Does Your Old Mercury Work with Cash for Clunkers
President Obama signed the Cash for Clunkers legislation this week, and is hoping to appropriate $4 billion in funds for jalopies. It’s not going to be an easy mark to reach – Edmunds.com estimates Cash for Clunkers will take 250,000 beaters off the roads.
Some of the stipulations of this bill making it so hard to get cash for your old ride include:
The car being traded in must get less than 18 mpg.
$3,500 – $4,500 to put down on a new car isn’t that much.
People who own ten-year old “clunkers” are not looking to get a new car (usually).
With that stated, it doesn’t seem like Cash for Clunkers will amount to much cash for anyone, except those in an administrative position in Washington (or as we say in Philadelphia: Warshington). So, how does your beater Mercury rank? Let’s start with my old Topaz, which died on the streets of South Philly in 2005. (specs from www.fueleconomy.gov)
1994 Mercury Topaz V6
Specs/Cash4clunkers rating:
6 cyl, 3.0 L, Automatic 3-spd, (FFS), Regular – 18 city 22 highway
Cash4clunkers: $0
Hmm…no good, guess it was ok to donate it to the Salvation Army. Now how about a 1990 model.
1990 Mercury Cougar
Specs/Cash4clunkers rating:
6 cyl, 3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd, (FFS) (S-CHARGE), Premium – 15 city 21 highway
Cash4clunkers: approx $3500-4000
Not bad. For one last shot we’ll go to a larger, older vehicle and rate a station wagon.
1986 Mercury Sable Wagon
Specs/Cash4clunkers rating:
6 cyl, 3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd, (FFS), Regular – 16 city 24 highway
Cash4clunkers: approx $3500
Basically, if you own a late 80′s Mercury you’ll probably get a few grand when a trade in happens, thanks to Uncle Sam. But if you have something built after 1992, you’re probably screwed.
If your clunker doesn’t qualify for a voucher you can donate it to charity. Just call 866.448.3487 or log onto http://www.cars4charities.org.
hey friend because you say the mercury topaz is bad and is by far the ford ghia with mercury topaz topaz.
so many are recycle their cars so they don,t know what are the benefits behind to donate your vehicles to charities and organizations.car donation will help the others to put your car to auction and earn money.when you donate your car or other vehicle,you helped someone in need indirecly through our charities.And also,you are donating a vehicle to qualified charity like http://www.cars-to-charity.org/ you can claim the donation deducte your taxes and help to reduce the income tax which u have to pay.The company also offers rewards and vacation packages with the donation of a vehicle worth over $500.