The San Francisco call., 1909-02-21
NEW AUTOMOBILES
WINNING ATTENTION
Motor Cars of Recent ManufaC-
ture Have Attractive
Features
BUYERS Cease TO Consider the
Name, but Look Into
Qualities
By K. r. PHommedieu

By x. X. PHOn1medieu
=. The buying season Of automobiles is
now at hand. for there are but few
who feel that the extreme wet season
now being experienced is likely to last
much longer. With the coming of sun
shine dealers and purchasers of auto
mobiles viii take up demonstrations
On one side to show the advancement
and perfections OF the product they
are handling. and on the other TO see
what is the best value that can be OBJ
tained for the money Never before
since the automobile came into eN-
fstence has the buyer been able to OBJ
tain such money valnes in motor cars
as are offered today. A couple of
years or so ago the conservative buyer
restricted his purchases to a few well
known makes. preferring not 10 take a
chance in buying an unknown car. The
lack OF a thorough mechanical knowl-
edge Of an automobile is responsible to
a certain extent for this. And the ex-
perience of some who were braver than
the others tended 70 prove that the
conservative buyer had Jared better.
The conditions that existed at that
time have changed.
The successful designing and build
ing Of automobiles were restricted to
the pioneers, but with the producing
Of these cars those who help build
them have received the benefits of the
experience Of the pioneers. and added
10 the adaptability OF the American
h
Just as competent TO design and build
automobiles as may be claimed for the
older men in the industry.
Therefore. IT is feasible to believe the
statements made by some Of the manu-
facturers Of popular priced cars that
they are producing vehicles that will
stand up TO the work guaranteed by
makers Of more expensive motor cars.
The designing and manufacturing of
automobiles has so far advanced that
the generally accepted principles of
different makers vary but little from
one great standard. With these facts
in mind but one deduction is TO be
made. and that is that the only reason
for the difference in price is the size
OF cars and the finish
The cheap car honestly built viii
live as long as a more expensive car,
when its life is computed by the miles
travelled. The cheaper car may not
be as easy riding a vehicle inasmuch
as ii is not built with what might be
claimed as accessories TO produce such
an effect yet il viii go and cover
ground with as much certainty as a
higher priced car.
The higher priced vehicle has its ad-
Vsntages in comfort and appointments
that cater 10 the man that can afford
them. The high priced car holds its
place in the industry which will never
be disturbed. Just as the Pullman pal
ace car holds its position in railroad
travel To say that a car is unknown
means to acknowledge on the part of
one a lack of learning concerning what
has come TO be considered the accept
ed mode Of conveyance on the high
ways Of the world.
That many OF the new cars seen on
the Pacific coast for the first time this
season should be passed up for the
reason Of their unknown quality seems
10 point TO a lack of appreciation of
the condition Of affairs.
On a line with this thought is the
condemnation of some makes Of auto
mobiles which have been pioneers in
the industry. The presence of some
Of the earlier models grinding out at a
slow pace as compared with the cars
Of today has done more to hinder the
popularity Of the make than if they
had been production of today. To the
wise automobile buyer the presence OF
these old cars should be a point for
honest consideration. The fact that
they are still running and can be used
shows that the original principles must
be right. And II the companies that
manufacture them are still in existence
showing progressiveness and increased
factory facilities. turning out larger
production each year. il must prove
that those who have bought earlier
models have received their money
worth and are returning TO purchase
later and more improved models. The
man that buys car because its name
is popular banked on past performances
without due regard TO what is being
produced today. will find in some cases
that he is paying a premium for that
name. In the case Of man who is
blessed with that amoun< of worldly
goods that makes it possible for him
10 purchase automobiles. in numbers
10 suit his fancy, these words viii not
appeal But to the businessman
whether rich or poor, who, in justice
TO himself and mankind. demands value
received. such thoughts as these must
bring TO him when purchasing an au-
tomobile a consideration for every car
on the market of the particular price
which he wishes TO expend when he
buys.