Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
BUYINGCARS ATSECOND HAND
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machinery that cannot be spotted" other
wise, one end of the tube being applied
to the ear and the other moved about
over the suspected sources of the noise.
Ignition troubles or difficult starting
should not impress the intending purchaser
Sc unfavorably as they generally do. A
secondhand car often wants rewriting,
which is not an expensive job. A car
may often run ideally on It's trial trip, and
yet be in the final state of the d~eacon's
famous "one-hoss shay Neither should
paint nor upholstery lead the locker after
a bargain astray; they are cheap when
compared to engineers work.
Loose Steering Gear.
Looseness in the steering should be looked
for, especially In the steering pivots, which.
usually having no adjustment, will give
some indication of the wear the car has
had, unless, of course, It is so old that
they have had to be replaced or ~rebushed.
The amount OF play i'm the steering wheel
is easily tested and located whether in
the worm or other gear at base of steer,
ing post (where II is often adjustable) or
I'm other joints OF the connections. Right
here It is timely to observe tina an auto
mobile has one notable advantage over a
horse, insomuch that the unwary pur-
chaser is hardly likely to be saddled with
a purchase that is absolutely worthless;
but he win, however, do we'll to consider
carefully the probable necessary replace
ments his car may require, even assuming
II to be generally in fair order.
In conclusion a few final remarks may
be added, some of which may seem almost
supererogatory, though founded on actual
cases that have come under my observa-
ton, Secondhand cars OF little known
makers should be carefully avoided. They
may have been experiments or failures
With the production % the really first
class and established makers the our.
chaser will be generally safe, but let him
satisfy himself Of the date and type Of the
car. Occasionally an early and an i'm.
proved pattern have little apparent diff
ference in appearance, at least to the
novice. who will pay dear for his lack OF
discernment later on. There are a large
number OF good, though not big, concerns
who turn out satisfactory cars a.
the present time. II does not follow
however. that their earlier productions
would be worth purchasing; in fact, il
many cases they were rubbish. Light and
cheap cars are TO be escheWed. unles,
they are nearly new; on the other hand
some of the old and slow cars, both cheaI
and otherwise, may do very good service
in the hands Of purchasers who wan
something at a very low price, and VIII,
do not demand speed. Good value from Z
practical point OF view may thus often b,
obtained from an obsolete pattern OF car
but It is advisable TO find out what ar
the chances Of getting any necessary part
for the car before. you part with you
money for 1t. since II these have to b.
specially made, they are apt to be ex
pensive.
AS a rule the purchase OF a weli-mad,
secondhand car that has had, say, les
than a years wear I'm careful hands, is
wise proceeding for a beginner. but h
must Expect TO pay a fair price for II
the search for a real bargain" needs 4