A stable-less horse, maybe. The reduced maintenance requirements is the car's primary appeal.
But you are right that a faster horse is exactly what they wanted – just not literally. The words they had to describe what they actually wanted hadn't been invented yet, so they had to fumble around with what was at their disposal.
Which, of course, is the point of the quote: Don't take what people say at face value. Understand what they actually mean.
But you are right that a faster horse is exactly what they wanted – just not literally. The words they had to describe what they actually wanted hadn't been invented yet, so they had to fumble around with what was at their disposal.
Which, of course, is the point of the quote: Don't take what people say at face value. Understand what they actually mean.