Too good an idea, apparently

The Los Angeles Times has an article by Martin Zimmerman and Tiffany Hsu and Jim Puzzanghera about the all-too-successful CARS program:

With surprising swiftness, the government's "cash for clunkers" program has burned through its $1-billion budget in less than a week as car buyers swarmed dealerships, and federal officials were scrambling late Thursday night to find more money to keep it going. The program, designed to jump-start car sales and improve the fuel efficiency of the nation's auto fleet, unleashed a wave of pent-up demand that threatened to exhaust funds before dealers could be fully reimbursed for rebates under the plan.

Rico says he has a qualified vehicle, but didn't take advantage of the program; maybe they'll come up with more money by the time he needs it...