['97ventureowner]

I'm not a big fan of it. The way it's written now, consumers would get $3500 if they replace their current vehicle with a new one that gets at least 4 miles more a gallon. They would get $4500 if that figure rises to 10+ a gallon more. I've seen bills in the 1980's meant to clean the air by getting rid of older cars and a lot of classic and older restorable vehicles were destroyed by those unfamiliar with the value or the hobby of old cars itself. I'm afraid something like that could happen again. The Bill proposes that all of the vehicle including the body and drivetrain be destroyed. That could cause more shortages and drive up the prices of these used parts for everybody involved in maintaining their older cars whether it be a daily driver, a casual driver, or a show car.
Also with the current state of the economy. and the ever tightening credit industry, I don't know too many people who can finance a new car today.
I think the money could be better spent to hasten the development and production of more fuel efficient vehicles all the while keeping the prices low. The President this past week announced new mileage standards that are supposed to take effect in a few years. and the car manufacturers have already said it will drive up the cost of a new vehicle by at least $1300, probably more in a few years. That is not right. These manufacturers should implement these changes to make their vehicles more fuel efficient with mimimal increases in the current prices. Other, foreign manufacturers are able to do it, so why can't we?

EDIT: I also wanted to add that some of the money should go towards programs to educate the public to keep their vehicles maintained and tuned up so that their vehicles would get the best possible gas mileage possible. I'm just afraid the target may be older cars that are the heart of our hobby and something that we can pass on to future generations as part of Americana. The real target over the past decade or so has been the rise in popularity of gas guzzling SUVs and trucks. We might not be in this situation if their popularity had not increased as much as it did.