Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-08
BY L. r. SMITH,
Manager oakIand Motor Compan,


What does it cost to own an automo-
bile in Atlanta or in the suburbs? Many
a man in moderate circumstances has
asked himself this question often, Won
dering whether his salary of $500 to
$4,000 a year would allow him to keep
car. Fabulous yarns OF the fortunes
have given many persons the idea that
nothing short of a million dollars Is
necessary for the ownership Of a car,
and the fear that a machine would eat
up money faster than 1t could be
scraped together has kept hundreds OF
possible machine owners out Of the
field.
Automobile dealers, while acting with
the best of intentions TO disabuse the
public mind of the belief that running
a. car is the most expensive thing in
ff1e world. have gone to the other ex-
creme. Some have made some persons
SSsspticai of the whole subject by as
sorting that their own particular nla-
.ctdne will run 10000 miles on an up
Neep' of only So and $40 or some other
RbSurdly low figure.
They reckon the "upkeep" In YnyB-
seraous manner that the purchaser can
mot fathom. They do not consider
fy8UaEen crank shaft, q broken cylinder
a, smashed wheel, worn bushings or
clutch disc in the "uplIeep." Their
figures include only trivial things, but
enc man who pays out his money con-
ssdars the cost OF gasoline, oil, grease
fires, tubes, tools, renewal Of gas tanks
for lamps or pumping tires storage and
tips 10 the garage tenders-in fact
every largo and small expense inctden-
TAI TO the sport.
Tho Average Man.
The,avsrage man who looks after his
own car-and there are many such
can do It on an expense OF from IS to
$40 a month, according TO the size OF
his automobile and the mileage he COW
ers. A man driving a large car and
giving all his spare time to the sport
can make scarcely more than 1000 to
100 miles a month. His bills Will be
between SIS and s45 q month.
The man with tho small runabout can
cover almost the same distance ct an
expense OF 81 to SIT month, IL he
lives in Tho country, or around $40 to
$50 If he resides in the city. Tho man
who employs a chauffeur viii expend
from $50 TO 800 a month additional
according to the gullibility OF his van
ity TO be able to boast that he pays moro
than 500 IA month for the maintenance
Of his automobile.
A very good touring car 20 carry five
or seven persons can be bought now
adays for from $3.50 10 $1,000. 1t will
have from rs TO 40 horsepower. will be
able to go anywhere, and with normal
care will give good service summer and
winter 1t will be fully equipped with
top. windshield. lamps. lighting system.
tire holders and tool chest--afl ready
FOR the road.
Some Cost More.
Many automobiles cost much more,
but they are outside the touring class,
such as the specially constructed road
ster, the racer or the limousine with its
paistial body and luxuriant finish. The
latter body Will add from $1,000 to
$4,000 TO tho price OF a car. depending
on the taste and the pocketbook OF the
purchaser.
Automobile building has been so sim
rlified, standardized and refined within
the last three years that the general
public knows fairly well what It is buy
ing, and all the argument in the world
will not convince purchasers that $500
20 $500 will buy as good a car as $500
60 $1,000 The cheaper car will give
the service and do almost the Same
work, but II will not possess the finer
details of workmanship and luxury
that is afforded by tho higher priced
cars. The higher grade car Will have
a finer body, stouter wheels, more ex-
pensive material and a higher finish
and its life, as a general proposition.
will be longer.
Taking care of his own car is not
always solely matter OF economy to
the automobilist. The man who trusts
entirely to the chauffeur, frequently
through his own ignorance, skimps his
car. Many times, without knowing that