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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg "This definitely is increasing business," according to Samsone Toyota general manager John Grillo. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31804730/ns/local_news-new_york_ny/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Polluting_Car.jpgBrian Thompson - MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com) - July 13, 2009

If the rebate was done based on %age consumption reduction, I would probably be in a new hybrid right now --Ed.

Ben Ritter owns an '88 Pontiac Firebird that he can't wait to get rid of.

"I fill this thing once a week and don't feel like I go anywhere," he said.

And thanks to a new federal 'Cash for Clunker' law, the 26-year-old from East Brunswick, New Jersey will soon be dumping the V-8 gas hog for a brand new Toyota Prius. That means switching up from trips of about 14 miles to the gallon to about 50 mpg.

"I'm trading in power for practicality," says Ritter.

And that is the whole point of the new 'Cash for Clunker' program that will provide federal vouchers of up to $4,500 for people to trade in their vehicles for new ones that get better mileage.

Similar European programs are expected to result in 400,000 to 500,000 more new vehicle sales this year than previous years. Those who support the U.S. law believe there could be 1 million sales at a time Chrysler is in bankruptcy court and General Motors is fighting for a bailout.

The law, which is also called "fleet modernization" takes effect July 24. It's goal is to stimulate the economy... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31804730/ns/local_news-new_york_ny/

It's a reward for the irresponsible people who drive gas guzzlers. Those of us who drive practical cars get nothing out of the program. I just got rid of my 22 year old Chevy Astro van. I'm not sure if it even qualifies as a clunker, since it was originally rated at 19 mpg EPA combined.

I think they're going by 08 EPA. My cars still don't qualify (20 and 21). The only vehicle in my "local inventory" that fits the car category is a 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood. Even the 1989 Oldsmobile 88 is rated 19 combined on the 08 EPA.

So to get the full $4500 they have to buy a vehicle that is rated at least 23 mpg mixed EPA?
I'm guessing that the worst FSP- 1/2 ton pickups SUVs-are rated about 13 mpg mixed.This would mean they would have to buy something like an Accord,Camry,Malibu or better.

Now the $3500 for 4-10 mpg- this might mean that they could get $3500 trading in a 1990 Suburban for a 2010 Suburban? Of course someone with a 1990 Suburban won't be able to afford a 2010 Suburban,so that won't happen very often.However it means they can get a fair number of crossovers/mid sized pickups/minivans etc.

Folks with decent running 10-15 yo FSPs-like me- probably won't be trading since they probably figure their pig is worth more than $3500 to them- but more importantly-they won't have the $$.

This will get lots of FSPs off the road. Since lower socioeconomic folks tend to have the oldest clunkers, they will have to go small and cheap on their new vehicle. Occasionally I see Focus and Corollas for as little as $13000.

This program might actually do what it is supposed to.

It won't last long enough for me to dump my Suburban-that is 2 years off.

Charlie