Thread: Inflation Calculator

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I bought a new Torino GT 390 Fastback in 1968 for ~$2900. That same car would now be costing me $18052.67. My new 1986 Mustang GT was $10065 and now would be $19,894.17. Why does that same basic car at my dealers have a $32K+ sticker. MAYBE this calculator is just plain wrong !!!!

Dave, the reason is that a car built today has $$$ more stuff on it....like A/C, power everything, crash bumpers, air bags, radial tires, longer warranty, safer interiors, etc. Cars
are substantially more today.....

For fun, look up a $450 1932 Ford in today's dollars....as I remember, it is about $7K.

Originally Posted by robot

Dave, the reason is that a car built today has $$$ more stuff on it....like A/C, power everything, crash bumpers, air bags, radial tires, longer warranty, safer interiors, etc. Cars
are substantially more today.....

For fun, look up a $450 1932 Ford in today's dollars....as I remember, it is about $7K.

Yep - I'm well aware of the gov't mandated gadgets and electronics. The simple fact that a calculator, and a financial one at that, can't take all those "contingency factors" into account. I do believe that the calculator is figuring somewhat low, based on today's prices and costs. Most of these are based off the high costs of energy and the trickle (gusher?) down effect. Get me started on that subject and for sure I'll bore everyone to sleep.

Then there was the $295 Ford A roadster - just about the price of an Edelbrock electric choke carb today

Well, that wasn't much fun. I put in $3695.00, the price I paid for a new Honda Civic in 1980, and the inflationary price to day was $9,714.00

For that price, I couldn't even by a used Civic with 100,000 miles on it today.

Obviously, some products are way ahead of inflation.