The Washington times., 1931-01-28
DEPRECIATION
LARGEST ITEM
Of AUTO
BY J. LEO sUGRUE
Times Automobile Editor

Methods Of cutting the cost OF
operating automobiles have been
greatly augmented by the knowl-
edge that depreciation, the largest
item in the motorists expense
account, can be reduced mate
rally by greater wisdom in car
selection and care, according to
manufacturers, dealers and motor.
lists who realize the fact that
an important matter in any
owners mind is the resale value.
Reduced to the fewest number
of words. the plan is to econo-
mize on depreciation. The motor
ing public, always severely criti-
cised for assisting in the depre.
citation Of it's cars, is coming to
the conclusion that depreciation
Is an operating expense just like
rubber, oil and gas, and that it
can be reduced through econo-
mics similar to those employed
In cutting the other recognized
costs.
The main thought in the mind
Of every buyer today is, What
will I get for the car I'm going
to buy when I bring it to the
used car market-as I eventually
will?" This thought Is now being
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ton on the part of thoughtful
motorists to put into immediate
practice certain effective econo-
mics in depreciation.
Appearance Important
They are buying with a full
understanding of the fact that
the appearance of any article is
one OF the greatest factors in the
desire to own. Thus, they are
paying increasing attention to
this phase.
In effecting economies in the
depreciation items, careful motor
lists are reaching some interesting
conclusions. In keeping an eye
on the used car market it is GUS
tomary to assume that the type
OF person in the market for
ones car favors a make that is
represented in every town and for
which parts are readily obtained.
But this assumption does not ap-
ply in all instances, otherwise
there would be excessive depre-
citation facing the man who now
buys car produced by small
production factory.
It is accordingly coming to be
recognized that there is not
merely a general used car mar
ket, but a number of individual
markets as well. There is the
market, for example, for the
small car, another for the sports
type, and another for the car
that can supplement a high
grade family car. There is a
market also for the limousine,
maintained largely by the private
taxi and livery interests.
Purchase Date Wanted
The date Of purchase is an
other important factor, and here
again it is being noted that the
process is individual rather than
general. At one time in the his
tory of motordom yearly depre-
citation dated from the first day
of the calendar year, usually at
national automobile show time,
but that situation has changed
materially. It perhaps is truer to
say that the depreciation date
comes at midsummer. but it most
emphatically does not apply to
all makes of cars.
For those makes Of cars which
are improved by degrees rather
than at stated intervals, the cal
endar year more nearly regulates
the yearly depreciation, though
there is much to cornplicate this
by reason of the premature offer
ing of new models by many manu-"
facturers. In problems Of this
sort motorists must be guided
largely by the caliber Of the
structural changes made by the
manufacturer at the release
dates.
While good care Is perhaps the
greatest single economy in the
depreciation expense, it is very
closely followed by proper driving.
The best of lubricating will not
make a car immune TO actual de-
probation through wear If it is
carelessly or unintelligently driven:
Thousands of car owners are
throwing money away, for in
stance, by letting in the clutch
suddenly upon starting. Sudden
application of brakes will lessen
the quiet life of car bodies, and
careless gear shifting is taking
value out of many cars.
Productivity Factor
The matter of productivity, also
q factor in depreciation economy,
is relatively unknown, yet it Is
obvious. If a motorist obtains
more than the average use Of
his car, he can afford to sacrifice
more in the way of depreciation,
although the facts usually show
that he does not have to make
any such sacrifice.
A car that Is traded in or sold
on the open market after deliver
ing 10000 miles in one year will
bring as much as car that has
delivered only 10000 miles. asSum-
ing that the excessively used car
has been well cared for. There are
many buyers who look with sus-
picion upon the car that is offered
for sale with a low mileage.