Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26
SHREWD MOTORISTS BELIEVE
FALL is BEST BUYING SEASON

Shrew motorists who have learned
from experience that the Autumn Is
the most logical season for buying a
new car are among the many now look
ing over the latest models with view
to immediate purchase, 1t Is pointed
out by observers who 60 beyond cold
statistics to an analysis Of who's who
in buying. The value seekers are re-
ported to be particularly active.
In the Spring a young mans fancy
may turn to sparkling new automobiles,
but In the Fall, records show, the cool,
calm and collected shoppers concen-
even newer and invariably better cars.
Depreciation Lessened.
Model depreciation, that intangible
yet most painful item of cost to the
automobiles, Is greatly lessened through
the purchase of new models while they
are new. Since the early part of July
new versions of popular makes have
been coming on the market. This year S
Fall buyer enjoys additional advantages
in lower prices, easier terms and greatly
improved cars. Manufacturers have
had more opportunity to fashion their
latest models expertly and greater care
has been taken in their assembling.
A greater tendency toward purchaS-
ing automobiles from @ businesslike
standpoint is expected to contribute to
the quota of Fall sales this year. Peo-
pie who learned that the melon crop
was not a dependable source of income
have stopped, looked and listened to
reason, with the result that they now
recognize the absurdity Of paying for a
lot of depreciation on q car which,
while technically new, Is outmoded by
q newly released model.
Some economists believed that @ sur
prisingly large amount of sales reduc-
ton curing the first six months of the
years is q direct result of the more
provident motorists decision to await
the Fall editions of cars before signing
more than ever before manufacturers
took cognizance of the superiority of
Fall buying through discounting their
new cars of series about to be super
seeded. Many equally shrewd buyers who
were not interested in possessing the
very latest model, provided they did not
have to pay for excessive depreciation,
came into possession Of new cars during
the Summer.
Not all cars are released in new YER
sion in the Fall. and those who are in
terested in particular makes are wisely
following the plan Of taking into ac-
count their own specialized buying, but
the general policy of the industry is to
start releasing new models from July !
straight through to the following jan
uary national automobile shows. Amy
purchase made In this period nets the
buyer an advantage In lessened model
depreciation, not considering the pleas
ure and prtds Ia possessing the very
latest.
Double Gains Claimed.
Those who use pencil and paper in
the purchasing process. instead of re-
sorting to their emotions. also find that
because they have used the old car over
the Summer months they have made a
double gain. The old car in many in
stances proved to have been far more
Serviceable than anticipated. 1t gave a
lot of additional mileage without suffer-
ing collapse. If 1t needed q few new
tires these were obtainable at rock bot
tom prices. What service it required
was administered efficiently and mex
pensively by well-equipped service sta
tons. In addition. the owner has found
that he has saved several months use
of his new car Of which he is just now
taking delivery.
1t Is true that an old car traded In
now cannot be expected 10 bring as