Today, Chrysler rolled out a new incentive plan that offers rebates of up to $4,500 on most new 2009 models, targeted at drivers contemplating trading in an older model under the government's "cash for clunkers" program. So, how do Chrysler's "Double Cash for Your Old Car" incentives add up? Well, basically... Deals = good. Cars = Bad. [Consumer Reports]
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Haha...with Chrysler's class-leading fuel inefficiency on nearly every vehicle they have made in the last 20 years, that really limits the vehicles you can be trading from to get that cash for clunkers money on a new Chrysler.
The few people who aren't leery of Chrysler on general principles after their run through bankruptcy and rather strange hookup with Fiat are waiting for more interesting models based on Fiat and Alfa platforms (and/or genuine Alfa Romeos!) and aren't likely to want any of the homely crap that makes up Chrysler's model lineup at the moment.
The people who own the vehicles that qualify for the rebate have them because it's all they can afford. If I couldn't afford a new car before the rebate, I still can't. My old but well maintained truck runs just fine, gets decent mileage and costs me next to nothing. I think I'll pass.
@sasha27:
" The people who own the vehicles that qualify for the rebate have them because it's all they can afford. "
What? Being a little harsh there aren't we.
I own an old clunker.
I know I can damn well afford a new vehicle. Money in the bank. Won't miss it.
Why do I own an old clunker? Because I am cheap. Dad was cheap. His father before him was cheap. Runs in the family.
My old clunker of a truck is used to haul lawn and gardening supplies from Home Depot. That is about it. Don't need no shiny new vehicle to haul manure and fertilizer once a month.
Don't say people couldn't afford a new car. Some of us choose to drive old clunkers.
@TechnoDestructo: Exactly. I read somewhere the only car that would be of any value to this program would be the base Caliber, and to get the whole $4,500 from the government, your old car would have to get 12mpg or less or something like that.
After buying a PT Cruiser, after having air conditioning problems that they promised to fix time after time after time and never did (but sure charged me a lot) I have zero faith in Chrysler. Oh, I'd love to go back and !@#$ at the dealer about the low level of service I got if the particular dealership was still around where I had the maintenance work done.
If you're trading in a gas-engined semi-tractor, you might be able to get a deal on a Viper.
@I Love New Jersey: I guess with the restructuring, Chrysler is being forced to be honest in their advertising. This whole "Cash for Clunkers" is a very accurate description of buying a Chrysler.
That Cash For Clunker's program is severely limiting and won't apply to many people. I think Chrysler will piss off more would-be customers when they explain why 99% of customers can't take advantage of the program. On the second hand having pissed off customers is better than no customers.
Of course the major down side would be that you would have to buy a Chrysler.