A few Ideal Cars for Cash for Clunkers
If you got one of these cars, then the $4500 bucks you will get in the cash for clunker program may be worth considering. You may even consider a Chrysler since you will get up to $9000 trade value for just about any Chrysler model.
2001 Lincoln Town Car
2001 Lincoln Town Car
The 2001 Lincoln Town car gets exactly 18 mpg and the best you can hope for at trade in would be (if you are lucky) up to $3000. This makes it and ideal clunker to trade in if you got one.
2001 Cadillac Seville SLS
2001 Cadillac Seville
Yes, its a Caddy and while it may have cost $40k+ back in 2001. This car is worth tops $3500 in 2009. Talk about bad investments..Anyhow, if you own one (and hopefully you bought it used for a song) then you can cash in the $4500 on this Luxury Clunker since it gets the required 18mpg.
1998 Toyota 4Runner
1998 Toyota 4 Runner
A Toyota is not supposed to be a gas guzzler right? Well, not this one. This beauty gets a whopping 17mpg combined mileage which qualifies you for the Clunker program. Besides, the best you can hope for in trade in value is about $2000.
Don’t Qualify for “Cash for Clunkers”? No problem!
You want to trade in that clunker sitting out in the drive way but after reading the program requirements you learn that your clunker misses it by by 1 MPG? What to do now?
If that’s your predicament, then perhaps Chrysler-Fiat has the answer for you. The car maker annouced this week that they will offer up to $4500 or 0% financing for any customer wanting a new Chrysler. Even better, if you have a clunker and want a Chrysler, they will still give you the 4500 bucks on top of the government voucher. You heard it right, up to $9000 off your next Chrysler/Dodge purchase! Certainly not a bad deal if one of their vehicles appeals to you. Where are those darned Fiats and Alfas? or how about a Challenger?
Hyundai Doing lots of things right lately
Top choice for cash for clunkers
Hyundai, the innovator of the buyer protection program in this downturn has pulled another nice little incentive out of its bag. Hyundai has become the first car maker to start honoring the “cash for clunkers” vouchers. Even though the program rules have just been released, Hyundai has been honoring the voucher (officially called CARS or Car Allowance Rebate System) since July 2nd, almost a full month ahead of others.
So far, the early favorite is the Elantra which can be had for as little as $8600, followed by the Sonata and the Accent. According to the car maker, 86% of the trade ins have been trucks, SUVs or Vans, the intended target of the program. Hyundai also reports that the average trade in or clunker is averaging 16 mpg while the newly purchased car is averaging 25mpg. In addition to the government voucher, Hyundai is also offering their buyer protection program (Hyundai Assurance) and their $1.49 gas guarantee (Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock program).
Despite the bad economy and all the bankruptcy news, Hyundai is doing pretty nifty innovating to boost their sales as well as offer great deals to potential consumers.