a.k.a. "Cash for Clunkers" Program
Qualify for $3,500 or $4,500 vouchers!
Valid towards the purchase or lease of new 2009-2010 Acura
TSX four-cylinder sport sedans
RDX crossover SUVs
Overview
Once in a while, a truly great deal comes along with no rebates, no waiting for checks in the mail. Courtesy of the U.S. government, the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) will soon be in effect. This revolutionary bill-the result of the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act, also known as "Cash for Clunkers"-means you can qualify for $3,500 to $4,500 toward the lease or purchase of a new vehicle if you trade in your old, inefficient vehicle for a new, more efficient one. If you have a qualifying clunker, you'll be able to visit a participating Acura dealer and have up to $4,500 credited toward one of our new qualifying vehicles. Even better, this bill will help reduce carbon emissions and pollution by having older, dirtier vehicles replaced by newer, cleaner and more efficient vehicles. To learn more about your vehicle's fuel economy, click here.
Qualify
Your "clunker" must:
* be less than 25 years old
* have a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg or less according to current EPA ratings
* be owned and insured in your name for one year or more
* be in driveable condition
Know your vehicle's Trade-In-Value
Because your clunker will be scrapped, car dealers are unlikely to give you any additional trade-in allowance beyond the CARS credit amount. It's crucial to make sure your participation in this program makes financial sense for you.
You could get $3,500!
* TRADE UP for a TSX 4-cylinder sports sedan with a 4-plus mpg improvement vs. "clunker" = $3,500
* TRADE UP for a RDX crossover SUV with a 2-plus mpg improvement vs. "clunker" = $3,500
You could get $4,500!
* TRADE UP for a TSX 4-cylinder sports sedan with a 10-plus mpg improvement vs. "clunker" = $4,500
* TRADE UP for an RDX crossover SUV with a 5-plus mpg improvement vs. "clunker" = $4,500
FAQs
From cars.gov:
How do I know if my car or truck is an eligible trade-in vehicle?
There are several requirements and certain conditions for the car or truck you wish to buy. Your dealer can help you determine whether you have an eligible trade-in vehicle. Your trade-in vehicle must
* have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in
* have a "new" combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less
* be in driveable condition
* be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in
Note that work trucks (i.e., very large pickup trucks and cargo vans) have different requirements.
How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured?
The month and year of manufacture (e.g., 1-96 (January 1996) appear on the safety standard certification label that is located on the frame or edge of the driver's door in most vehicles.
How do I find out the combined city/highway fuel economy rating of my trade-in vehicle?
Go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm and click on the model year of your vehicle, the make, and then the model. Under the words "ESTIMATED NEW EPA MPG" in the red banner, there is a red number with the word "COMBINED" under it. That is the new combined city/highway fuel economy for your vehicle. You may then enter the make, model and model year of a new vehicle you may want to buy and see its combined MPG for comparison.
Does the program apply if I want to lease a vehicle, or must I purchase a vehicle?
Under the program, you may purchase a new vehicle or lease a new vehicle, provided the lease period for the new vehicle is at least five years.
Is there a cap on the price of the vehicle I can buy or lease under the program?
Yes. The manufacturer's suggested retail price cannot exceed $45,000.
What is the amount of the credit?
The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500, and generally depends on the type of vehicle you purchase and the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in vehicle. Different requirements apply for work trucks.
For more info, visit the cars.gov website.
