Troup County residents may see a number of new cars on the streets, thanks to $3 billion and a government program.

The “cash for clunkers” program has brought thousands of car shoppers into dealerships across the nation since July. Troup County dealers have seen an influx as well.

“It became almost taboo to buy an automobile. Like, if you bought a car, you’re not being patriotic. You’re doing something wrong,” said Tim Robinson, sales manager for Parkway Mitsubishi on Lafayette Parkway. “It’s gotten people interested in buying cars again.

Whether frowned upon or not by the public, $3 billion has gone into the government program, which has put cars with better gas mileage into the hands of drivers.

The discount of $3,500 or $4,500 has enticed buyers of all shapes and sizes to help save the environment one clunker at a time.

Even primarily used car dealerships have seen some of the action.

Parkway Mitsubishi has seen only five or six “cash for clunkers” participants since the program began. Meanwhile, LaGrange Toyota and Mike Patton Auto, also both on Lafayette Parkway, have seen 35 to 40 and about 55, respectively.

With a government manual carrying more than 50 pages of rules and regulations, however, just one clunker can be difficult.

“It’s a lot of red tape,” Robinson said. “For us, it’s a lot of work, but it provides a nice incentive for you to come in and buy an automobile.”

The government Web site - www. cars.gov - allows owners to check if their vehicle qualifies for the program.

A car has to be less than 25 yearsold before the trade-in date, have a combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 mpg and be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for a full year before the trade-in.

Owners must take in the vehicle, title and proof of a full year of insurance coverage, and they’re in business. The rebate amount, which depends on the vehicle, will be taken off upon purchase.

“As a taxpayer, if I had (a clunker) and I needed a car, it’d be the time to buy one. It really would be,” said Bill Miles, sales manager for LaGrange Toyota. “Whether it is (a little more paperwork) or whether it’s not, it really doesn’t matter. … I’ll take 100 more of them if they want to bring them in here.”

Trading in gas-guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles, residents have been saving money. Every manufacturers deal, factory incentive and dealer discount still applies alongside the money provided by the government.

For some dealers, the government program has helped up the sale of used cars, including Parkway Mitsubishi.

The program can be used only toward purchasing a new vehicle, but that final price, even with the government rebate, may be out of reach for some customers.

“We probably had another 10 or 15 (customers) come in and buy used cars that didn’t participate,” Robinson said, “but … they would come in talking ‘cash for clunkers.’ “

As much business as the program has brought local dealerships, many are still waiting for their money from the federal government. When shelling out rebates of $3,500 to $4,500 for 20 cars, that cash, somewhere between $70,000 and $90,000, can be sorely missed.

“They’re assuring us that we’re going to get it,” Robinson said. “Hopefully, at some point we will, but we haven’t seen it yet. … We’re hoping and praying we’re going to start getting money coming in.”

In the end, however, it’s a government program meant to put fuel-efficient vehicles in the hands of American drivers. Keeping in mind the lengthy paperwork as well as the rules and regulations of the program, most would say it’s worth it.

Bobby Coile, a salesman for Wood Fruitticher in Birmingham, Ala., spends a lot of time on the road, previously in a Ford F-150.

Traveling to Mike Patton Auto, Coile decided to trade in his Ford for something that would run a little more efficiently no matter the trip. And after a little adjustment from his truck, he feels right at home in his Honda Accord.

“I was tickled to death,” he said. “I was going to try to sell the truck and the best offer I got was $2,000. … Honda had a $1,500 cash incentive. I ended up getting $5,000 on the car.”

The smaller vehicle saves him more on gasoline and insurance.

After checking the Web site to make sure his vehicle qualified, he gave Patton his title and proof he had insurance on the truck for at least a year.

Soon after that, he drove away in his new car.

“It went really well as far as I’m concerned,” Coile said. “I love the Accord.”

Some taxpayers may not think highly of the program, but it has increased interest in the car industry and the environment. Many local dealers are taking part in the program, and it’ll last until Nov. 1 or when the money is exhausted, whichever comes first.

“The best thing this has done for our business is … in my opinion, give people permission to buy cars again,” Robinson said.

Trey Wood can be reached at twood@lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.