To bring everyone up to speed: the Associated Press released a report last night which collectively had prospective car buyers, dealerships, manufacturers and congressmen in panic-mode in regards to the exhaustion of funds, some $1 billion, appropriated for the popular Cash For Clunkers program that went live just one short week ago.

The Facts
Nobody knows for sure if all the money is gone.  Dealers have all reported brisk sales, and as of this morning, the National Highway Traffic Highway Association have processed roughly $250 million worth of applications.

The House has moved with unprecedented quickness, approving an additional $2 billion for the popular program by a landslide 316-109 vote this morning.  The bill is now in the Senate, and should be voted on sometime next week.

The Math
With approximately 23,000 dealerships registered for the Cash for Clunkers program, we can see what the panic was all about: if each dealership were to take a few clunkers per day, you’d approach the $1-billion doorstep rather quickly, since the average voucher is valued at $4000:

23,000 (dealers) * 10 (deals already per dealer) * $4000 (avg. voucher) = $920,000,000

The Future
The onus now lies with the Senate; the vote could go either way and nobody can really predict what will happen, though we can offer our prediction: the bill will get passed, albeit with modifications to the rules focusing primarily on fuel economy improvements (the 2-mpg “improvement: was laughable).  It’s possible that qualifying vehicles would have to obtain closer to a 4-mpg improvement over the clunker traded in.

Bottom Line
…is this: When opportunity knocks, it’s in your best interest to answer.  If you were procrastinating about trading in your clunker, act fast.  There’s still a 50-50 chance that the additional funds will or won’t get approved.  The timing couldn’t be better: you have the weekend in front of you, and CarsDirect puts all the new car research at your fingertips to help you make a well-informed buying decision.

Links
Click here to see if your qualifies for trade-in. Your average fuel economy must be 18 mpg or less.

Click here to see what you need to bring to the dealer.

Click here to start the search for your brand-new car.

There’re so many reasons to drive home a 2008 or 2009 Ford Explorer. Ford’s venerable mid-size SUV comes equipped with your choice of a 210-horsepower V6 or a 292-horsepower V8. Not the least of which being the substantial rebate Ford is offering right now on all Ford Explorer models, including the XLT Sport and luxurious Eddie Bauer Edition.

With the economy being what it is, it’s the perfect time to pick up that SUV you’ve always wanted. Imagine having nearly 86 cubic feet of cargo room at your disposal once all the rear seats are folded down. You could move your in-laws in (or out) of your house with ease. Or how about the ability to tow up to 10,000 lbs. with the 4.6-liter V8 and optional AWD? The possibilities are nearly endless with this vehicle. What makes this deal even sweeter is the respectable fuel economy the Explorer achieves.

With the 4-liter V6 getting 14/20 mpg (city/highway) and the 4.6-liter V8 getting just slightly better than that at 15/21 mpg (city/highway), the Explorer isn’t as thirsty as you might think. As you can see, there are many reasons to purchase a brand new Explorer. Click the links below and type in your zip code to find the lowest prices in your area.

Click to 2009 Ford Explorer Pricing to see the prices of a 2009 Ford Explorer in your area.  To find the pricing and availability of the 2008 Ford Explorer, check with your local dealer by clicking here. 

For the 2008 Chrysler 300. the first rear-wheel drive model to wear the prestigious 300 badge in over 25 years, Chrysler wanted to preserve more than just the namesake of their new flagship car. The development of the 300 was actually a collaborative effort between Chrysler and Daimler-Benz. In fact, the 300 shares many of its components (as well as many technologies) with the previous generation Mercedes E-Class sedan. This equates to a performance and luxury bargain, since you are paying less money for essentially the same vehicle.

An optional all-wheel drive system using Mercedes’ award-winning 4matic technology and a class-leading suspension taken straight off of the E-Class are just some of the features that the 300 benefits from. But it’s the 300’s American DNA that really makes it so attractive. With styling that recalls the ’57-‘59 Chrysler 300, a muscular stance and massive chrome front grille, the new 300 looks like nothing else on the road.

Throw in the 360-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and you’ll think the muscle car era never ended. If you do opt for the HEMI, you’ll have the advantage of Chrysler’s innovative cylinder shut-off technology, which allows you to run on the minimum number of cylinders needed to achieve the best possible fuel mileage. We wouldn’t be telling you all of this if there wasn’t a tremendous deal going on.

Right now, there are huge chunks of customer cash offered on all 2008 Chrysler 300 models as well as super-low APR financing available for qualified buyers. To find out exactly how much money you could save, click the link below and type in your zip code. While you may not exactly be getting a muscle car, you will get a stylish and functional car that is a modern tribute to America’s glorious automotive history.

Click here for the lowest 2008 Chrysler 300 Prices

Click here for the lowest 2009 Chrysler 300 Prices

Are you in the market for a midsize 4-door sedan that gets 29 mpg on the highway?  Ford thinks so, and is offering big rebates on all 2009 Fusions. Or, take advantage of their offer of 0% APR for up to 36 months on all 2009 Fusions. Either way, you’ll save a lot of money.  Add to the fact that the Fusion offers a lot of car for the money right off the bat, and you have the perfect fusion of timing and availability. Have you driven a Ford lately?

2009 Ford Fusion S 4-cyl Front-wheel Drive Sedan
2009 Ford Fusion SE 4-cyl Front-wheel Drive Sedan
2009 Ford Fusion SEL 4-cyl Front-wheel Drive Sedan
2009 Ford Fusion SE V6 Front-wheel Drive Sedan
2009 Ford Fusion SEL V6 Front-wheel Drive Sedan
2009 Ford Fusion SE V6 All-wheel Drive Sedan
2009 Ford Fusion SEL V6 All-wheel Drive Sedan