V8 model gets 25. Hardly a gas guzzling muscle car in my opinion. Sure it's not a family sedan that will seat 5 comfortably but for someone who doesn't haul many people around and wants a fun car I think it's a perfectly practical choice.

Ken Scharabok · #17 07/22/09, 10:56 AM

Administration also needs to keep in mind the size/weight of many Americans. Packing them into a sardine can isn't easy. I'd like to see two adults, two teenagers and a weeks worth of groceries in a Mini.

halfpint · #18 07/22/09, 11:13 AM

We have a diesel VW Jetta which gets great mileage, but there are many roads in this area we cannot drive it in, as it would get stuck in the ruts/holes. Our 89 GMC pickup and Ford Diesel van both get a little better than the 18 mpg.

Dawn

beaglady · #19 07/22/09, 11:25 AM

If the traded cars are going to be crushed, I don't see a dealer giving any trade in allowance, other that the gov't rebate. If the dealer can't re-sell the trade in, it has no value to them.

Wolf mom · #20 07/22/09, 11:32 AM

Don't forget all those people who can only afford $2000/3000.00 for a car/truck. This rebate surely hurts/ignores them.

Oh, but we'll give them gov't health care. Doesn't matter if they can't get to their appointment. Sorry, thats a snide I couldn't resist. Me bad, but it surely points up the lack of depth in much thinking going on today. It seems like there's an agenda & let the chips fall where they may.

Many are students trying to get an education, many are poor. Not everyone lives with mass transportation. I had a heck of a time placing people while working as a job counsellor when busses weren't running.

After being in an accident where my car was totalled, ain't no way I'm getting in a small car!