Types of Automobiles Suitable for Suburban Use 
the mistress for her marketing expedition to the 
village stores, on her visiting rounds among neighbors 
and occasionally into the city on shopping tours ol 
the big stores. 
It is clear that a large touring car with its seats for 
seven persons is not appropriate for such uses, and 
that the roomy and luxurious limousine is equally 
unsuitable. A car of moderate power and medium 
size is most fitting for the requirements. The light 
runabout is used extensively for suburban work and 
has many points in its favor. It is small and 
“handy,” is fitted with a simple engine of eight to 
fifteen horsepower, has a 
speed capacity of fifteen 
to twenty-five miles an 
hour and can be oper¬ 
ated by the owner or his 
wife or son. 
The purchase price 
is low—from ;^6oo to 
^1,200, the most popu¬ 
lar makes selling for 
$650 to $850 — and 
operating and mainten¬ 
ance expenses are light, 
since the minimum of 
fuel and lubricating oil 
is consumed and tbe 
cost of tires and tire re¬ 
pairs is small. The 
light runabout is started 
and stopped with the 
least expenditure of 
energy, responds (|uickly to the steering wheel and 
consequently is least liable to collision with other 
vehicles and pedestrians. It is as safe a machine as 
one can put into the hands of his wife or hoys or of 
a handy man who is hired to take care of the premises 
and drive the car. The small runabout is capable of 
making long runs into the country—has even made 
several transcontinental trips between the Atlantic 
and Pacific coasts—and despite its low power, can 
often get through stretches of bad road on account of 
its light weight that would stall a heavy touring car. 
Granting its undoubted popularity and its many 
advantages as a handy 
vehicle, the runabout 
falls short of being an 
ideal suburban car. Its 
limitations begin with 
its small seating capac¬ 
ity; there are many 
times when it is (juite 
necessary that four or 
five persons be accom¬ 
modated, as when going 
for an evening drive or 
a holiday run into the 
country. Again, it is a 
fair weather machine 
and is ill-suited for com¬ 
fortable driving in dis¬ 
agreeable or very cold 
weather, so that on the 
days when walking to 
the station is least 
The liglit runabout is used extensively for suburban work and 
lias many points in its favor 
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