I was on cnn.com and found this disturbing video. I counted at least 4 4Runners and 2 Tacomas. Sadly, one of the 4Runners looked like a 2006-2009 and the Tacomas were of the latest generation. How can people do that?

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-311880

NOTE: I am posting this video just to make a specific point about how many 4Runners will be destroyed because of this program. I do not agree with the guys opinion in the video nor do I want to start a political war. I thought this would be of interest to all 4Runner lovers.

I think the guy making the video is being a little dramatic in saying that all of those trade-ins are part of the "clunkers" program. They could all be recent trade-ins, but not all of them are being junked.

In order to qualify for the government rebate, the trade-in had to be at least 9 years old, in driveable condition, and insured and registered for the last year. Also, the new car had to have an EPA MPG rating average at least 4 MPG better than the trade-in. Finally, all trade-ins that got the government rebates have to be destroyed as well, so they have no cash value; you couldn't get the wholesale trade-in value in addition to the rebate. So, if the trade-in was worth more than $4,500, then it made more sense to trade it normally rather than taking a rebate.

I'm not going to start a political discussion either, but I would like to point out that the current crop of idiots in Washington would like nothing better than to legislate vehicles like our T4R's out of existence (except for their own usage of course) via emissions legislation, fuel taxes and so forth.

If people who like this type of vehicle don't pay attention, and express their views to their elected representatives, I can easily see the day where we won't be able to buy them or drive them anymore.

Its just a government scheme to all get us to drive tin cans. **** big government.

I also think some of the dealers are abusing the system to sell off inventory of new vehicles. Between rebates from manufacturers and the cash from the government, they are making more money than they have in the last 1-2 years. The government program will give you $4500 for your 4runner if you get a camry... Basically they take the lowest mileage number (17 for a 4.0L 4Runner) and give you cash if you get anothe SUV with greater than 18 mpg city or 22 mpg city for a passenger car.

Ive been in the auto industry for 18 years and in America for 1 day because I crossed illegally last night from Mexico.

Speak English for gods sakes.

That vid made me sick.

Those are not all "old cars" despite what he says. Something about him calling cars that were made in the last 5 years "old" makes me distrust him, especially since he's trying to make a political statement.

Wow, what a tool. And like most sales rep (with exception of my rep who sold my Tacoma and 4Runner) knows absolutely nothing about what they're talking about. If they only hear the garbage they're spewing out of their mouth.

He said something along the lines of "this is the most effecient auto stimulus program ever and I've been in the auto industry for eight years." Let's see, I don't recall any auto stimulus or any stimulus package for that matter, in the last 8 years. Toyota for the last eight years, before the auto industry went bust, had year over year growth. I highly doubt the third and fourth gen 4Runners, Tacoma and Tundra were worth less than $4500 and are a result of CARS as he claims. If those were a result of CARS the sad part is most dealers taking in the clunkers are putting silica and other types of garbage into the engine to sieze it as the government mandates the vehicle to be rendered inoperable. I'm sure those Toyota engines have plenty of life left in them. I think salvage titled cars should be the ones turned in, those are the worthless ones that could benefit.

I counted:
4 2nd gen 4Runners
1 3rd gen 4Runner
1 4th gen 4Runner ('06-09), appears to be a SR5
2 2nd/current gen Tacoma
1 1st gen Tundra
2 old school Toyota minivans
1 Previa

An Inside Look: The Death of a Clunker.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8225091

Whether or not Cash for Clunkers gets a new lease on life this week,
many dealers will continue to face the unusual task of having to
permanently disable the gas-guzzlers they've collected as part of the
program.

A Ford tech offers a glimpse into administering the "clunker bomb."

"It's kind of a process that we're not used to at the dealership," said
Shawn Lynes, general manager for Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg, Md.,
"We're used to vehicles coming in with problems, we fix them and get
them back on the road... our technicians are now having to kill these
vehicles."

Before the clunkers are shipped off to the scrap yard, Lynes says a
technician must first render obsolete the cars' engines and then certify
they will never consume gasoline again. He says the certification is
essential in order to receive the federal credit under the program,
which requires gas guzzlers that are traded in be taken out of service
to help lower the nations demand for gasoline, and curb air pollution.

Lynes and technician Jacob Henning demonstrated for ABC News the process
of killing a clunker -- a black 2001 Ford Explorer Sport.

"This could have been a pretty good car for somebody," said Lynes as the
SUV took its final drive. The Explorer appeared to be in good physical
condition and only had 100,000 miles.

But it gets 16 miles per gallon. And since it was traded in for a newer,
more fuel efficient car under the Cash for Clunkers program, Lynes said
he has to make sure it never drives again.

Lynes watched as Henning drained the oil from the Explorer's engine.
Then, lifting the hood, Henning poured a jug of "Clunker Bomb" -- a
sodium silicate solution -- into the engine chamber. The liquid mix
hardens as the engine runs, causing it to irreversibly seize up.

Henning revved the engine at 2,000 to 5,000 rpm's, and a little over 3
minutes later the engine sputtered to its death.

"It's dead," Henning said.

Lynes said his dealership has performed more than 20 clunker-disabling
procedures since the start of the program.

"The first one yesterday died at exactly 3:01," said Lynes smiling and
pointing to his watch.

Lynes says a salvage service will come to claim the nearly two dozen
dead clunkers sitting at the back of his lot. Red paint on their
windshields identifies that the cars are "DEAD."

I agree with the others; it's highly unlikely all the vehicles shown were considered clunkers. The only vehicles that make sense to trade via the program are those worth much less than $3.5 or $4.5K on a trade-in.

The guy was just trying to be dramatic.

LOL!!! WTF? I saw an 06+ 4Runner in there and a newer 05+ Tacoma... what in the hell? And they are going to crush those? Man... I'm shocked and even the 3rd and 2nd Gen 4Runner's... amazing.

I will be trading in my wife's 4runner undre the CARS program. If anyone want to buy it let me know. Located in Cincinnati. It's really kind of sad. It still runs great. Really this will probably be done in the next 10 days or so.

97 Toyota 4runner SR5
Original owner
V6
Auto
4wd
Stellar Blue Metalic
Grey cloth
185,xxx miles
Sunroof
Cargo cover
Running boards
Tow hitch and wiring (used twice)
Timing belt was done approx. 60k miles ago
The valve cover gaskets have begun to weep.
New exhaust from header back including cat (stolen)
Brakes have been redone in the past year or 10k miles
Needs both o2 sensors, I have an OEM front but it also needs a rear
Exterior is in pretty good shape for the age. The chrome bumpers have begun to rust from the inside out. One stone chip on the hood has begun to bubble. It could be sanded and touched up. Add a bug deflector and it would be hidden. Some other minor scratching and a ding or two.
Interior is in decent shape also. The drivers seat is worn and the cushions are worn. Passenger and rear are good.
Right now it has FJ Cruiser wheels with 265 70 17 Terra Grapplers on it, those will be switched to my 4runner and you will get the 04 4runner Sport wheels and tires from mine. Lots of tread on them, about 12000 on them total.

This would be a great reliable truck for a new driver or college kid.

Political opinions aside that video is B.S.! Your dealer is OUT of vehicles, yeah right. If the dealer is out of vehicles then its probably closing down. I think some of those clunkers are employee cars as well. People are pretty stupid though so I wouldn't doubt that someone would let a dealer give them 4500 for a late model 4runner just so they could get a "new" car. If thats the case I would've given them 5000 for it!


On another note, I realize that vehicles are just machines. But I am a sentimental car guy and to me a vehicle is more than just a vehicle. I think its crazy that they have to "kill" a vehicle before it meets the crusher. It like a SUV hallocaust. Some deserve to get killed. But some still seem so new and full of life.

You guys are kinda gullible since most of those cars are not being traded in under the clunker program. Most of those are simply trade-ins and will be resold.
My friend just traded in her '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/150k on it with pretty bad hail damage and got $7k for it and it will be resold since it didn't qualify for C4C so I doubt any 4th gen could qualify period.

It is For sale....If someone would bring me $4800 it would be their 4runner.