Well, the car price is boosted up significantly. I started doing my research at the end of June and has to wait until the end of this month for my car qualify for CFC (one year registration). During this period, sale price of several cars I have been watching
increased a lot:
2009 Hyundai sonata GLS 4cyl 5A, $16500 before, now at least $18000
2009 Hyundai elantra touring, automatic, around 16.5K before, now around 18K.
Since I can sell my clunker easily at 2500 (1999 cherkee 4WD, 6cyl, auto, 115K), I did not see the point to buy a new car at inflated price to take advantage of government $3500/4500. When CFC ends, I bet the demand for new car will shrink and deeper discount on new car is quite possible.