Richard had configured his ideal Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (burgundy, with Sirius, a hard top and 4WD) on Jeep.com and assumed, incorrectly it turns out, that the price quoted ($24,000) would be the price he'd pay at a dealership. Upon visiting Zanetti Chrysler Jeep Dodge in the Bronx, he was told financing would result in a better deal, then, after much runaround, quoted $31,732 for the privilege.

Giving up, he turned to White Plains Chrysler Jeep Dodge, which told him they didn't want cash, as they no longer needed it. Instead, they wanted him to take financing. For $28,300. They also attempted to charge him extra for sourcing the correct color vehicle.

Richard has yet to purchase a vehicle, despite the $25,000 burning a visceral hole in his pocket. Instead, he's set up a website, offering the money to anyone prepared to sell him the Jeep he wants. Is this really what it takes to buy a car in a recession?

Keep in mind there's a difference between automakers and auto dealers. Auto dealers are separate companies, holding no relationship to the automakers other than they sell their products. Automakers aren't even able to penalize bad dealers thanks to state franchise laws. So don't let bad dealer experiences influence your perception of an automaker because I'll guarantee you'll find craptastic dealers for every automaker - especially in the greater New York area. This place has some seriously terrible dealerships.

That being said, Chrysler still sucks, but for vastly different reasons. [My Efforts to Stimulate the Economy via Consumerist]

Since it seems like half of the punditocracy, Republicans in Congress and every anti-car hippie with a blog seems to be interested, even giddy, at the prospect of a couple of the not-so-Big Three going under, we thought we'd try to put a little perspective on just what that means. It's easy for people to say "Detroit" deserves to fail, but it's not really just Detroit that would fail, it's pretty much the entire Midwest. We've put together a Google Maps overlay of all US manufacturing facilities currently in operation by one of the big three. Peruse at your leisure, then imagine all of those factories across the US empty and silent.

View Larger Map

This flies directly in the face of GM CEO Rick Wagoner's past comments that a bankruptcy would mean liquidation because customers would refuse to buy cars from a company that might not be able to back warranties or supply parts. Our sources, whether from inside the General or from the outside, have given us similar arguments in the past.

That hasn't stopped staff for three members of Congress, who've asked restructuring experts if a pre-arranged bankruptcy — negotiated with workers, creditors and lenders — could be used to reorganize the industry without liquidation.

But it's not just the congressional committees at work here. According to another source, a representative of Obama’s team contacted at least one bankruptcy-law firm to say Daniel Tarullo, a professor at Georgetown University’s law school who heads Obama’s economic policy working group, would call to discuss the workings of a so-called prepack, according to this person.

But don't expect anything on this to come out of this week's hearings as we're also told

"Negotiations are splintered among small groups, making it unlikely a proposed solution such as bankruptcy would emerge until next week at the earliest..."

We'll obviously continue to be all over this story like a fat kid on cake. Stay tuned throughout the day to our "Carpocalypse Now" tag today as we bring you the latest news from D.C.

[Bloomberg]

Jalopnik Snap Judgement: While the initial flavor of this campaign is tacky, it might prove to be a good move after all. GM still has a fairly rabid customer base that hopes to be driving The General's products in the future and this is a way they can secure that dream. Raising customer awareness of current pressing issues while garnering support for near-zero dollars? GM doesn't have that many options left. Anyone who bought a Chevy Equinox when there are, possibly, millions of better cars out there certainly wants to stick by the General.

Here's the email in full:

Dear (name removed),

You made the right choice when you put your confidence in General Motors, and we appreciate your past support. I want to assure you that we are making our best vehicles ever, and we have exciting plans for the future. But we need your help now. Simply put, we need you to join us to let Congress know that a bridge loan to help U.S. automakers also helps strengthen the U.S. economy and preserve millions of American jobs.

Despite what you may be hearing, we are not asking Congress for a bailout but rather a loan that will be repaid.

The U.S. economy is at a crossroads due to the worldwide credit crisis, and all Americans are feeling the effects of the worst economic downturn in 75 years. Despite our successful efforts to restructure, reduce costs and enhance liquidity, U.S. auto sales rely on access to credit, which is all but frozen through traditional channels.

The consequences of the domestic auto industry collapsing would far exceed the $25 billion loan needed to bridge the current crisis. According to a recent study by the Center for Automotive Research:

• One in 10 American jobs depends on U.S. automakers
• Nearly 3 million jobs are at immediate risk
• U.S. personal income could be reduced by $150 billion
• The tax revenue lost over 3 years would be more than $156 billion

Discussions are now underway in Washington, D.C., concerning loans to support U.S. carmakers. I am asking for your support in this vital effort by contacting your state representatives.

Please take a few minutes to go to www.gmfactsandfiction.com, where we have made it easy for you to contact your U.S. senators and representatives. Just click on the "I'm a Concerned American" link under the "Mobilize Now" section, and enter your name and ZIP code to send a personalized e-mail stating your support for the U.S. automotive industry.

Let me assure you that General Motors has made dramatic improvements over the last 10 years. In fact, we are leading the industry with award-winning vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave, Pontiac G8, GMC Acadia, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Saturn AURA and more. We offer 18 models with an EPA estimated 30 MPG highway or better — more than Toyota or Honda. GM has 6 hybrids in market and 3 more by mid-2009. GM has closed the quality gap with the imports, and today we are putting our best quality vehicles on the road.

Please share this information with friends and family using the link on the site.

Thank you for helping keep our economy viable.

Sincerely,

Troy Clarke

Thanks for the tip, Jeff!

According to the NY Times, the President would consider signing a stimulus package and help out the auto industry if Obama dropped his opposition to a free-trade agreement with Colombia. Maybe.

Mr. Bush indicated at the meeting that he might support some aid and a broader economic stimulus package if Mr. Obama and Congressional Democrats dropped their opposition to a free-trade agreement with Colombia, a measure for which Mr. Bush has long fought, people familiar with the discussion said.

The Bush administration, which has presided over a major intervention in the financial industry, has balked at allowing the automakers to tap into the $700 billion bailout fund, despite warnings last week that General Motors might not survive the year.

Conflicting reports have emerged, something that happens when you have two press corps — one following the President-current and one following the President-elect — but MSNBC is reporting that Bush has been friendlier to an automaker bailout. More information as we get it.

[Source: MSNBC]

US Representative John Dingell of Dearborn, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said, "It appears that DOE is making excuses for its own anticipated failures. If DOE is asking for vigorous oversight to ensure it performs its duties, we will be happy to oblige." Snap!

As it turns out, though, Dingell has a basis for frustration. The Detroit News also reports that the loan program was authorized in the Energy Act passed in December 2007, but the Energy Department didn't begin writing the regulations until late August. Additionally, DOE has yet to provide any funds for a $2 billion advanced energy program approved in 2005, despite picking 26 finalists almost a year ago. Your government at work, folks: Filling out forms in triplicate while automakers wait for funding that's already been approved. [Detroit News; Photo Credit: AP]

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: While we'd rather see the Detroit Three stay afloat on their own, government-backed low-interest loans, properly repaid in a timely fashion, seem to be about the next best option. Particularly when said loans are viewed in the light of subsidies and other assistance quietly offered to foreign automakers by their home governments. And, technically, these government loans would also be available to non-US manufacturers, though most are expected to decline the assistance.

We do think that the automakers are going to have to be more honest about what they're asking for: Said Ford's Mark Fields, "This is not about benefiting Wall Street. This is benefiting Main Street, the working men and women. The auto industry is part of the backbone of the U.S. economy." We take issue with two of Fields' inferences: First, that Wall Street isn't part of the backbone of the US economy — it is, like it or not. And second, that a series of government-funded loans benefiting "Main Street" somehow isn't a bailout. It doesn't matter who reaps the benefits; if the gub'ment pumps a bunch of money into an industry to keep it afloat despite market conditions, it's a bailout. [Yahoo; Photo: Markfive]