It doesn't sound like alot, but if you drove the CRX HF I rebuilt you would be suprised at the tq when you step on it. It can get up to speed pretty quickly.

 

http://jalopnik.com/5324864/eight-wa...nkers/gallery/

also

http://jalopnik.com/5327580/video-ho...r-clunkers-car

Jalopnik is really slow today.

 

Cash for clunkers = big brother?

When you login to cash for clunkers:

A warning box comes up, and it says, ‘This application provides to the DoT CARS system. When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a federal computer system and it is property of the United States government

It goes on to say:

Any and all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, DoT and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign.

Just wow.

 

Sounds about right. When you access federal databases, they don't **** around. IT security is like that at any place that values data integrity. I wouldn't say that's out of the ordinary at all

 

Call me oldschool, but I would rather not have the govt. go through every file on my computer and monitor my actions.

I also wouldn't sign up for this bullshit.

 

So use the stealerships pc to do it, no way i would give them that blank check either.

 

And damn the day that women got the right to vote.

I'm not joking.

 

you sir are old school.

 

Even though this is a thread drift, it didn't warrant a new thread.

Today on the radio, they were advertizing new Kias for $3,990 on the clunker deal. It really does make sense. If your only car truly is a clunker, with the factory rebates plus $4500 clunker deal, you can buy a brand new car for $4k + your sub-$500 trade in.

Yes, it's a Kia, but a new car with a warranty might be a better deal for the single mom so she doesn't have to worry about repairs. They were still touting monthly payments of $69 a month. It's sad, but some still couldn't scrape up $3990 to pay for the car in full, but even if they took the payments for a while and paid it off early, it wouldn't be a bad deal.

Hell, even if someone wanted to just get a "winter only" beater and put the Miata away, new Sorento 4x4's were $7K with the deal.

 

That's why I want to do this. If I buy a 16K honda Fit for 12K, I can drive it a couple of years and have 0 depreciation. You can buy 9-12K cars for 1/3-1/2 off. It's a no brainer. I'm looking at the Fit simply because it is one of the most popular cars out there and holds its value better than any of the Kia/Hyundai/Chevy/Nissan tiny cars.

 

They have a ton of room in them too, size is deceiving.

 

That really does make sense. I have a 92 Accord that I have been driving for a while now. It would make a perfect trade in, plus i live in upstate NY so we get a ton of snow, the Sorento 4x4 would be a perfect winter car for me. To bad I'm not home to do it! Grr.

 

How would a 92 Accord qualify? Doesn't it depend on MPG?

 

Ya, almost no hondas on the qualify list. They all make around 30mpg or more since 1970.

 

Avg mpg rating is what they go by. Combination of city and freeway. Clunker must be be 18mpg or less. Not your actual mileage but the rated mileage. No Accords qualify.

 

Yea I guess I should have read what qualifies. My bad.

 

Well, the clunker money ended up going in a completely different direction. No cheap car to resell.

My wife's never been completely happy with her 07 FX35. Rides too much like the 350z it's based on but without being a sports car. SHE started looking at cars. Drove a couple BMW's (1 & 3 series), couple Audi's (tt & a5), Couple Lexus (is350 & gs350), the new G37 coupe and a couple others.

Stand out winner for her was the TT coupe. Beautiful interior materials and for a sporting attitude car it was smoother and quiter than most of those others. I wouldn't say it's a sports car but a small sport coupe. 2.0L turbo with FWD only. It's the lightest version by far not having the v6 or quattro. I pointed out she could chip it and have another 40-60hp and she liked that idea. It has a true auto manual transmission, not tiptronic. Twin clutch with paddle shifters.

Now we'll have two small black faggy cars in the garage, her TT and my Miata. She's excited that maybe she can come out and drive a track day with me now.

 

Nice pick, kind of always wanted one.

 

what year titty?

 

Good edit!

It's an 09. MSRP was 40.5K with the upgrades it had on it. Uprated interior, plus package, heated seats, etc. With Audi giving 3k to dealers to move 09's, the clunker money and what we were able to negotiate down it's a brand new nicely equipped 09 tt coupe for 31K.

I know there are reasons to hate it. Girly car. It's just a really expensive VW Golf/Beetle. Topgear says the ***** now drive Audi's. (I still think this must only apply to Europe, BMW is still the **** king in the USA) It's funny looking. It's FWD. It's too heavy for a small car. Automatic only. Rear seats are useless.

I have to say after driving it it's a really nice car. The new body style is more agressive looking. The automatic is a twin clutch DSG transmission. Super quick and smooth shifts. There's plenty of aftermarket support to hop it up a little. It was smooth, quiet and really comfortable inside. Fit and finish in and out is fantastic. The useless rear seats will likely be folded down all the time. Like that it actually had quite a bit of room back there. I'm pretty happy with her choice.

Thanks Obama! It's nice getting $4500 for a $500 POS Aerostar with a blown head gasket, leaky power steering unit, moldy interior, etc.