This week the North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year were announced. The Car of the Year is the Hyundai Genesis and the Truck of the Year is the Ford F-150.

What’s it mean to you, the used car buyer? Higher prices for both models when they start showing up on the used car market. Automotive Lease Guide has already said the Genesis will be worth 50% of its value in three years time. Automotive Lease Guide has also said the F150 will have the best residual value in the full-size pickup market.

And that’s before they picked up the awards. The first used Genesis models should start showing up in June. Give the F-150 until the end of the year.

What do you think? Did the judges make the right decision? Comment below.

Photo © Hyundai

Frankly, I’d rather have Barack Obama’s new ride but there are people in the world apparently willing to spend more than $100,000 on his used 2004 Chrysler 300C. It’s listed on eBay motors with a Buy It Now price of $1 million. Of course, that has resulted in some Yabo putting in a bid for $70 million.

By the way, I’m still trying to find out if his 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee ever sold. An Illinois woman was trying to sell it three to four times its trade-in value for as I first reported back in August. I’m hoping to track her down to see if she had any luck.

So, does it make sense to bid $100,000 on a used Chrysler 300C once owned by Barack Obama? Maybe, maybe not, but as always, your opinion is welcomed and encouraged. Comment below.

Photo illustration by Keith Griffin – image © Chrysler

For 2009, I have resolved to dust off “The Used Car Comment of the Week.” One of the things I have enjoyed in my eight months as your guide is the expert advice I get from the readers. I have no pretensions of knowing all the answers, which is why I like to highlight good advice from you.

Sometimes I just like to read what you have to say. pupdaddy usually has something good to say and can be found all over the used car forum. Here’s one comment from a blog I wrote about the Ford Five Hundred being a great deal for used cars.

Andy S is another regular writer. He, too, commented on the Ford Five Hundred, but he’s also commented on other things like a mysterious eBay blog posting that caught my eye. His comment really added to the discussion.

My hat is off to Andy S and pupdaddy and all of you who add so much to this website. Happy 2009 to all of you – and make me stick to my resolution to honor your comments every week! Add your comments below if you want to join the discussion.

Photo © Getty Images

Let me borrow liberally from a news release from the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association:

“SEMA … is actively opposing an effort by some Congressional lawmakers to include a nationwide “Cash for Clunkers” program in the economic stimulus package currently being considered in Washington. Cash for Clunkers, or scrappage as it is more commonly known, would use taxpayer dollars to purchase and crush older vehicles into blocks of scrap metal. There is no evidence that the program will achieve the goal of boosting new car sales.”

The reason I think this bill should be defeated (as does SEMA) is it takes potentially affordable vehicles away from low-income people. Plus, it’s just plain silly to think all cars are alike and that old cars are all dirty cars (again a point put forth by SEMA that I agree with).

I don’t typically use this site for grassroots efforts, but I think you should contact your U.S. representative or senator if so inclined. You can contact House members here and members of the Senate here

SEMA has developed an “Urgent Action Alert” about the issue that can help you draft a letter to your representatives in Washington.

If you don’t want to write to Washington, drop me a note here and share your thoughts. As always (and some of you are more than willing to) let me know if I’m off base in my thinking!

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images