Interesting blurb on Cash for Clunkers Program

[joemac]

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/11/ford-f150-dominated-cash-for-clunker-swaps.html

Trading an old Ford F-150 pickup truck for a new F-150 pickup was the most common swap under the Cash for Clunkers program, according to the Associated Press. More than 8,000 of these swaps took place under the program, which lead to fuel-economy gains of 1-2 mpgs. The news organization analyzed the just-released details of the Cash for Clunkers transactions.
The F-150 swaps lead to a roughly 15% improvement in fuel economy. Overall, the program’s gains averaged 9.2 mpg or a 58% improvement.
The F-150 has also been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for years if not decades, which may have slanted the results as well.
The AP also discovered $562,500 in Clunkers cash went to deals that did not meet the program requirements. The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating those transactions, which accounted for .018% of the $3 billion program.

[rohrt]

Another example of our great goverment hard at work.
I just read yesterday that if China called in our debt each man, women and child would owe 50,000 each to pay back our national debt.

[ITLBTU]

Another example of our great goverment hard at work.
I just read yesterday that if China called in our debt each man, women and child would owe 50,000 each to pay back our national debt.

Just a thought... not that I would be in favor of an immoral act like this... but I wonder what would happen if we the US gov filed bankruptcy, and told all the treasury bond holder to pound sand, we’re starting over like GM did to their bond holders? I wonder if China would declare war on us? I sure wouldn’t roll over and give the Chi-coms my stuff.

[Chad-1stGen]

Just a thought... not that I would be in favor of an immoral act like this... but I wonder what would happen if we the US gov filed bankruptcy, and told all the treasury bond holder to pound sand, we’re starting over like GM did to their bond holders? I wonder if China would declare war on us? I sure wouldn’t roll over and give the Chi-coms my stuff.

China wouldn't have to declare war on us. Our economy and way of life would collapse eitherway. We are dependent on continued foreign investment to keep the current standard of living most enjoy going.

[IndyNova]

china can suck it!

[RKHiPerformance]

china can suck it!

lol!

[cheapthrillz]

china can suck it!

You won't last long here with jokes like this.... you might want to edit it before the mods see it.... could be offensive to someone on here.

[Ishmael]

I'm not being judgemental but I don't live in the US so don't take me the wrong way, I'm just wondering if the $50000 is the fault of the current administration or the last?

[Twentyover]

It's the resonsibility of all administrations reaching back to Woodrow Wilson, IIRC. Not exclusively caused by the executive branch (President), but mostly Congress, who can't hold a budget together to save their lives. All appropriations (spending) is initiated and authorized by Congress. Congressman can introduce spending at the behest of the president, but are not compelled to.

In the US, Congress controls spending, the president can only approve or veto spending, and vetos can (and are) overidden by congress.

IIRC, about half the US annual spending is structural, and cannot be changed (stuff like social security, defense, medicare, etc), so the disgressionary spending needs to be tightly control. Yeah, by congress. What a laff.

Mod's- not political, I'm calling out both parties as being wasteful

[Ishmael]

Thanks, I didn't know it went back that far. It may sound stupid but I always thought it would be America that was loaning other countries money. thanks for the lesson.

[Twentyover]

US has executed deficient spending since inception. Spiked during the civil war, then drifted down until approximately Wilson's admin, spiked again and drifted down, then spiked again during WWII

[rocketrod]

China wouldn't have to declare war on us. Our economy and way of life would collapse eitherway. We are dependent on continued foreign investment to keep the current standard of living most enjoy going.and so would the rest of the global economy would collapse also and would more than likely spiral into WW III.

[moreHP]

Slightly off but....I went to a local junkyard today and was amazed big time at the amount of cash 4 clunkers cars!! They were stacked 8 high in places like a giant stack of firewood! Some were out for parts, but nothing from the engine since those got ruined. There was more ford explorers there than at a ford factory!!

[Ishmael]

Thanks for getting this back to clunkers - sorry for diverting it.
I know the 8.8 is a strong rear-end. Now that they are plentiful and cheaper, what do they bolt into other than Jeeps? What is the width between the plates?

[Twentyover]

Distance flange to flange- Depends on application. They are used on everything from Crown Vics to Ranger pickups, track widths range from 55 to 65 inches.

As far as bolt i, they're available in leaf and multi link suspensions. I'd guess that as far as true bolt in, it's probably limited to jeeps.

[twosaturns]

the later exploders had IRS also. I've read of those being used in some swaps also.