So if we are going to compare prices of then and now, we should look at miles traveled to and from work, vacation, running around for errands then and now; should also compare wages then and now and which vehicle is a better deal then and now, cost of repair of same vehicle then and now, i.e. cost of alternator, water pump, wheel bearings, general maintenance. Vehicles were simple work on back then and folks had the time to do a lot of the work themselves. Some folks have the ability to fix some of the issues, but do folks have the time and energy as back then. Computers and sensors have really driven up the cost of fixing vehicles. Also we travel longer and further for the above said activities generally speaking. Short distance driving is much harder on vehicles than longer distance driving.