A Simple Request for '08-'09 Owners

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Jun 24, 2009 | 09:31 AM

Torky2

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Fleet Mechanic

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A Simple Request for '08-'09 Owners

If you have an '08 or '09 with front wheel drive (not all wheel drive), please look at the federal certification label, it's either on the driver's door edge or on the pillar right across from it.

Probably right above the big barcode on the label, it will say: "TYPE:", and right after that there will be word(s) like "TRUCK", or "MPV" or "PASSENGER VEHICLE", or maybe even "UFO"

Please tell me the exact word(s) of what yours has for TYPE

Jun 24, 2009 | 08:50 PM

firstonraceday

Laughing Gas

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 781

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From: East Texas

On our 2008 FWD (mfr. date 4/2007 - early build), Type = MPV

Jun 24, 2009 | 09:13 PM

4banger94

Freshman User

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 32

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From: Chino Valley, AZ

'09 xls. Mpv.

Jun 25, 2009 | 10:23 AM

Torky2

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Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

I have been digging through the cash for clunkers bill, and it looks like if the classification of "MPV" (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) equates to a "non-passenger automobile", and I think it does, then we could turn in our old qualifying car, and get $4500 instead of $3500 towards a 4 cyl. Escape, as it would meet the specific requirement of greater than or equal to 5 Combined MPG greater than the Combined 18 MPG of the old vehicle.

But if the Escape was classified as a "Passenger Vehicle", then it would have to get at least 10 Combined MPG greater than the old car to get the full $4500. And only the Hybrid would do that. But I want the 4 cyl. gas engine for ease of maintenance, since I will be doing it. We buy brand-new vehicles few and far between, and run them forever. This would be the first Ford Motor Co. FWD unibody vehicle for us. Have had/have many full-size body on frame RWD Fords, Mercs, Lincolns, all with good luck.

Thanks again

Jun 26, 2009 | 06:45 AM

DoctorCAD

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But its a station wagon. A PASSENGER car. It has 5 seats and 5 seatbelts.

I think you are grasping at straws.

Jun 28, 2009 | 12:21 PM

Jonas1022

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 629

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From: DFW Metromess, TX.

Cash for Clunkers is loaded with Catch-22 rules. I'd sure check it out before counting my rebate from the IRS. It's written to make political headlines, and get people out spending money on cars, not to really take clunkers off the road or help the working slobs.

Jun 28, 2009 | 11:02 PM

Torky2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorCAD

But its a station wagon. A PASSENGER car. It has 5 seats and 5 seatbelts.

I think you are grasping at straws.

No, not at all. It doesn't matter what it looks like looking through the windows. What matters is what the certification label says, as that is what family of specifications the vehicle has to meet.

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Jun 28, 2009 | 11:18 PM

Torky2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas1022

I do quite well reading arcane specifications, so reading the law wasn't too bad at all. So from looking at all of the referenced docs, it looked like what I supposed above was true.

Friday, I found Ford's corporate website now had a tool to select vehicles, and it unofficially confirmed my supposition.

And tonight I see that the feds have added more to the cars.gov website set up for the C.A.R.S. program by the NHTSA, who is administering the program. And there is a table that says:

Category 1 Truck (important wording used in the bill) =
All SUVs with GVWR <=10,000 lbs.
Pickups with GVWR <=8,500 lbs. and wheelbase <=115 inches.
Passenger Vans and Cargo Vans with GVWR <=8,500 lbs. and wheelbase <=124 inches.

There are also definitions of Category 2 and 3 trucks, but Category 1 is where the Escape is. So it's official now!