President Obama signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System,  also known as Cash for Clunkers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) is charged with implementing the rules for this program within 30 days.  We are expecting the program to be in place by mid July.  It is not too early to start your buying process if you would like to be part of this program, Please contact us.

Saturn of Cleveland is your Cleveland Ohio Cash for Clunkers dealer!  We are watching the Cash for Clunkers bill very closely and are prepared to assist our new car customers in the Cleveland Metro area to take advantage of this opportunity.  We will keep this site updated with the latest news.  The Cash for Clunkers bill allows Cleveland shoppers to trade in their "gas-guzzler" and buy a new Saturn, in return for buying a new, more fuel-efficient car, be eligible to receive up to a $4,500 voucher.

Do you have questions?  We think you might! We have created this information page to give you the latest updates about the bill.  Please use the contact us link below if you have information to share, or would like us to email you where there is an update.

5 Important Things to Know
    * 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

How it is expected to work:
Step 1
You get current information about the program and implementation.
Step 2
Determine if you qualify, then shop for a new car.
Step 3
Bring the title, registration and insurance papers showing continuous registration and insurance coverage for the past full year.
Step 4
When you buy or lease a new vehicle, Sunnyside will handle the submission of all required information to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Association)
Step 5
NHTSA ensures that your purchase meets the requirements.
Step 6
About 10 days later, NHTSA will issue a financial credit to the dealer assuming all program requirements have been met.

Commonly ask Questions:

Why do some people call it Cash for Clunkers and other Call it CARS, is there a difference?
The official name is Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS, the Media has given it the Cash for Clunkers title. 

What is it?
The Car Allowance Rebate System is a new program from the government that will help you pay for a new, more fuel efficient car or truck from a participating dealer when you trade in a less fuel efficient car or truck.

What is NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Association)  doing to implement the program?
As required under the law, NHTSA will publish rules for the program in 30 days. They are currently working closely with manufacturers, dealers, and disposal facilities to get a workable, effective program up and running.

Do I need to get a voucher or sign up for this program?
No. You do not need a voucher and you are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Participating new car dealers will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase or lease, provided the vehicle you buy or lease and the vehicle you trade in meet the program requirements. The dealer will then obtain reimbursement from the government.

Do all dealers participate in the program?
The law requires dealers to be registered to participate in the program. At Sunnyside we are already working on getting our registration completed.

How do I know if my car or truck is an eligible trade-in vehicle?
There are several requirements (but you also have to meet certain conditions for the car or
truck you wish to buy). Sunnyside can help you determine whether you have an eligible
trade in vehicle.
Your trade-in vehicle must
    * have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in
    * have a combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less
    * be in drivable condition
    * be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in
Note that work trucks (i.e., very large pickup trucks and cargo vans) have different
requirements.

How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured?
The month and year of manufacture (e.g., 1-96 (January 1996)) appear on the safety standard
certification label that is located on the frame or edge of the driver's door in most
vehicles.

How do I find out the combined city/highway fuel economy rating of my trade-in vehicle?
Go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm and click on the model year of your vehicle, the make, and then the model. Under the words "ESTIMATED NEW EPA MPG" in the red banner, there is a red number with the word "COMBINED" under it. That is the new combined city/highway fuel economy for your vehicle. You may then enter the make, model, and model
year of a new vehicle you may want to buy and see its combined MPG for comparison.

Does the program apply if I want to lease a vehicle, or must I purchase a vehicle?
Under the program, you may purchase a new vehicle or lease a new vehicle, provided the lease
period for the new vehicle is at least five years.

Is there a cap on the price of the vehicle I can buy or lease under the program?
Yes. The manufacturer's suggested retail price cannot exceed $45,000.

Does the program apply if I want to buy a used car?
No. The program does not apply to the purchase of used vehicles.

What is the amount of the credit?
The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500, and generally depends on the type of vehicle you purchase and the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in vehicle. Different requirements apply for work trucks.

In addition to the credit, will I get the full value of my trade-in vehicle?
No. The law requires your trade-in vehicle to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate with the dealer for your trade-in vehicle is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your
trade-in vehicle.

I don't drive a Saturn, but I would like to trade in my old car for a newer, more fuel
efficient Saturn?
You may trade in and buy any new car that meets the program guidelines.

I have a truck and I cannot find its fuel economy rating. Is it an eligible trade-in
vehicle?
Maybe. Some trucks, such as work trucks, were never rated for fuel economy. For these trucks, age is the only criteria for determining whether they are eligible trade-in vehicles. If you have one of these trucks, it must be from model year 2001 or earlier, but also the date of manufacture must be less than 25 years from the date you trade it in, to be
an eligible trade-in vehicle. Other restrictions may also apply.

I just traded in my old car for a new vehicle last month. Will I get some money back?
No. The program does not apply retroactively.