Gov't cars, not for sale?

[marmer]

At the corner of McLean and Bailey, across from Pearland Junior High South, there are now about 100 cars parked in the grass in straight rows. There are plywood signs spray-painted to read "Gov't cars not for sale" and the same message spelled out on adjacent windshields. The cars are all at least ten years old, several older, and they look very worn, with body damage and a thick layer of dust and dirt. Looks like they have been sitting outside a long time, though the just showed up here in the last couple of days. This is near a storage lot and warehouse area, but not actually on the lot, just alongside Bailey Road on the grass.

Anyone know what is going on?

[marmer]

My wife thinks they might have been the results of the state's voucher program to get old cars off the road for emissions reduction and they are headed for the crusher. Seems like as good an explanation as any

[TJones]

My wife thinks they might have been the results of the state's voucher program to get old cars off the road for emissions reduction and they are headed for the crusher. Seems like as good an explanation as any

That would be a pretty good guess. That would mean they are STATE Govt. cars. They will most likely contract tot he highest bidder to strip them for salvagable parts and then off to the crusher they go. Austin isn't gonna just give away $3000 without finding a way to recoop SOME of it back.

[Timnwendy]

I found this link which I think is related to this.

[marmer]

Yeah, I saw that too, yes it is what we thought it was.

Thanks.

[travelguy_73]

Very interesting. The first few cars in the picture aren't terribly old, so I'm surprised they failed an emmissions test (Maxima, Corolla, mid-90's Civic, Sentra, 323). These must be the exception because I have neighbors with older cars than these that seem to run just fine.

[marmer]

Ten years old is 1998. Two of my four cars are way older than that, and our "new" car is a 1999. (We just "adopted" a 2003 minivan, which is messing up our averages.)

Anyway, ten years old and never having had any maintenance, which I can easily believe with some of those Japanese auto-appliances, sure, they won't pass emissions. Probably cheaper to fix them but someone decided to take the money and run. I've sorta avoided looking too closely at the lot (it's literally right by my house) because there are probably several vehicles there which would have been pretty nice with a little TLC, and that's sad.

EDIT: some of them look OK, but a lot of them are relatively trashed. It's pretty clear that they were owned by people who didn't have the bucks to fix moderate body damage.

[TJones]

That's just it, doesn't matter as long as they are ten years old. They won't bring $3000 ANYWHERE in this town, so why not take advantage of the State's stupidity ? However the consumer HAS to buy 2005 or newer, and most people that are trying to scam the state, don't have the credit to qualify in financing a newer car, so they are left driving and fixing up their beaters.

[marmer]

Yes, and you have to be below a certain income level. We looked into it and we don't even come close to qualifying.

[jmancuso]

what a waste. a lot of those cars could be brought up to spec for less than 3 grand rather than sending them to the scrapyard. people that take advantage of this program are probably going to wind up with another car barely newer than the one they turned in.

[TJones]

what a waste. a lot of those cars could be brought up to spec for less than 3 grand rather than sending them to the scrapyard. people that take advantage of this program are probably going to wind up with another car barely newer than the one they turned in.

Did you read ANY of this thread ?

[jmancuso]

Did you read ANY of this thread ?

yes, i did and i still think it's a waste.

[TJones]

yes, i did and i still think it's a waste.

Do you understand that the folks that get to utilize this program will have an '05 or newer car to drive now ?

[dbigtex56]

That would be a pretty good guess. That would mean they are STATE Govt. cars. They will most likely contract tot he highest bidder to strip them for salvagable parts and then off to the crusher they go. Austin isn't gonna just give away $3000 without finding a way to recoop SOME of it back.

TCEQ website: Trade Up to a Cleaner Ride

Crushed, pounded, pulverized. That's what will happen to older polluting vehicles that are turned over to the Drive a Clean Machine program. The TCEQ wants to get these high-emitters off the road permanently.

If Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's goal is to "get these high-emitters off the road permanently," why would they want salvagable parts to be available? That would only serve to encourage other high-emitters to stay on the road.

[marmer]

Probably so the "processing" company has some financial incentive (sales of recycled parts) to bother with this. Also, to lessen the amount of plastic and metal going into a landfill. Additionally, well-maintained older vehicles are not automatically big polluters and there is still a big market for parts. If you've ever walked through a junkyard you will notice that pretty much all undamaged and removable parts are removed before the carcass is junked.

[dbigtex56]

Probably so the "processing" company has some financial incentive (sales of recycled parts) to bother with this. Also, to lessen the amount of plastic and metal going into a landfill. Additionally, well-maintained older vehicles are not automatically big polluters and there is still a big market for parts. If you've ever walked through a junkyard you will notice that pretty much all undamaged and removable parts are removed before the carcass is junked.

You're correct. Facts for Salvage/Dismantlers

As a participating AirCheckTexas dismantler you will receive vehicles from the dealer at no charge, however you must also provide the scrapped vehicle to the steel recycling facility for free. The advantage is that you may sell any salvageable parts other than the engine and emission equipment.

[TJones]

TCEQ website: Trade Up to a Cleaner Ride

Crushed, pounded, pulverized. That's what will happen to older polluting vehicles that are turned over to the Drive a Clean Machine program. The TCEQ wants to get these high-emitters off the road permanently.

If Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's goal is to "get these high-emitters off the road permanently," why would they want salvagable parts to be available? That would only serve to encourage other high-emitters to stay on the road.

Not necessarily the engine chief perhaps a door or an axle. A good evaporator coil, or a good radiator core though, may be salvageable and it isn't gonna give off bad emissions now is it ? These would be for the ones that can PASS an emissions test.