Chrysler bankruptcy: Grab a 08-09 Challenger while you can???!

[Bondavi]

The difference is when Bush made the proposal for a 4% annual CAFE increase in 2007, the automakers were in a LOT stronger position than they are today. By essentially "arm twisting" the automakers while in dire financial straits, gets them to agree to almost anything. Not only that, but a lot of California's political peddlers (Pelosi, Boxer, et al) got their way in getting the Fed to standardize w/ what California runs along on.

The funny thing is just a couple months ago, Obama's proposal was lower than Bush's proposal for cars and light trucks, but today, the story's different.

You realize that in order to achieve a 42 MPG cafe average, this puts "performance-minded" as is currently known as, cars out of the picture. Even cars like the 4-cyl Mazdaspeed 3, that's out the door.

Now my big question is this - what should we expect for our older classic cars, as well as the late model V-8 coupe sitting in the garage. Will we be protected by either 1) some sort of "grandfather" clause,  2) a special "collector car" registration process and tax   3) smog laws designed to circumvent collector cars, but targeted at getting the SUV's and early 2000's stuff to the crushers

I envision changes to the smog laws, but how, and to what extent, is still unknown.

[bb71challenger]

I guess I better get an R/T Challenger while they still have V-8's. What a nasty thought that the late 70's and early 80's automotive history could be repeated.   
Can you imagine a 4 cylinder Challenger like the 78 version?        

[GhettoPop]

so.....will the challenger be produced again in 2009? 2010? 2011?

[FORDMOPAR70]

  Looks more grim everyday that goes by.  No telling what will happen with this "auto task force" having their hands in the cookie jar. 
The government can provide means to protect me (military), public education, write and pass laws to support our free nation and otherwise ****STAY THE %#@! OUT****.  Government has a much business managing a auto manufacturer as is does managing a McDonalds.

[lilian]

to sum up what we have here in France and in most European Countries, we have a special registration for cars ober 25 years, we do not have to pass pollution standards but the car must complain to braking, lighting suspension and condition regulations.

it is very safe for everyone and I have to admit that American Classics in Europe are often in better condition than the US ones. I bought 10 classics over the last 2 years in the US and not one of them was able to pass braking inspection.

you can still buy daily drivers with big engines (v6.v8 or even v12) but most 4*4 are diesel and most cars ( in france) are Diesel now.
you can buy 4 door cars with 220 hp engines that will be environment friendly and will beat most of US made 4 doors.

i do drive my classics every week ends because I drive a mpg friendly car the others days. I will probably buy a dodge ram this summer as I am coming to the US end of august. I will have to pay a tax for pollution ( $2000). this tax is the same between countries. Some countries buy environment credits from others countries and continue their pollution ( China, Russia, USA), the others who agreed the Kyoto envirnment Agreement have strong regulations but Car makers did what they had to do to have performance cars with good mileage and very good emissions.

[troutstreamnm]

What I am fearing is a new Federal pollution tax or registration tax for all the collector cars and recently sold cars such as the 2008-2010 Challengers, Vetts, Camaros, etc.  I can see the O adminstration punish people for what they believe are inappropriate gas guzzlers or excessive carbon emmiters.  Image a $500 annual FEDERAL registration tax for your new Challenger 

[Wang]

What I am fearing is a new Federal pollution tax or registration tax for all the collector cars and recently sold cars such as the 2008-2010 Challengers, Vetts, Camaros, etc.  I can see the O adminstration punish people for what they believe are inappropriate gas guzzlers or excessive carbon emmiters.  Image a $500 annual FEDERAL registration tax for your new Challenger 

I have been saying that for a little bit now,, and as much as I hate it,, we are going to get it up the ass. Along with a whole bunch more crap that our fine country is going to dish out..    How does 15 dollar a 12 pack beer sound?  We already have
6-8 dollar a pack smokes... and I hear-read that we are going to see huge increases in our electric bills SOON. 

[tommyg29]

....and dont forget the $1,700 gas guzzler tax they have on the new ones now!
Wonder where that money goes?