Clunker Program Failures!!!!

[pfarmer]

BUT: Who's tax money was used to pay the American carmakers and save them. We want the money back, hence the 'say' in what's going on with this program.

He has a small point and that is we are helping take money out of the country. Of course our point is why we are doing so, because what the big three has been selling is not what we want to buy. I don't want to buy a giant truck made by GM or Toyota. Ford to me is starting to look more and more like a leader in getting this message.

Perry

[Supamon]

The band aid will not help in the long run since it is a band aid without addressing the real issue.

The best way is to let the companies die and be reinvented by American companies, not foreign ownership.

Perry

the real issue is that domestically ......we where not making good/practical cars.

Its not like they gave the US automakers i direct hand out. It encouraged them to make better.... more fuel efficient cars.....

in other words become more competitive....

while saving gas.... did anyone see the numbers on how much gas they expect to save.....

while becoming less dependent on countries that don't like us very much (I lol everytime i hear that)

while generating funds.... let face it this is America and a car is a lot cheaper then a house....

I really dont see what the problem is.... is a car that isnt been driven causing less polution then one that was shredded and recycled....

really whats the problem?

[370Z/28]

Don't understand the need to pour liquid sodium in the engine. Why not just drain the oil and the coolant and let it lock itself up? Maybe even a good ole cup of sugar??? Recycle the fluids including the refridgerant.

[pfarmer]

the real issue is that domestically ......we where not making good/practical cars.

Its not like they gave the US automakers i direct hand out. It encouraged them to make better.... more fuel efficient cars.....

Of course that is the issue and that is the fix. But it goes beyond producing cars, it also means you need better controls of what fuels it. A typical refinery runs with less than 1% of spinning reserve. This would be unheard of in any other industry. Furthermore in other industries you don't kill your spinning reserve to manipulate prices. When prices are low the American public could care less about MPG, they will purchase the biggest Terex clone on the road. Prices are high they will purchase an Isetta. The manufacturers did not simply die due to their cars however, they died largely due to their investments.

Perry

[pfarmer]

Don't understand the need to pour liquid sodium in the engine. Why not just drain the oil and the coolant and let it lock itself up? Maybe even a good ole cup of sugar??? Recycle the fluids including the refridgerant.

It makes nearly everything on the engine so it can not be used.

If you really wanted to make a dent on the energy problem a simple change in how we transport goods would be a great place to start - back to the future.

We could take a lesson from hypermilers and do what a few countries have done with variable speed limit signs based on traffic density. Hypermilers will drive at the average speed to avoid stop and go driving which drives gas use up and creates traffic jams. The electronic speed limit signs could be set up to show this average speed.

Clunkers would remove themselves from the road without outside help.

Perry

[370Z/28]

If you really wanted to make a dent on the energy problem a simple change in how we transport goods would be a great place to start - back to the future.

Perry

I used to work for an automotive warehouse here. We would buy truckloads of AC Delco filters from Flint, MI, then I would turn around and sell them to jobbers in Michigan cheaper than they could buy them. It is a crazy distribution system we have in America. Of course "cheap" is our major goal.

Perry...I enjoy your posts. You really know your stuff!