tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227208641888301588.post4882125073073559154..comments2023-05-29T00:35:58.719-07:00Comments on Good O Texan Exploring Gov't Topics: State Program to Replace Old Vehicles Delayed.....SARAH HILBIGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11203650688713212305noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227208641888301588.post-22837818142961921742007-12-09T09:20:00.000-08:002007-12-09T09:20:00.000-08:00I agree with my classmate's view in that low-incom...I agree with my classmate's view in that low-income families probably don't want to, or can't, take on payments for a brand new car. The state is in the process of putting in place a new program that will give low-income families $3500 to put towards a new car. They must meet certain requirements like not making above a certain amount of money a year, and drive a car that is older than 10 years old. The purpose of the program is to try to take some of the older vehicles off of the roads that may produce more emissions.<BR/><BR/>I work for a car dealership, and when we received this letter from the state, I first thought it was an okay idea, until I thought about it a little more. We, of course, service the new vehicles with the new computers and parts that are supposed to cut down on emissions. And they work great. Except, when these parts start to go bad, and they are out of warranty, wow are they expensive to replace! That is not what a low-income family needs. Plus, newer cars are generally more expensive to maintain. So not only are we forcing these families to take on a new car payment, pay full coverage insurance until the vehicle is payed off, but then we are giving them more expensive maintenance on the new vehicles. If a person is struggling to barely live right now, they can't afford that. If a person does decide to apply for the program and buy a new car, what happens when they can't make the payments on it and it gets repossessed? Then they are left without transportation. Or what happens when a part brakes on it and it costs an outrageous amount to replace? They are then stuck without a vehicle.<BR/><BR/>With the annual income caps that they are putting on this program, I think they are creating more problems then they are solving. If their purpose is to get older vehicles of the road, then they need to offer a little more assistance than just $3500. Or they need to raise the caps, or maybe allow a person to buy a newer model car, but allow it to be used.<BR/><BR/>I, of course, agree that something needs to be done about the emissions because our environment is spiraling downward, fast. But I don't think this program will do much to help it. I think the state is just creating more problems for itself in other areas.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07770933943078659783noreply@blogger.com