[V8] Cash for Clunkers

[Tony and Lillie]

Well, before anyone rushes out to trade off their V8Q for $4500, let me add 
this.

First of all, I saw this coming when I heard of the rules for the "Cash for 
Clunkers" program. The V8Q is rated at 14mpg city, 18 mpg highway, at least 
for the 1990 and 1991 Monroneys I have. That said, I've never seen less than 
16 mpg city (me driving, foot to the floor, redline every shift), and 23mpg 
highway when the car was running properly. My wife got 19 city, 24-26 
highway routinely.

However, there is the dilema of an older car with a lot of little things 
going wrong and some parts starting to creep up as NLA, at least new. A 
newer car certainly seems a smart move in certain lights, and a new car just 
seems great.

But, consider this for a minute, that Chrysler you talked about. I've worked 
on a 2002 Sebring recently, about 40K on it IIRC. the rear side panels have 
certain flat spots molded for screws but none there. The transmission went 
out before 30K, the LR window regulator just broke and both of the sunvisor 
clips are broken, as well as the driver side sunvisor itself. Chrysler's are 
known for having transmission problems on teh front drive vehicles. I've 
replaced over 20 of them. Ford's and GM's generally fair better, but watch 
the quality on them as well. As stated, your car was $50K+ when new, even a 
$40K car today won't compare. And, newer cars have a lot of engine 
components made of plastic, so check these things out as well. You will be 
surprised when you have water necks, etc, breaking as low as 40K. I'd say if 
you drop about $7-9k off most new car's prices (domestic, that is) that's 
about the ballpark of where they should be priced to start with. for 
instance, compare a $15k Camry/Accord/A6/530/6s to a new $25k domestic, and 
you have similar cars in my opinion. Now, if you intend on keeping yourself 
in a newer car from now on, that somewhat eliminates that arguement, as the 
repairs over 100,000 miles don't really come into play.

However, to keep on older car like the V8, you either have to be willing to 
do the work yourself, or find a known good mechanic who doesn't charge an 
arm and a leg for repairs. And, be ready for minor things to go wrong at any 
time.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you are looking for in 
transportation, because that's all it really is. For me, a 25 year old 4000Q 
works just fine ;-)

Tony

BTW, just out of curiosity, what are the race cars?

----- Original Message ----- 
Subject: Re: [V8] Cash for Clunkers


> All true - But, in fact the V8 is on the list of approved cars it's
> official EPA ratings is 17 combined (18 is the cutoff) - and the tipping 
> point
> for me is that Chrysler will double the credit- ergo- 7000- 9000 dollars 
> off
> sticker.
> Running an old car like the V8 to me is not about the milage issue to
> rationalize replacement, but because I like it.
> That said, the car is not getting any younger and the litany of things 
> that
> likely will need fixing in the future always grows (like the electrics)
> unlike a  new car that likely won't need too much for the first 100K. 
> Lately I
> really need  the time for my kids and the race cars, not fixing my daily
> transport.
> Pondering hard in rainy Ma.
> Jack
>