Thanks, Mr. President!
Senior Member
Joined: 10-14-2006
Posts: 1,186
From: So. Cal
well maybe the CFC program seems like helping ppl buy vehicles with more "printed money" but at least it gave the desperate auto industry a much-needed bump in sales. So much so the factories have spooled up production, GM even hiring back some laidoff employees. So before you completely trash Obama, I think at least the guy's working his butt off to get the economy moving again. More than we can say for our last president... imho of course. 
Senior Member
Joined: 03-15-2007
Posts: 3,329
From: WNY
I two just bought a 2009 HHR SS using the clunker $$$$$ I turned in a '96 GMC 4 door Jimmy and the same as Jmacallister. I'm just wondering were you found out you can not pay cash for the new HHR ?? I handed a Bank Check to my salesman to cover the full price and she did not hand it back saying I could not pay cash for it ????
I'v also looked thru the CARS.org web site and can not find anything saying that ?????
Thanks
I'v also looked thru the CARS.org web site and can not find anything saying that ?????
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
well maybe the CFC program seems like helping ppl buy vehicles with more "printed money" but at least it gave the desperate auto industry a much-needed bump in sales. So much so the factories have spooled up production, GM even hiring back some laidoff employees. So before you completely trash Obama, I think at least the guy's working his butt off to get the economy moving again. More than we can say for our last president... imho of course.
The car companies still will have a hard road to go yet. The economy is not going to right it's self short term. In fact a fast turn is usually short term. We need to see steady sustanined growth. I wish the Prez Luck on this as we are all in this together.
I just wish he could be honest to say how we will pay for this. The best things in life are not free. I expect Fed Sales Tax, Gas Tax and other things will increase in the future. The so called Rich can not and will not pay it all.
These CFC and Rebate programs are like a can of Red Bull. It feels good while it last. Any good Economic's student will tell you that.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Thanks to all for the help for an HHR SS newbie! The replies and PMs have helped a ton. Now, some serious questions:
1. Reputable dealer in the southern California South Bay that can handle a Stage 1 installation?
2. Is there a CAT back option that doesn't make a four cylindar engine sound like a rice rocket?
3. I have mirror whistle syndrome like everyone else. A home fix job or dealer only?
4. Inner-cooler upgrade? Pipe or full unit?
5. Not a bling guy, but what's the best paint treatment for adding accents?
As always, my deep appreciation for your help. I can build a house from the ground up but changing oil is a challenge!
John MacAllister
1. Reputable dealer in the southern California South Bay that can handle a Stage 1 installation?
2. Is there a CAT back option that doesn't make a four cylindar engine sound like a rice rocket?
3. I have mirror whistle syndrome like everyone else. A home fix job or dealer only?
4. Inner-cooler upgrade? Pipe or full unit?
5. Not a bling guy, but what's the best paint treatment for adding accents?
As always, my deep appreciation for your help. I can build a house from the ground up but changing oil is a challenge!
John MacAllister
Senior Member
Joined: 03-30-2008
Posts: 278
From: Texas
Well, after 16 years, my C1500 step side, regular cab, short bed pick-em-truck with electronic ignition and Eldelbrock headers and CAT-back exhaust was costing me $1,200 every two years to get it to pass California's smog test. And with Mr. Obama willing to pay me twice what it was worth and GM ready to kick in another $2,500 and employee pricing, the time to move on was two weeks ago. ...snip
This might have stimulated the economy for 6 weeks, but as of last night, it is dead and gone, thank heavens! If the government wants to make a real impact and stimulate the economy, they ought to replace every automobile they have that gets less than 20 mpg with an HHR. That same $3B would replace around 150,000 government vehicles, and (if they were guzzlers like pick-ups, suburbans, etc) it would save around 18 million gallons of gas per week. What would be wrong with the Forrestry Service, Dept of Agriculture, Department of Energy etc. replacing Suburbans, Expeditions, Pick-ups, etc with an HHR? THese vehicles need to be replaced at some time anyway. I could except a program like that.
BTW, You are welcome for the $30 the government forced me to contribute to your down payment.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-17-2006
Posts: 6,053
From: Dallas, GA
Don't thank the ranking socialist, thank all of us on the forum. It works out to 116 (assuming you pay taxes, you contributed too) tax payers pulling $30 out of their wallets to get that money to you.
This might have stimulated the economy for 6 weeks, but as of last night, it is dead and gone, thank heavens! If the government wants to make a real impact and stimulate the economy, they ought to replace every automobile they have that gets less than 20 mpg with an HHR. That same $3B would replace around 150,000 government vehicles, and (if they were guzzlers like pick-ups, suburbans, etc) it would save around 18 million gallons of gas per week. What would be wrong with the Forrestry Service, Dept of Agriculture, Department of Energy etc. replacing Suburbans, Expeditions, Pick-ups, etc with an HHR? THese vehicles need to be replaced at some time anyway. I could except a program like that.
BTW, You are welcome for the $30 the government forced me to contribute to your down payment.
This might have stimulated the economy for 6 weeks, but as of last night, it is dead and gone, thank heavens! If the government wants to make a real impact and stimulate the economy, they ought to replace every automobile they have that gets less than 20 mpg with an HHR. That same $3B would replace around 150,000 government vehicles, and (if they were guzzlers like pick-ups, suburbans, etc) it would save around 18 million gallons of gas per week. What would be wrong with the Forrestry Service, Dept of Agriculture, Department of Energy etc. replacing Suburbans, Expeditions, Pick-ups, etc with an HHR? THese vehicles need to be replaced at some time anyway. I could except a program like that.
BTW, You are welcome for the $30 the government forced me to contribute to your down payment.
The ARRA program that is still running this year is indeed replaceing a lot of older & larger vehicles with more fuel efficient vehicles. Most people just have not heard about it. We are doing about 900 in GA alone this year.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-30-2008
Posts: 278
From: Texas
Since I work in this section of the gov, I can comment. The reason they don't, is that most of these agencies carry a lot of equipment and go off road a lot. I have seen them do it in smaller less capable vehicles, not a pretty site and usually destroys the vehicle. Granted not all of them, but a good many. It's getting very hard for any agency to get something larger than they need.
The ARRA program that is still running this year is indeed replaceing a lot of older & larger vehicles with more fuel efficient vehicles. Most people just have not heard about it. We are doing about 900 in GA alone this year.
The ARRA program that is still running this year is indeed replaceing a lot of older & larger vehicles with more fuel efficient vehicles. Most people just have not heard about it. We are doing about 900 in GA alone this year.