Aug
4
Can I use Cash for Clunkers to trade my car in for a new motorcycle? If not, why not?
Filed Under Cars and Transportation
vtwin_do, Your argument makes no sense and is completely wrong. Motorcycles are primary modes of transportation for many people. Also, C4C is not restricted to Ford, GM, nor Chrysler. C4C advertised goal is to promote high mileage vehicle purchase to reduce fuel consumption, NOT help the big 3. A motorcycle meets and exceeds the mpg requirement by far. And finally, the vehicles traded in have absolutely no use to the dealerships, and most likely are a hassle for them. Outside my wondow, the nearby dealership has several traded in cars in a large dumpster container. No thanks for a completely useless answer. typo fix: window, not wondow Thanks curmudge. Now we’re getting somewhere. Yes, Guardrail. I just read the requirements that say GVWR must be less than 8500lb for a vehicle. Last time I checked, a motorcycle was a vehicle. Yet, no motorcycles were listed on the next page for mpg comparison to your old car. I think we need to hear from motorcycle dealers on this matter.
Answer:
No. and why: “The CARS Act divides the eligible vehicles into four groups: passenger automobiles; category 1 trucks; category 2 trucks; and category 3 trucks. NHTSA will soon publish a list of the vehicles that fall into these groups. For the present, we describe here the statutory definitions, give examples of types of vehicles that satisfy those definitions, and refer readers to the large table at the end of this notice. The term “passenger automobile” and its definition are borrowed from the fuel economy statute. The definition excludes from that term (1) vehicles that NHTSA has determined are not manufactured primarily for transporting persons and (2) vehicles that are capable of off-highway operation. Vehicles not manufactured primarily for transporting persons include pickup trucks and certain vehicles that permit expanded use of the vehicle for cargo-carrying purposes. See 49 CFR 523.5(a). Under NHTSA’s regulations (49 CFR 523.5(b)), there are two groups of vehicles with capability of off-highway operation. The first includes vehicles that have 4-wheel drive and have at least four out of five specified physical characteristics relating to ground clearance. The second includes vehicles that are rated at more than 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and have at least four out of five specified physical characteristics relating to ground clearance, but do not have 4-wheel drive. Passenger automobiles are what are commonly known as passenger cars A category 1 truck is a nonpassenger automobile. This category includes sport utility vehicles (SUVs), small and medium pickup trucks and small and medium passenger and cargo vans. A category 2 truck is a large van or a large pickup truck, based upon the length of the wheelbase (more than 115 inches for pickup trucks and more than 124 inches for vans). Note: some pickup trucks and cargo vans exceeding these thresholds are treated as category 3 trucks instead of category 2 trucks. A category 3 truck is a work truck and is rated between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. This category includes very large pickup trucks (those with cargo beds 72 inches or more in length) and very large cargo vans.” Copy and paste from: http://www.cars.gov/faq I think it’s a reasonable idea, but the majority of people don’t consider a motorcycle as either a primary vehicle or a passenger vehicle (mine is both). The way the programs running (out of money), motorcycles will never be considered. Personally, I’m not going to bother with the hassle. I bought a 20 year old Civic. It’s got 3 more seats and 50 more ccs than my bike.
