JK23112

I'd rather the government stay out of it altogether. The free market is better able to determine what cars are "clunkers" and which are not.

Every time Washington does something to 'fix' a problem, they end up with a situation like squeezing a balloon. It ends up bulging out or messed up somewhere else.

jvc350

5.3L is yesterdays 327 chevy. Other than some improvements over time that block has been around for many years.

JK23112

The 'new' 5.3L engine may equate to 327 cubic inches, but it is probably not the same as the old 283/305/307/327/350/400 "small block" V8 we all know and love. My grandpa had a 327 in his 1969 Impala, but it is not the same as a 5.3L in a modern truck. Perhaps they changed it just a bit over the past five decades - while retaining the good, ruggedness that it was known for around the world.

The 5.3L V8 is proving to be reliable - which is good because I have one in my Silverado - and retains the OHV design of the old small block; while having the advanced coil-on-plug ignition and improved heads that (supposedly) allow it breathe better.

This is kind of like how Ford has a new 5.0L "modular" OHC engine (probably based on the 4.6L Triton V8) for the 2011 Mustang GT, but it has nothing in common with the "old" pushrod 5.0L/302 engine from the '80s and early '90s. People will see the "5.0" badge on the fender and likely assume it is the old 302 under the hood.


All in all, it is great to see the positive words about the 5.3L; especially since I am still a Ford guy at heart. I am beginning to appreciate my Chebby.

Bill Miller

I'm with this dude ^^^.

C4C did not create a shortage of affordable cars. I worked at a Dodge dealership while this was going on, and 90% of the cars we pulled in shouldn't even be on the road (most of them weren't actually, they were cars that had huge issues and got put in the garage). We had 1 van that had a blown tranny. The guy towed it there, dropped it off, and barely drove it a few feet before dieing completely. But that's all he had to do to qualify. Our sales for that month were outrageous compared to the few months before that. It DID make us money, and I am sure it did alot for the economy. It is very possible that is saved my job. The company that owned us had just shut down a dealership a month before, and we were next on the chopping block...

RacerX

I m not sure there is such a thing as a "free market". Everything is prone to manipulation.

I think the point of the C4C was not for government to regulate car ownership but to provide a direct stimulus and a rational incentive to relinquish old heaps for a new modern technobox. I thought the age limits were short-sighted and the time frame curt. Additionally, I thought that adding premiums to the fuel efficiency of the new vehicle in relation to the old vehicle was an idiotic idea. Many guys here in NY would have loved to get a $4K credit towards the purchase of a new work van but were disqualified because of the fuel efficiency. Many guys buy their trucks from the phone company, the electric utility, from the city, etc., when they are starting their businesses.

If the program were longer it could have also enhanced the collector car market by removing cars that WOULD NEVER be desirable. There will never be a market for the Chevy Citation, Ford Tempo, Dodge Turismo, Mitsubishi Colt, Toyota Van, Nissan Stanza B510 Station wagon, nope!

JK23112

Ford Tempo? LOL! I forgot about those cars long ago.

One can claim that the C4C helped or hurt the used car market; no doubt about that. However, I still believe such things are (or should be) outside the scope, power and duty of the federal government. Seems to be for every government action, there is some sort of reaction elsewhere that is often not very good for the rest of us.

OLD WRENCH

I dont know of any study that proves folks bought fuel effecient vehicles. There are areas that they just arent practical. I am looking out the window at a snow drift that is about 4 ft. deep, bring on your Prius. Another point, if this program was so succesful why is the unemployment rate still climbing? Can anyone name a govt. run program that isnt broke? If we dont get our heads out of our rears and back the govt. off we are going to lose our Republic. (getting down from soapbox.)

RacerX

Defense Department isnt broke.

But I agree a guy who runs a transportation company cant do anything better than a 15 passenger Express/Savana. No Honda FIT or Nissan Juke is that practical.