The program started late, cost $50 million to administer, crashed computers and ran out of money. All to see people spend money now that they would likely have spent later.

Now, this story says dealers are becoming frustrated that the government hasn't paid them for their deals - so frustrated that some believe it is no longer worth it to participate.

The slow payments coming from the federal government are reinforcing the paradoxical nature of the program for dealers: It has generated the most showroom traffic they have had in months while at the same time heaping unease, frustration and worry onto the industry's worst-ever downturn.

As of the close of business Friday, there was talk in the industry that some dealers are considering pulling out of the clunkers program altogether.

These dealers say they're counting on the money to cover expenses and that paym