Cash for Clunkers claims one replica Cobra

[SunDude]

Of the 659,128 vehicles that were traded in and presumably destroyed under the "cash for clunkers" program, apparently one of them was a 1988 (??) Aurora GRX.

No idea which chassis number it was.

The full list of trade-in vehicles is available from www.cars.gov.

This list includes some other strange instances. Rather than study the entire list of 660K cars, check out this article on Autoblog: www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/shed-a-tear-for-clunkers-that-deserved-better/.

[computerworks]

Mod Note...slightly tweaked the thread title to save some folks from a stroke. :-)

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by computerworks

mod note...slightly tweaked the thread title to save some folks from a stroke. :-)

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[aurora cobra]

Must be a different type of car. Aurora did not make cars in 1988.

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by aurora cobra

Must be a different type of car. Aurora did not make cars in 1988.

It could be, but sadly I don't think so. The CARS list clearly states the manufacturer as Aurora Cars Ltd. and the Oldsmobile Aurora is listed in a completely separate section. I think what probably happened is someone transcribed/miscoded "1983" as "1988," or something like that.

I can't imagine why anyone would be stupid enough to trade in an Aurora GRX for the C4C rebate, but hey...

[SunDude]

Autoblog was right: there are many strange things on that CARS trade-in list.

For instance, there were 37 vehicles from the 2008 model year including some very expensive cars and trucks -- such as F-series and Ram pickups, Explorers and Suburbans, Saabs, Mustangs and 300s -- and some real fuel sippers -- such as Accents, Elantras and Scion xDs.

Why would anyone trade in a nearly new pickup, SUV or premium car that probably is still worth 75-80% of its original cost for a C4C rebate that maxes out at $4500 ??

And what did someone trade in a fuel sipping Scion for that would qualify for a rebate? A bicycle?

[kurtmart]

Salvage titled maybe

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by kurtmart

Salvage titled maybe

I was thinking stolen with forged title, too.

After all, it's a gov't program so it's designed to be exploited.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by kurtmart

Salvage titled maybe

As I recall, "salvage" titled cars were not elligible for C4C... Maybe I'm wrong...

BTW, interesting list of Alfas, Maserati's, BMWs, Porsches, Jags, MB's, etc... used for the C4C program. And not one Ford Excursion!

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Autoblog was right: there are many strange things on that CARS trade-in list.

For instance, there were 37 vehicles from the 2008 model year including some very expensive cars and trucks -- such as F-series and Ram pickups, Explorers and Suburbans, Saabs, Mustangs and 300s -- and some real fuel sippers -- such as Accents, Elantras and Scion xDs.

Why would anyone trade in a nearly new pickup, SUV or premium car that probably is still worth 75-80% of its original cost for a C4C rebate that maxes out at $4500 ??

And what did someone trade in a fuel sipping Scion for that would qualify for a rebate? A bicycle?

I wonder if some of these "surprises" were cars that were damaged in an accident, still driveable, but worth less than the $4500 threshold.

[Mark IV]

The C4C program took a lot of F150s, Blazers and such off the highways, but also some neat cars! I don't understand why Corvettes and other cars worth $4500 for parts cars were traded.

On the official list from the Feds there is an "Aurora Cars Ltd." trade listed, guys that would be an Aurora GRX not an Oldsmobile Aurora! And Roush trucks, Aston Martin DB7 and aother rare stuff?

And as I read lthe list only THREE freekin' Saturns? I thought this would be the chance to rid the roads of THOUSANDS of those rolling progress impediments!!!

See http://jalopnik.com/5365954/ten-most...nkers/gallery/

and http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/s...served-better/

[cobra de capell]

I'd like to know the story behind turning in a car that could have been sold for a lot more or, in some cases, simply trading a car in outside of the C4C program that is worth more a low book.

There was one case in CA - buyer traded a car on the C4C program, got the $4,500 credit but the car turned up for sale on the dealer lot - the dealer makes the final decision as to whether of not to turn in paperwork to C4C - dealers are smart.

[*13*]

It was probably registered as an 88' because of the motor or even the owner claiming it was made that year. Must have been a wreck.