Oppose Federal Cash for Clunkers Program

Realisticaly though the cars from the 50's and 60's are not going to be scrapped, these are already saved for restoration or classics. Is there really anything from the mid 70's on thru to now that is worth saving or is so scarce that it would not be saved anyway. I have read that 20% of the cars are responsible for 80% of the emissions. Also in much of the country rust and road conditions will have taken care of many clunkers before this program will.

I mean how many cars are we going to save and what are they.

Or how aboput a rider for cars of special interest. Personaly if a ford LTD is a clunker who cares, there are plenty of decent ones still around.

 

Sounds like this might be an uphill battle as you're fighting an environmental "feel good" program plus it's probably backed by the auto industry lobby too. But heck, I'd oppose anything that sell out bltch proposes.

Non-profit organizations have been rounding up old cars for donation for some time here.

 

I got the same email.

this is gonna get political in a hurry, so I suspect we'll be moving this thread sooner, rather than later.

I didn't join the FCA so that they could use my money to try and effect policy change.

I am disinterested in what one guy at the FCA apparently thinks of a particular policy.

What I am interested in is making sure that the FCA doesn't do it again. If they want to fund raise for cancer research, fine. If they want to help push a political agenda, not so fine.

I have contacted my regional President to try and get to the bottom of this. I'll report back my findings as soon as I hear.

DM

 

I don't have a problem with things like this.........and I'd take it one step further........I'd impose an annual MOT equivalent inspection on older cars, that would keep the crap off the roads much easier, and generate revenue for the gubmint.......let's face it, if a car has value and is marketable, it will not be sold thru the "cash for clunkers" program.

As far as car clubs go, I've got no problem with them fighting proposed regulations that may or may not affect our pursuit of all things automotive. But on this issue.....their talking points are pretty weak IMHO. Nothin' to see here.......

 

1. Has potential to jeopardize tax exempt status, especially if it opposes particular legislators by name.

2. Makes us look ridiculous when the press gets hold of it (and they will): "FERRARI owners? Against buying CLUNKERS? What do they think a 'clunker' is?--a new Porsche?!?"

 

I'd argue that any position taken would first require a discussion among the members. I've never gotten any indication from the FCA that we're a political organization. We're a club, not a PAC.

There was no discussion, and while it might be a popular position to take, I don't think it's appropriate. Just my $.02.

DM

 

Excuse me. I had the impression that this was FerrariChat.com, not some club. Or am I missing something here?

 

Sort of thing that screws up existing metal recycling businesses and wastes money doing it.

 

Ed, we're talking about an email sent by the Ferrari Club of America to its membership.

If Rob wants tobe political, that would be cool. If Rob wants to take a position and claim it is the position of the members here, not so cool. If he wants to get us on his side in a political battle, then he has this forum. I highly doubt he would blanket email us seeking help in blocking a bill in Congress, unless it was aimed at killing off FerrariChat.com

The question is, "Should the Ferrari CLUB of America use its resources to back a political objective, and should it be soliciting the support of its membership through this email campaign."

 

Hmmm...cash for clunkers.

Maybe owners of old hardware like the random Breadvan or 0846 can seize this opportunity to exchange them for good ole new American iron.

 

I think the legislation makes sense, both because of the emissions point Boxerman makes, and also because frankly there are more, better (safer, cheaper to run, more reliable) cars available to lower income buyers now than ever.

This is kind of political, however, for FCA. Obviously this would affect few, if any, older Ferraris. Even a Ferrari with a blown engine has parts car value. So I don't see the relevance to the Ferrari community.

OTOH, it may make it harder to find replacement parts for the Azteks, K-cars and Pontiac J2000 wagon. Which is a sacrifice I'm prepared to make.

 

+1,000 I am with DamnStuff on this one and reason I may hold back on FCA 2009 renewal. And, I am a member of AOPA. Two different groups, two different agendas IMO. One is explicit, the other a bad idea.

 

I understand your point of view, but it appears that the FCA is not doing the lobbying. They are bringing the situation to everyones' attention and giving you the choice to act or not. When the Club Board walks up Capitol Hill themselves to push the issue, then what you are saying will be correct, they will have over stepped their role and the Club's role.

 

This kind of program has been being put forth by Unical for 20 years. I think they are trying to get polution credits for every old car they crush. They want the US government to give them $700 for each old car they take off the road. A big scam is what it is so corporate fools can loot the treasury. Most car older than 15 years will not run if the emissions are not working. 95% of the old cars (1970-1993) with carbs are off the road and have been scrapped. Just a non issue that some political fat cats want to make a killing on.

 

Did you get or read the email?

They sent an email that they asked us as members of the FCA, to forward verbatim to our lawmakers. If that's not lobbying, I don't know what is.

DM

 

Dennis is correct, FCA is not lobbying here. What they did was merely cut and paste a request from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) into their e-mail blast. SEMA is a non-profit trade association composed of more than 7,000 member companies involved in all aspects of the automotive industry, from manufacturers to car clubs like FCA, and race teams. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is an arm of SEMA that attempts to protect its members (and their members) from what they believe is unfair or unnecessary legislation on national and local levels. For example by distributing information through its 7,000 members, SEMA has successfully impacted legislation concerning scrappage laws, equipment standards, registration classifications, emissions regulations, and more. FCA was merely getting the word out so its members can decide to oppose the legislation or not.

 

Some here don't care if this passes because it may not affect them directly. Some day they'll propose something that will affect our interests as Ferrari owners/enthusiasts. The more control and power they get, the more they want. I will certainly oppose the legislation and support FCA's position.

Jack

 

Having the government hand out money to take cars off the road is not any of their business. Im not going to say gloom and doom, or the sky is falling, but it is in everyones interest who loves cars to fight this kind of government intervention. As has been suggested, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. If they get this policy through, like sharks smelling blood they will propose ever more draconian policies. I dont think the FCA is doing this for any other reason than that they see it as the tip of adraconian iceberg. Car haters dont see an old Ferrari worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, they just see an old gas guzzling car that needs to be taken off the road and crushed so it can be turned into a Prius. Turning a blind eye, or criticising those who are simply looking out for YOUR best interests, may not be your wisest choice.

 

What if the FCA were to "cut and paste" an appeal from Planned Parenthood to oppose overturning Roe V. Wade. Or one from the right to life folks asking for support in overturning Roe v. Wade. Would that be ok?

Legislation is legislation. Asking the membership to take a specific position in support or opposition of said same falls outside of what I'd like from my car club. Maybe I'm alone here, which is fine, but the thought that even a penny of my dues goes toward trying to push the membership left, right or center is appalling to me.

guess it's just those old liberal genes pushing through again.

DM

 

Before everybody gets all political, I have to say this sounds like a hoax. Search "cash for clunkers" and you'll find very little about it--other than the one press release from SEMA that everybody seems to believe without question. Do we have a bill number in the House? Who's sponsoring it? Why isn't the mainstream media pushing it--sounds like just the thing they would love. Has SEMA given any more details? If the only evidence is one press release, I'm not believing it.

 

When I heard about this on the news the other day my first thought was if it would artificially raise the floor of beater car values. I use $900 firewood trucks and know many who depend on $600 Tauruses and such to get to work. What will happen to the availability of those when suddenly everyone thinks their cars are worth $4200?

 

The cougar club is heavily supporting the cash for clunkers idea. http://www.CougarClubOfAmerica.com