Cash for Clunkers

The Cash for Clunkers program is old news now. Some consider it a success but I'm not sold. I was never really a fan of it. Actually, my first thought when I heard about it was "But I already own a clunker. Why should my tax money buy more?"

I don't like that so many semi-decent cars were pulled off the road and destroyed. As someone that refuses to finance a car, I like the cash car. A lot of those inexpensive cars are no longer on the road. No, they weren't going to win beauty contests. No, they may not have gotten great mileage. But they worked, they were affordable, and, if purchased right, were interest-free.

There are also a lot of people that don't have any kind of transportation. A so-called clunker may have been very much appreciated. They could really have used a low priced Ford Explorer to safely carry their kids, commute to work, or even start their own business. Now that Ford Explorer has been destroyed. Was it green? No. But sometimes dirty brown is better than clean green.

While I can't blame people for taking advantage of the program, I hate to think about how many car loans were issued during the program. Did we not learn we couldn't loan/borrow our way out of the economic mess? From what I've read, I'm not the only one expressing remorse about the program. According to this article, the levels of buyer remorse for those using Cash 4 Clunkers is about twice the normal rate. Yikes!

Here's what really hurts me. The other day I heard about the actual cars that were turned in. Overwhelmingly, the list includes the expected SUVs, trucks, etc. But that's not all. AutoBlog offers a staggering lists of other vehicles. Here are a few that, when I read about them, made me feel like I'd been kicked in the stomach:

373 Mazda RX-7s
327 Toyota Supras
6 Porsche 928s
61 Pontiac Fieros -- based upon the mpg requires, I'm guessing these were the GT model
A GMC Typhoon
A 1989 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am
A 1987 Buick Grand National

A TYPHOON?! AN ANNIVERSARY TRANS AM?! A GRAND NATIONAL?! Are you kidding me?!

I previously said I couldn't blame people for taking advantage of the program. I was wrong. I blame the person that traded that Buick. I blame the person that traded that TA. What were they thinking? That's wrong. So very wrong. I wonder if they traded these in for Ford Focuses? I wonder if they realize that, with immediate depreciation, their new car may now be worth less than what they traded in (even in crummy, but running condition). And that without considered the sheer awesomeness they gave up. Ugg.

Breathe, Brett. Breathe. I need to look at a Grand National. Here's one from Auburn a couple years back.

Auburn 2008: Sale-A-Bration

Labor Day has come and gone. As is usual, my Dad and I hit the Kruse Auction Park in Auburn, If for our annual trip to the enormous collector car auction. We've been going on Saturdays recently. Typically, that's when the most cars are there. That also means that's when the most people are there. This year, we shook things up and went Friday evening. It was a good decision. For one thing, admission was half price after 6 pm so it only cost $10 instead of $20. The crowd was a lot smaller too. That means no fighting to see things, no fighting to get food, and no fighting to find a place to eat your food. The weather was a lot nicer too. We had the cool evening breeze instead of the 90 degree afternoon heat. And there were more than enough cars.

Some notes:

1. We saw 5 AMC Javelins. That's more Javelins then I've seen at Auburn for the past 10 years...combined.

2. We saw probably 10 Avantis and 10 Studebakers.

3. And the Edsel count had to be close to 20.

And there's something special for you Hardcastle and McCormick fans out there (you know who you are) It's the first picture of the bunch.

Car Smart

I'm a car person. I tend to find beauty in some form or another in just about any vehicle. Whether it's the wooden frame of the Morgan, the off-road prowess of a Jeep CJ, or the everyday functionality of a station wagon. That being said, I'm intrigued by the new (new in the States, at least) Smart ForTwo despite my tendency to poke fun at them around the office.

There are certain things that I really like about them. I like that it is what it is. Does that make sense? I mean, it doesn't pretend to be the family truckster. It doesn't pretend to have any off-road capability. It's basic transportation for one or two people. I like that it takes up so little space in the garage/in the parking lot/on the road/etc. I also like that it's inexpensive relative to other new cars. Even the appearance has started to grow on me.

Still, there are things I'm unsure about. As a family man, I don't think I can get by with just two seats. If I'm getting just two seats, I'll be looking at a well-used Mazda Miata. That's not so much a problem with the Smart ForTwo so much as simple buyer incompatibility. Also, I'm genuinely surprised by the Smart ForTwo's fuel economy ratings. From SmartUSA the car is rated at 40 city/45 highway mpg according to 2007 EPA standards and 33 city/41 highway mpg according to 2008 EPA standards. While those are great numbers I would've expected better. I'm basing that expectation on my 1995 Honda Civic EX that's regularly pulling in 35+ mpg (probably 40+ with some tuning)...and that's with four seats and less-than-economic driving habits. While my Civic won't make the numbers of the Smart ForTwo, it is pretty close and there are older cars that will match the Smart FotTwo. If one is willing to give up frills and attention, older four-seaters like the Honda Civic VX (48 city/55 hwy) and the Geo Metro (44 city/49 hwy) are fine examples.

What I'm most anxious to know is how well the car will sell. The commuter car isn't a new idea. It's been done repeatedly. There was the Pontiac Fiero that started out selling like crazy. While it was a successful commuter (and even sporty driving car), the initial models fell short of the hard-driving sports car one would expect from a mid-engine two-seater [all that changed with the GT model, of course]. The Fiero certainly isn't the only two-seater commuter. Long before, there was the Isetta, a successful minicar that didn't really fly in the States. More recently, The Suzuki X-90 didn't sell well at all. The Honda Civic del Sol might fall into this category. I think it sold well but even it is out of production. Granted, times are changing. Perhaps the Smart ForTwo will be successful where other cars have not been. They definitely generate a lot of talk...much more than most cars. It'll be interesting, to say the least. I'd really like to stop by the local dealership and take a look at them...maybe even take one for a test drive. Not sure if/when that will happen...with a 19-month-old and a 6-week-old, test driving a car for fun isn't a high priority.

As a side note, is it just me or does it seem like it takes a lot of styling cues from the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe?

Safer Roads Through Wheelies

Here's what I think could make roads safer...put more people on motorcycles.

Wha...? But motorcycles are so unsafe, right?

I know it sounds weird. I know it's not practical and I do say it half in jest. At the same time, I genuinely believe some time on spent on two wheels can help us all to be more careful when we're on four.

Here's the thing, there are so many people on the road that really aren't driving. They're talking on the phone. They're messing with their satellite radio. They're shaving or putting on makeup (not necessarily the same driver...but that would be interesting). With all the multitasking taking place in these steel and plastic cocoons, the actual driving has become secondary.

Motorcycles are different. Sure, you can have a nice stereo on your motorcycle but, ultimately, your focus must be on the road, you hands on the handlebars. A bike doesn't allow distractions. It doesn't take much time on a bike before you learn to be proactive, to drive defensively, and really pay attention. When you're hanging out there in the open, the right-of-way quickly becomes less important than safety. That's the first lesson you learn in a riding course...don't assume you can take action just because you're right to do so, you have to take the extra step to verify that you can survive the action. All these are valuable lessons even for those on four wheels. I know my automobile driving skills improved dramatically after only a little time on a motorcycle.

Maybe motorcycles aren't for everyone. Then again, maybe it is for a lot of people that haven't tried it. It really is a beautiful thing. The closeness with a machine. The rush. The pull of the engine. The sheer openness. It takes effort, sure. You may arrive to your destination a little tired but it's incredibly refreshing. It clears the mind.

As for the safety of the actual bikes, the biggest threat are the multi-taskers in their cocoons. While bikers can't force them to pay attention, steps can be taken to increase motorcycle safety. Take the ABATE riding course. Get your motorcycle endorsement. Wear a DOT approved helmet (preferably SNELL approved, as well) and proper riding gear. Be as visible as possible. And, like so many other activities, practice.

And, you can do wheelies...carefully, of course.

High Yield Hybrid

Warning: I'm all over the place with this one.

Word is the Toyota Prius outsold the Ford Explorer in 2007. It's an interesting statistic and I think it does say something about the nation's changing attitudes towards car purchases, fuel economy, and the environment. However, I'm not sure it says that much.

Comparing the sales of two similar vehicles is a good indicator of buyer preferences. Looking at sales for a Honda Civic vs. those for a Volkswagen Jetta seems like a valid comparison. But, once that comparison starts spanning completely different market segments, the validity of the comparison drops. This is especially true when the different market segments are as vastly different in size and scope as large SUVs and hybrid cars. Let's face, if a buyer is looking for an SUV, the Explorer is only one option out of dozens. What manufacturer doesn't build a SUV? On the other hand, a buyer looking for a hybrid car, can choose from, what, a handful options? An even better comparison would be to compare sales of hybrid Civics with their non-hybrid counterparts. Those interested in the SUV market would be advised to check the numbers of something like the hybrid and non-hybrid Toyota Highlanders.

Somewhat related is that the Prius dramatically outsells its closest competitor, the Honda Civic hybrid. One would think the Civic, having been around since the mid-1970s, would have a strong following of previous owners. Is the difference due to Prius having been around a few more years than the Civic hybrid? Or, does it have more to do with the image of hybrid cars and hybrid car owners as this editorial argues? Is there something to be said for flaunting one's greenness.

Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not anti-hybrid by any means. I do question whether hybrids are a long-term answer to ongoing fuel issues and I'm hesitant to put that much money into something that's a band-aid. If a hybrid makes financial sense when we're looking for our next car, we'll certainly consider it. If it comes down to me having to drive the car fifteen years for the fuel savings to catch up with the extra expenditure...well...it's probably not going to happen.

Anyway, hybrid sales for November of 2007 made up less than 3% of "light duty" vehicle sales. I think that's still a dramatic upswing from some past numbers but there's still a long way to go. Keep it up, hybrids, my checkbook is watching.

So Long, Star

Well, I sold the Star the Moped. Yep, someone bought and took it home last night. It's a little saddening as I did put a lot of work into the thing. And it had a lame coolness that I'll miss. Still, I made a decent amount money on it...probably a $100 more than I put into it. That's a good thing. Of course, if I look at the hours I invested, it probably translates to me earning something like $1/hour. Those were enjoyable hours, though, so looking at the hourly income is a little meaningless.

Anyway, I have some extra cash. And I have a pretty significant chunk of my garage floorspace back. I'm happy about both of those things.

I was also happy to see the moped go to a good home. I know that sounds silly and part of my means it to be silly. There's another part of me that's serious. The new owners live in Bloomington, Indiana and it sounds like they have a pretty close group of fellow moped riders. Star will get to feel the thrill of the open road far more often than it ever did with me.

So long, Star. The journey we shared was slow, sometimes hard-starting, and often frightening. More importantly, that journey was always fun. Thanks.

The H-Bomb is ours!

Well, we've finally done it. My wife dropped the very last of our car payments off at the bank the other day. As of now, our 2005 Hyundai Tucson, the car I affectionately call "The H-Bomb" is ours. That last payment was a doozy, covering probably a couple years of monthly payments but, boy howdy, does it feel good to have it done. Now, all we have to do is wait for the title. And, from now on, NO MORE CAR PAYMENTS! At least not if we can help it.

As for the debt situation, all we have left is the house. That puts us through the first 3 steps of Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps to financial peace:

	$1,000 to start an Emergency Fund
	Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
	3 to 6 months of expenses in savings
	Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
	College funding for children
	Pay off home early
	Build wealth and give!
	Invest in mutual funds and real estate

We got steps 2 and 3 out of order but, hey, works for us. Step 4 should be cleared once we get to our annual opportunity to adjust our 401(k) account.

I have to admit, though, that I'm disappointed not to find "Purchase Ferrari 308 GTS" on the list. These are just guidelines, right?

Auburn 2007: Sale-A-Bration

For me, Labor Day translates to my annual trip to the Kruse Auction Park in Auburn, IN for what's grown into one of the largest collector car auctions in the country. My Dad and I have been going each year since I was a little kid...back when the auction filled a high school football field. Now they have 480 acres and they expect to have 5,000 cars for sale. For a car-guy like me--especially one that loves old cars--it's incredible.

This year was no different. A few of the highlights:

1. $650k Cobra (the black one with the red, white, and blue stripes in the slideshow).

2. A metallic green Mercury Cougar (I think a 1968 or so).

3. 1970 Hemi Superbird. It's the bright orange car with the massive spoiler on the back. What I really liked was that the car had been used as the getaway car for a casino robbery in Reno. They robbers didn't exactly go inconspicuous, did they?

All that being said, the real highlight was spending the day with family and friends. My mom even enjoyed it...she got to babysit and have Jesse to herself for an entire day.

Oldies but Goodies

I like old things. Old cars. Old motorcycles. Old furniture. Old people. Explains the whole "retro" part of "Retro Brett," doesn't it? When we moved to the apartment, it was a little sad that so much of our old/old-themed things had to go into storage. I know it's silly but I'm really looking forward breaking open that storage locker. The things I miss most? Well, here's the list.

1. Late 60s/Early 70s Sears Spyder. Maybe our best ever Goodwill find. It’s a 24 inch, 5-speed, glittery pink banana seat bike. It took a lot of effort to clean it up (new tires, tubes, cables, white cable housings, brakes, and a lot of polishing compound).



2. Late 60s/Early 70s Huffy. Another banana seat bike from Goodwill. Smaller than the Spyder. I rode it to work once and my back hurt for days. The wicked wheelies I can pull on it are worth the pain. Again, major cleaning and fixing up involved.

3. Arcade Cabinet. I finished this a few years ago so it's not technically old. It does, however, play a ton of classic arcade games…even does so legally. Each player has a joystick and ten buttons. That’s 28 switches between the two players. With two wires per switch and two connections per wire…sheesh…that’s 112 tiny, tiny soldered connections. Sorry for the bragging. My wife and I are fond of Asteroids.

4. Bookcase. My first attempt at building real furniture. Sliding doors. Low and long. Again, not really old but it's definitely a throwback to Mid-century modern design à la Brett.

5. Drawing table. Not old. Doesn't even look old. Still, I miss it.

6. 1984 Tomos Bullet A3 moped. Serious restoration on this one. I call it the Star Spangler. So lame it's cool.

Civic-Minded Naming

Yes, the new car has a name. After much consideration, it came to me while feeding Jesse the other night...the car shall be named "Rhonda." For the first time in my life, I'm considering a last name for a car. Currently, in the running is "Chivek" and "McCivic." I think both work.

I'm sure we'll be close enough that we can simply use first names.

New Wheels

I looked at a lot of cars. I mean A LOT of cars. Seriously, I checked out everything from a 1963 Dart to a 1984 Corvette. I have little doubt that my search drove my very patient wife crazy. But, the search is over…I have a new-to-me vehicle. I scored a one-owner 1995 Honda Civic EX last night. It could use some work with a buffer but, otherwise, the thing is in great shape.

The car doesn’t really have the “cool-factor” I was going for. I mean, compared the Firebird and Cutlass convertibles I considered, the Civic is downright lame. I mean, can you see a Civic with a massive, fiery bird on the hood? THAT’S just silly.

So it lacks the swank of the Firebird. That’s sad but ok. It’s difficult to argue when I look at what the Civic does have going for it:

1. Roomy enough for me to buzz around town with my son.
2. Fuel efficiency.
3. Reliability.
4. A zippy VTEC engine.
5. Rides and feels like a go-cart.
6. A power sunroof (It’s not a convertible and it doesn’t have t-tops, but it’s decent).
7. 5-Speed manual transmission (way fun).
8. The name is a palindrome.

I’m hoping it all adds up to something I can keep and enjoy for a very long time. Maybe even long enough that I can scrimp and save enough to splurge on that project/hobby vehicle I’m always looking for. That being said, I’m not ruling out the possibility of a giant flaming hood-bird flying into my future.

Now all the Civic needs is a name. I've already used The Red Scare so that's out. The Baked Bean? Scooter? Any suggestions?

Them Duke Boys

The car to end all cars is officially available on eBay. It’s not just a General Lee. It’s THE General Lee. Or, at least, one of the very few REAL General Lees. It’s really a shame I don’t have the $2 million + to splurge on it. Seriously, there are replicas at the Auburn Collector Car Auction on a fairly regular basis and each one takes my breath away. Even a non-General Lee Charger of the era quickens my pulse. Paint it orange, throw up the “01”, play some Dixie, and my knees get a little weak.

I’ll tell you what really disappoints me with the listing…the complete lack of a VIN. I’m sure it’s probably old enough that it doesn’t have the full 17 digit VIN (though I could be wrong on that) but I’d love to run a CarFax report on it. I image is would read something like this:

12/14/1979: Vehicle Totaled - jumped ravine

1/4/1980: Vehicle Totaled – Jumped semi carrying Boss Hogg’s slot machines.

1/11/1980: Vehicle Totaled - jumped river

1/25/1980: Vehicle serviced at Cooter’s Garage. Later totaled.

2/8/1980: Vehicle totaled damaged while doing that “up on two wheels” trick in daring rescue of guest star Loretta Lynn.

2/15/1980: Vehicle Stolen, used in bank heist by look-alike owners. Totaled while jumping barn.

2/22/1980: Vehicle totaled during skirmish with Mean Green Machine. Damaged by stray dynamite arrow

2/29/1980: Vehicle reportedly used in theft of orphanage money. Later determined to be a replica owned by Boss Hogg in attempt to frame those Duke Boys. Vehicle totaled while jumping Hazzard construction.

Farewell, Speedwagon

Speedwagon is gone. I just handed the keys to my Pontiac Vibe over to the new owner. I feel like there’s a station wagon shaped void in my soul. I’ll miss the car…it was my first new car and it is still an excellent vehicle. Seriously, I think it was a good decision on my part. I found it a good home and the new buyers were very excited to find the car. I think they were even more excited than I was when I first bought it.

What do I do now? Well, several transportation options are under consideration. A small pickup? Some kind of sporty, fuel efficient, Econobox? There’s a certain Fiero nearby that, despite being completely impractical, I’m finding difficult NOT to consider. In any case, I will not be purchasing another new vehicle…probably ever. And whatever I do get will be cheap…cheap enough to allow plenty leftover from the sale of Speedwagon to make a good dent in our upcoming house down payment and/or what we still owe on The H-Bomb, my wife’s car,.

In the meantime, I’m hitching rides with my wife. Maybe I’ll bum transportation off of my coworkers. If the weather is decent, I can ride my bike to work. It’ll actually be kind of fun. Mayby not as much fun as building the Lego Vibe above but, still, fun.