USED CAR BUYING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 256, 26 July 1935, Page 15

USED CAR BUYING

Now is the Time to Make Your Choice

Obviously the new ear business and tlie used ear business are related. They are interdependent, and because they are the used car market has a special significance for the prudent prospective buyer at the present time and for the next week or two.

Those who intend to take to the open road this summer and know the joys of transport ownership with its freedom of the countryside and its attractions in camping, touring and picnicking do not wait until tlie inevitable rush sets in for bargains. 'I he used ear bargains are entering into ehanged ownership now.

To-day prices are keenly competitive in the used car market because of supply. Assuredly, with tlie increased demand for early summer there will be a marked hardening in prices, with the big risk that the plum you wanted is gone. The choice will be limited. H happens every year.

Used ear prices have never been lower, nor has used car quality ever been higher than it is to-day.

Why? Supply and demand have much to do with price.

So far as quality is concerned, the influence of new car sales is vital, ami what is the story of new car sales?

As pointed out in “Motordom” last week, there were 7219 new motor vehicles sold in the Dominion in the six months of this year ended on June 30. That is the highest figure in the trade since 1930. being 3595 units greater than in 1934; 5528 units greater than in 1933; 5355 units greater than in 1932; and 3(>29 greater than in 1931. That means a much greater value of trade-ins. It indicates a tendency to change ears readily so that the vehicles traded in have done smaller mileages than formerly. The vehicles traded in are loss road worn; engines, tires, brakes, batteries, in fact all the component parts are in better order than they would be otherwise. In short, the general quality of the units in the used car market is higher. “The Dominion” advertising columns are the clearing house for the used catbuyer and seller of city, town and country. Motor firms in Wellington report steadily increasing inquiries from the country for used ears, and in many instances buyers have travelled long distances to buy in Wellington. Recently a man called at a used car firm's office at about 1 p.m. on a Saturday. He had come from Palmerston North. He had seen the car he wanted mentioned in “The Dominion.” He was given a demonstration and drove the car back to Palmerston North in the afternoon.