SPIN METER: $3 billion buys not-so-green vehicles

AP via Yahoo ^ | August 13, 2009 | BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE

[Islander7]

WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the nation's top car salesman in recent weeks, has cited the Obama administration's best-seller list of mostly smaller, fuel-saving cars like the Ford Focus to describe the success of the Cash for Clunkers rebate program.

[Islander7]

Both are bulky vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds when loaded that boast at least 248 horsepower.

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Some not-s-green SUVs (Gasp!) are included in the clunker program.

[BigBobber]

I knew something was up after seeing a Ford TV ad for F-150 full-size pick-ups with extended cab in the clunker program.

[Syncro]

This is what post number 1 is referencing in the article:

But what LaHood and other administration officials usually don't mention is that some trucks and sport-utility vehicles that get less than 20 miles per gallon, like the Ford F-150 truck and one version of the Cadillac SRX Crossover, also are being purchased with the new government subsidies. Both are bulky vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds when loaded that boast at least 248 horsepower.

[The mileage for these vehicles is under 20]

Plus it is important to note that the program which kicks $4,500 from taxpayers to the buyer costs more than that to administer each transaction.

So each costs us over $9,000

This is as much a boon to the government bureaucracy and is working for the them just fine. More government jobs.

It's getting vehicles with many good miles on them destroyed and off the market so that most used cars that would sell for under $4500 are off the market so people looking for a good used car for 2-3,000 bucks are gonna walk or take public transportation.

Al Gore's plan to eliminate all internal combustion engine vehicles is being implemented.

[kellynla]

and four out five are FOREIGN MADE VEHICLES...BRILLIANT!
so much for "stimulating America's economy & American JOBS"... nothing like using Americans' hard-earned tax dollars to prop up foreigners, foreign manufacturers & foreign countries.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

If you’re doing the cash for clunkers thing, it makes total sense to buy the highest gas mileage vehicle which will still earn you the best discount.

That way, in a few years, when there’s ANOTHER cash for clunkers type program, the car you buy now will be eligible for the maximum dollar amount.

If you just go from an 8 MPG car to an 80 MPG car, then you’re done. But if you go from 18 MPG to 21 MPG, you can milk this thing the rest of your life.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

To coin an old phrase....Do as I say, not as I do!.....

[UnwashedPeasant]

About $1 BILLION of the $3 Billion is for overhead. New SEIU employees, etc.