I think the use of “clunkers” is dumb. Isn’t the idea of the program to get more fuel efficient vehicles on the road? Those being traded in aren’t necessarily “clunkers” as much as they are fuel-inefficient. Picking over for parts won’t help with fuel economy.
More like Cash-for-Fuel-Inefficient-Vehicles. Or more like Cash-For-A-Vehicle-That-Isn’t-Necessarily-Efficient-But-Is-At-Least-More-Effecient-Than-The-One-We’re-Giving-You-Money-For (or CFAVTINEBIALMETTOWGYMF for short).