The Washington herald., 1922-01-01
USED CAR MARKET
OFFERS BARGAINS
TO AVERAGE MAN
Gives Sound Advice t,
Prospective Buyers on
Different Types.

Under present market conditlons,
It is we'll worth the while of the
man of average means to investi-
gate the used car market before
deciding on the purchase of a car.
With the prices of new cars fall
ing off rapidly, there is not the
slightest wonder that the bottom
has actually dropped out of the
used car market and that there are
many bargains to- be picked up at
Most folks, have a horror of buy
ing a used car. The thought Is
continually before them that they
will be disappointed, cheated or
"gypped." in modern motoring par
lance. But with the exercise of a
little care and judgment and a
generous display of horse sense,
the average man will find that he
can get a better buy for $1,000 in
the used car market and better re-
suits from the car he has bought
than he can possibly obtain in the
new car field, despite the recent
price cuts.
sensible. logical, systematic. bust
ness-like way. You cannot afford
to be fooled into buying ANY old
thing" just because the price ap-
pears low. That would be fool
hardy.
Make up your mind about the
type of car you want II you can
afford to operate heavy car,
good: a closed car or a sedan,
it makes no difference-but get set
in your mind just about the type
and weight of car you feel you can
afford to pay the running costs on.
Then begins the process of eiimi-
nation. There are probably lots of
makers producing just the type of
car you have set your heart on
and II Is necessary to make a de-
cision which will eliminate the
larger number and concentrate your
attention on several particular
makes.
The best way to make this de-
cision. Is to study closely the used
car market. The dealers associa-
ton in Chicago gets out a price
guide giving all the fluctuations in
the prices of used cars, model by
model, make by make; and a sim
liar market report is published
weekly by the dealers association
of New York. Obviously, such a
guide would be of the greatest
value in helping you TO make your
decision
For cars are much like other
commodities. You will find that
regardless of the state of the mar
ket, the used car values Of the
better makes. the cars that are
well put together and Of lasting
value, will hold up--these are the
cars which have stood the test Ci
public opinion. YoI probably will
| find one or two Of this better class
of car offered in models which sui,
your taste and at a price which
suits your pocketbook.
1t will not be possible, of course
for many folks to obtain one OF
these guides: but a line on the
relative values of the cars offered
can generally be gathered by taxi
ing the automobile section of any
one of the large city newspapers
Sunday edition, and scanning the
car ads with an eagle eye.
II is not well. unless you are
willing and prepared to put a little
into the repair of your purchase. to
consider buying a car that is more
than two years old. And do not
take the sellers word for the year
and model. Get the car number
and call up the nearest distributor
and ask him to verify 1t.
The chances of being stuck on a
car of good. substantial make and
reputation which is only two years
old are slight, unless the car ha:
, met with an accident and has beer
| fixed up just for selling, or unless
the car has been very carelessly
operated to the extent that ex.
tended and detrimental wear ha:
taken place. Either of these condi.
tons can quickly be brought tc
| light by a careful inspection. To
make such an inspection, proceed
as follows:
First-Look into the radiator oil
| draw off some of the water through
the drain plug and see II there i.
| any radiator compound in the cool
| ing system.
This is the best test for a cal
which has beer in an accident 81
which has been allowed to freez'
| up during the winter weather
without permanent repairs havine
been made. The presence of the
radiator compound indicates that
there is some serious leak some
where in the system. 1t may b,
in the radiator or it may be 6
cracked water jacket casting, bu
at any rate it would scarcely b.
| advisabl to purchase such a cal
unless the presence of the com.
pound can be explained to YOU
| full satisfaction.
Second-Jack up one of the real
wheels, engage low gear, releas,
the brake and by turning tn,
raised wheel first one way and ther
the other the amount of play in the
| drive system can be determined
This is the best way of determin
ing with what degree of care tn,
car has been treated and the ap'
| proximate mileage 1t has covered
The wheel shauld have some play
say maximum of between thre,
and five inches for a two-year-olC
secondhand car which has beer
! treated with rea.Nnable care. Wher
the play amounts to more thar
this, 1t is well to look elsewher,
| regardless of the reading given h,