When is a "Clunker" not a "Clunker?"

GOOD QUESTION! As one California couple found out. A recent US News and World Report (September 23 2009) story is one we may be hearing more about soon. It involves the couple turning in their 2001 model nissan, under the CARS program, for a more economical VW. Days later, while passing the dealership, they notice the very nissan they turned in, on the sales lot. Thinking they had been scammed, they inquired at the dealership as to what had happened to their Government approved "deal." The dealerships reply?
Dealer Ken O'Donnell told California's Orange County Register that the couple had misunderstood the transaction. "They came in for the cash for clunkers, but we went out and looked at the car and decided it's a pretty clean car, so we took the car on a trade-in. "We decided we're going to give them the $3,500 they would have gotten from the clunker program as the trade-in. We're not asking the government for any reimbursement."

Sound like a fair "deal" to you? Well, that seems to be determined by what you think about your Government. Posted below are some of the comments left on Orange County Register's web posting of the story.

I’m glad that this dealership saved me and the other taxpayers $3500 by not seeeking reimbursement for this car.
The sellers got what they bargained for - a $3500 credit on their new car - and there is one less clunker rebate being sent out by the government. Everyone wins.---Anonymous

My thoughts exactly. as a taxpayer, I don’t want to pay for a perfectly good used car to be junked, which is what would happened in this case under Cash for Clunkers.
better the dealer pay the $3500 out of their own pocket than mine. too bad, so sad. it would be different if they HAD gotten the rebate, and the dealer kept the car and resold it, which would be defrauding the public. but Cash for Clunkers couldn’t go away soon enough as far as I was concerned. I see no problem here.---BrianGuy

Not Really! They end up loosing and the dealer ends up winning because they were sold a car for thousands and they still turn around and sale the clunker, that's make extra money and they only end up giving them $3500, they could off given them $5000 for the car. It is been sold for $6000 plus if they finance it they are getting more money so yes I feel they did get scam, why couldn't they put it on sale for $500 dollars more they went for $2500 more witch is what they were scammed for because the sales guy new what that xterra was worth that's why they didn't seed for reimbursement cause they new they were going to make money of off them.---Ed

This has nothing to do with our tax dollars - the dealership, the private corporate dealership - mislead these people and decided they would be better off reselling the car privately than taking whatever the Feds would give them. They took advantage of an existing federal program to get people in the door. This is what happens when private insurance companies are in charge of our health care - they are motivated only by how much profit is in it for them.--icedamericano

Or maybe it just shows that when you rush a new program without taking into consideration the related consequences, loopholes, etc, this sort of thing happens. The “anointed one” rushed this program through, just like he has tried to rush the health care bill. I still wonder how many of our elected officials have read that one. Maybe instead of trying to pass so many new ideas for “change”, we should slow down and really think about whether it’s needed or just publicity stunt.--ocdisgusted

Or maybe it just shows that when you rush a new program without taking into consideration the related consequences, loopholes, etc, this sort of thing happens. The “anointed one” rushed this program through, just like he has tried to rush the health care bill. I still wonder how many of our elected officials have read that one. Maybe instead of trying to pass so many new ideas for “change”, we should slow down and really think about whether it’s needed or just publicity stunt.--Zek

So, there's just a small response to a "big" issue. Though as far as the deal itself, we feel like ALL consumers have been warned for years about reading the fine print on any piece of paper you are required to sign. Did the couple save the planet? Hardly! did the dealer save the Government tax dollars? Not really. So is this really a big issue? NO! But we do see the consumers concern.

As we at Harmony have posted before, the older cars on the highways do cause a significant danger, not only to the environment, but to the motoring public. Smoke screens from poor exhaust, stalling on busy highways, defective lighting and what if that car has not been maintained well and the brakes are faulty? Surely, these vehicles could be worth more sentimentally to some owners than the $3,500 dollars the Government is offering, but people please, if your auto needs repairs and you (and the planet) would benefit from upgrading to a newer model, TAKE THE MONEY!
Where the money , or credit towards the newer car, comes from is really a small matter compared to the hazard your "clunker" causes your fellow commuters.

For the complete story from both sources follow these links:

Couple shocked to find their ‘clunker’ is for sale.

What If Your Clunker Wasn't Junked?

Thanks for reading and remember, small print could foil a BIG deal.

If your gonna be distracted, make it musical

Ok, we concede, you people are just not going to put down the cell phones, make-up, laptop, food or whatever it is your doing instead of driving. So, we at Harmony are offering a suggestion, try going back to the good ole car stereo. Yes, that thing with the knobs and dial inserted in your dash. Well, maybe yours is more sophisticated and has a touch screen or talks to you or maybe you just use yours as an ipod auxiliary to vent your tunes through, however you use it use it! Now that you are reacquainted with your dashboard functions we want to know what you are shaking your booty, headbangin', or groovin' to while you are driving. All of which are dangerous to do while driving. (Hey, we are a safe driving promoting company, so we have to point out the dangers)

VH1 has released a list of the ALL-TIME GREATEST DRIVING SONGS, so we will share that with you here:

To put it simply: you're still in the horse and buggy days if your car isn't tricked out with a decent enough stereo to blast your favorite tunes. Whether speeding cross-country, or bopping to Piggly Wiggly for a loaf of bread, the front seat is a much more fun place with music in the air.

Here's a list of VH1's favorite driving tunes, the ones that Rachel Perry and NASCAR kingpin Kevin Harvick's used for inspiration during their recent adventure together.

1. STEPPENWOLF - "Born To Be Wild"
Some say it works best when fishtailing on a long stretch of empty road. There’s something about gunning the engine as John Kay growls that he’s up for "whatever comes our way."

2. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "Born to Run"
It's the romance of Bruce’s nothing-left-to-lose lyrics that makes you want to jump behind the wheel, but as those guitars and saxophones pound away, just the cheap thrill of hitting the gas is a valuable rock 'n' roll statement by itself.

3. AC/DC - "Highway To Hell"
Angus and the guys are only interested in forward motion. Pointing themselves toward that flaming cul de sac ("No stop signs/no speed limit," the singer gleefully shouts), they drag you right along with them.

4. SAMMY HAGAR - "I Can’t Drive 55"
Some people have no use for brakes, and as the big beat of Hagar’s highway anthem builds and builds and builds, his defiance of the speed limit becomes more and more appealing. Go ahead and write him up, copper, he don’t care.

5. JOHN MELLENCAMP - "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A."
The singer’s salute to '60s radio was built around a refrain that celebrates Motown, the Brill Building and all the pimple-faced rockers in every American garage band. When you shout along, you’re usually pounding the dashboard.

6. VAN HALEN - "Panama"
More than a few car stereos have been fried blasting this baby, the most sublime union of Eddie Van Halen’s whammy-bar hydraulics and David Lee Roth’s high-test raunch.

7. PRINCE - "Little Red Corvette"
Prince cruises dangerous curves much too fast, turning the heads with that oh-so-sexy intro, killer chorus and a bass line that pops like thighs off plastic upholstery on a sticky summer day.

8. LENNY KRAVITZ - "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
Here’s Lenny’s most successful attempt at writing the greatest riff of all time. Who cares which way he wants to go? Just stand on the accelerator and pretend not to notice the police sirens.

9. ZZ TOP - "Legs"
The Texas trio’s boogie has often prompted wild types to test the local land speed records - it’s just the nature of the rhythm, the "drive" if you will.

10. SHERYL CROW - "Every Day is a Winding Road"
Crow’s back-roads blues riff can make even a quick journey to the supermarket in your Ford Escort sound like the Cannonball Run. The philosophical message is also cleverly signposted.

WOW! that takes you back "in the day". Good to know that this music is holding up.
For an interactive list (Clips and Bios) visit VH1.


Do you agree with this list? We want to know so leave your comments and tell us your favorites. We will let you know what you said in a later post.

Now that we have made the suggestion to turn on the tunes, we have to let you know how to do it safely while driving. (Sorry, again we ARE safe driving ambassadors)

1. Keep volume at a level that does not distract you from hearing emergency vehicles, on-coming trains or screeching brakes heading your way! (That one is like the "HOT LIQUID" warning on coffee cups)
2. Keep in mind that not everyone wants to hear your music. Especially if you prefer the foul lyrics of some music. (AND in some cities that can result in an arrest)
3. Do not build/install your stereo without the help of an expert. (Your car catching on fire does not mean your music is "HOT")
4. Do not spend ALL your money on the stereo upgrade (Leave yourself some cash for gas, unless you like to hear your stereo in the driveway)
5. BE CAREFUL shakin' grooving and headbangin'!!!(You could injure yourself or someone else if it is distracting you while driving)

So, go on load up the ipod, buy your favorite bands CD and get out there enjoy yourself, just be mindful your are still driving.

Thanks for reading and think about a book on disc or some other instructional cd while driving. It's a great time to learn something.