Some Dealers Ending “Clunkers” Early

Alabama Mobile Some area car dealers are ending the program at closing time Saturday.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Sat, August 22, 2009 - 6:52 pm CST Last Updated: Sat, August 22, 2009 - 7:45 pm CST

Are you hoping to get a deal in the "Cash for Clunkers" offer?
The program may be ending faster than you think.
Nationally, Cash for Clunkers ends at 8 pm Monday.
But some car dealers in Mobile ended the program at closing time Saturday.
U.J. Chevrolet Sales Manager Bruce Calderone said Saturday was a busy day.
He said, "I think a lot of people, as the program has been going on, didn't know if they have proper credentials to do this, and now that its ending they're saying, 'What the heck: let's find out what's going on.' "
But while the Cash for Clunkers program doesn't officially end until Monday night, Calderone said the program at U.J. was ending at closing time Saturday.
Calderone said, "Its our opinion that come Monday, whatever we do today, we've got until 8:00 Monday night to get all this paperwork inputted properly to the government. I have a feeling every dealership, new car dealer in the country, is going to be trying to get on that website Monday and you may stand there all day and never be able to get in."
We met up with several people Saturday trying to take advantage of last minute deals.
Langham Martin said, "I think its a good buy if you're trying to get better gas mileage."
Shelby Eiland said, "I've had this one (a truck) since 2000. Its got 419,000 miles on it, so its time to buy another one."
When asked what kind of car she would like to get, Shelby's daughter, Caroline said, "The Camaro."
But when asked if she thought her father might get it, she said, "No."
If you were wondering where the so-called clunkers were, go to the back of the lot.
One truck somehow made it there with a flat tire.
So, while the clunkers go to the salvage yard, plenty of new cars are still available even after the program ends.
If you're still interested in buying a car under "Cash for Clunkers," the best thing to do is call the car dealers you want to go to, to make sure they aren't ending the program before Monday night.

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