Another thing to think about is the cost of ownership of an older vehicle with proper maintained an average fuel millage thats paid off to a new higher fuel millage + financing costs plus full coverage insurance. Only if you go from a large gas hog to a small hybrid and fuel prices go back to where they were a year ago it might be feasible to change.

If your going to a similar size/type and the age is not that different then the cost of new would be more that of the old over the same time of ownership for the financing period.

The Cash for Clunkers is just a government subsidy to the auto manf. and banks to get people to go in debt buying autos.

What kind of program is that? Non of my vehicles even show up in the choices.

Not that it matters the scrap yard is typically the next owner after me! I prefer By the pound pricing when cashing in my old vehicles.