Anyone have a good experience with the CARS program here on Long Island? (Lima: insurance, buying)

[Newbie2LI]

We've been to 2 dealers and were told that although our vehicle is eligible for the CARS rebate program, that they could not physically give us the car until all the paperwork was submitted and approved by the government. Basically, negotiate price, put a down payment to hold the vehicle, dealer submits paperwork and hopefully in 7-10 days government sends approval and you can come in and get your car.
One of the dealers told us that they have suspended the Cars for Clunkers program because they refuse to give over new vehicles to buyers before the government has even approved them.
My husband says this is illegal. Has anyone had any luck buying a car through the Cash for Clunkers program here on Long Island?

[TeamExit]

thats because the program was running out of money, but i thought i read that they fed the program 2 billion more dollars to keep it going

[Egobop]

Why would they release the car without the government letting them know that they are definitely going to be reimbursed the money they took off of the price for the clunker program. Of course they would have to wait for the government to approve it first. If they do the deal and the government does not approve it then the dealer is personally out of the $3,500 or $4,500. The clunker bill was not created for the dealer to lose money.

[cottercutie]

NHTSA says report them for fraud if they will not release the vehicle to you and/or apply for reimbursement without the transaction being completed (clunker in their possession etc). It's not illegal for them to opt out of the program, and a large number of dealers have opted out of the program.

We bought at Atlantic Kia and didn't have to wait.

[Egobop]

Originally Posted by cottercutie

NHTSA says report them for fraud if they will not release the vehicle to you and/or apply for reimbursement without the transaction being completed (clunker in their possession etc). It's not illegal for them to opt out of the program, and a large number of dealers have opted out of the program.

We bought at Atlantic Kia and didn't have to wait.

If this is true a dealer would be out of his mind to be involved in the program. What happens if the government does not reimburse the dealer? He would just be out of his money?

[cottercutie]

They can ask you to sign a waiver or still come ask you for the money (doesn't mean they'll get it), but they can't hold the new vehicle OR allow you to keep your trade while waiting for approval. But also, if all the paperwork is inline there shouldn't be a problem.

It's really a mess of a program, and it's a lot more work and risk than a lot of dealers anticipated.

[LIMA]

We bought at Atlantic Kia and didn't have to wait.

This is the problem with our retarded govt...

Our money spent, going to another country, that's how to fix the economy.

That program should have only been for US vehicles.. Then you would figure there would be some patriotism in this country... imagine that!

[TeamExit]

Originally Posted by LIMA

This is the problem with our retarded govt...

Our money spent, going to another country, that's how to fix the economy.

That program should have only been for US vehicles.. Then you would figure there would be some patriotism in this country... imagine that!

even if the companies are foreign, buying their cars helps out the people who work for them in this country. aside from the dealerships themselves, many of the foreign companies have plants to build the cars here too. i think the domestic companies should start making better vehicles if they want to sell them and survive

[LongIslandCitizen]

I just got rid of a 20 year old vehicle and received 4,500 toward a shiny new car. You need proof of insurance for the past year, title, reg. I had to fill out a short government questionaire and was basically in and out. The dealership, which had some of the best staff I ever dealt with, also provided rebates on top of that. Free money. low interest.

On top of that I was able to remove almost anything from inside the vehicle I wanted such as an Alpine system and speakers I put in less than 2 years ago. Was worth about 500 buck..any takers? cheap.

Dealership advised If I didnt get it someone else would...I didn't even have to worry about damaging the dash or doors removing it.

Easiest money I ever made.

[suzook]

Originally Posted by LIMA

This is the problem with our retarded govt...

Our money spent, going to another country, that's how to fix the economy.

That program should have only been for US vehicles.. Then you would figure there would be some patriotism in this country... imagine that!

Thats actually a good idea.