Update 1: Cash for Clunkers Expected to Start July 27

Posted by Mike Levine | July 22, 2009

Cash for Clunkers Signed By President Obama

Update #1 July-24-2009 10:27 PDT:
The government website that lists details on the Car Allowance Rebate System (informally known as Cash for Clunkers) has been updated this morning. While the site used to say the program would start “around July 24,” it now says the program will start July 27, or Monday.

The CARS site also includes updated rules to determine which category a truck should fall under. A “Category 2 truck” is now considered to be a pickup truck with a wheelbase longer than 115 inches that weighs less than 8,500 pounds. So as not to classify long-wheelbase midsize/compact pickups (extended and crew cab configurations) as Category 2 trucks, only the manufacturer's shortest wheelbase is used to determine the classification.

Updated CARS Classification Graphic for Trucks

If all of this sounds confusing, according to NHTSA spokesperson José Uclés, "the ultimate arbiter [who determines what CARS category your pickup truck falls under] will be the actual dealer."

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Got an old pickup truck parked in your driveway that needs to be replaced? The U.S. federal government's Car Allowance Rebate System stimulus plan, also known as Cash for Clunkers, is expected to kick off ~~Friday, July 24~~ Monday, July 27. It's expected to work like this for truck owners.

If you own an old light-duty truck, such as a 2000 Chevrolet S-10, you can qualify for a $3,500 voucher if the new light-duty truck that replaces it has a combined fuel economy rating of at least 18 mpg and gets at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 5 mpg higher, the voucher will be $4,500. The old truck has to be a 1984 model or newer.

If you own an old large light-duty truck, such as a 2000 Ford F-150, you can qualify for a $3,500 voucher if the new large light-duty truck that replaces it has a combined rating of at least 15 mpg and gets at least 1 mpg higher than the old truck. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 2 mpg higher, the voucher will be $4,500. The old truck has to be a 1984 model or newer.

If you own a 2001-model-year work truck or older, such as a 2000 Dodge Ram 3500, you can qualify for a $3,500 voucher for a new work truck or trade down to a large light-duty truck. There's no mileage requirement on these trucks because the EPA doesn't require fuel-economy ratings on heavy-duty pickups.

All trucks have to be drivable and must have been continuously insured and registered to the same owner for at least one year.

You don't need a voucher for the vehicle you're scrapping; dealers will apply a credit at purchase.

We're here to help! You can start researching your new truck with our complete Pickup Truck Buying Guide.

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Comments

Most cars will not qualify for a voucher because of the many restrictions. In those cases, car donation is a good alternative. The donor qualifies for a tax deduction and the charity benefits from the car donation.

Posted by: karenc | Jul 24, 2009 9:56:07 AM

The program does not begin today. The government changed their homepage to reflect the official start day of July 27, or Monday. See: http://excarsalesman.typepad.com/cars/2009/07/false-start-cash-for-clunkers-postponed-to-monday.html

Posted by: Jaxon | Jul 24, 2009 10:33:24 AM

This data on the cars.gov website has mistakes…I have a 1988 3/4 ton 454 Suburban 2wd…It is not listed…But a V-10 4x4 is listed…Chevrolet has never offered a V-10 engine in their Suburban…Any ideas?

Posted by: Jim | Jul 24, 2009 5:23:06 PM

i believe the v-10 stands for half ton 2wd version of the suburban. like how the old chevy trucks would be c10 for 2wd half ton and k20 for 4wd 3/4 ton.

Posted by: Jason | Jul 24, 2009 7:03:41 PM

Some classic cars (trucks) wrecked on the theme picture... What a pitty!

Posted by: ARON | Jul 25, 2009 2:34:06 AM

I am sooking for a nissan pickup that is reasonably priced. 2002-2005 yr if possible.

Posted by: nadine jacobs | Jul 25, 2009 1:36:50 PM

Why do I have that queezy feeling in the pit of my tummy that cars dealers only will make out on this ???

Posted by: coyoteman | Jul 25, 2009 2:31:07 PM

Why it can be minivans?

Posted by: Damaris | Jul 25, 2009 6:56:02 PM

Hello,

Your site http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/07/reminder-cash-for-clunkers-expected-to-start-july-24.html did a great job covering auto donation. I thought the
new Cash for Clunkers program was quite relevant to that and that you might find our
Cash for Clunkers material pertinent for your readers be interested in some information
on the US Government's new Cash for Clunkers program . Please help charities by letting people know that even if they don't qualify for Cash for Clunkers they can still benefit by donating a car by adding a link from http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/07/reminder-cash-for-clunkers-expected-to-start-july-24.html to this page with information on Cash for Clunkers versus charity vehicle donation – http://www.donatecarusa.com/cashforclunkers

Charity Assistance Team
Donate Car USA and for more than 400 charities
Charity Assistance Team
Toll-Free: (888)-317-7279

Posted by: Charity Assistance Team | Jul 25, 2009 9:12:27 PM

Jason thank you that makes sense…I checked my owner’s manual…Chevrolet RV Series Suburban…So the V series applies to the Jimmy’s & Suburban’s…1/2 tons are V10…3/4 ton are V20….

Posted by: Jim | Jul 26, 2009 9:27:20 AM

We traded in a 1996 Dodge Dakota for a 2009 Honda Ridgeline on July 1st and the dealership never mentioned anything to us about the cash for clunkers. I now realize it was signed into law on June 24th but the details were not worked out. Do we have any recourse as far as going back to get that credit? I have talked to the dealership and they were down right nasty. I just feel we should have been told by the dealership and we could have waited another month to take advatage of this program.

Thank You

Posted by: Shirley | Jul 30, 2009 9:18:34 AM

Had a 85 f-250 dsl was trading on 09 ford escape no longer needed or wanted another heavy trk already have an f150 on day of sale found out cud not get escape had to get another f250 to get 3500. thought this was to get amore fuel efficient vehicle not stay the same or worse needless to say i did not get cash 4 clunckers got 1000 for my trade also noticed dealer was adding avg 3000 dollar premium to its hybrid models so much for ur tax credit on hybrids

Posted by: roy | Jul 30, 2009 6:09:18 PM

cash for clunkers is one of the most dumest things to come out of the government they destroy perfect running cars and the sad part is there are so many working class ppl that can use those cars and most of the cars are american cars

Posted by: kennth | Oct 27, 2009 10:28:39 PM

It does not follow that because we do not subsidize smoking, we should not regulate unhealthy activities. Costs and savings are not the only variable. The fact that obesity creates costs is merely an additional reason to regulate it, not the only one. The main reason is its danger to an individual. You are dismissive of subsidizing smoking precisely because of this moral intuition.

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