There is only a certain amount of government stimulus available for this program, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. As long as you qualify, the amounts given out are either $3,500 or $4,500 depending both on what you buy and what your old vehicle is. If you want to make sure you qualify for the CARS Program, we have the following basic qualifications available:

• Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
• Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
• Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
• Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
• You don’t need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
• Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
• The vehicle that you are trading in is required to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate with the dealer for your trade in is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you and estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in vehicle.

If you have been to the official CARS website, and you have a vehicle that qualifies, why not get a new car? You will be helping the economy, local auto dealers, and you will get a brand new car. This is one of those rare situations where everyone truly wins.