There are few emotional influences more powerful than nostalgia. To hear my mother tell it, for example, everything was better in the old country. Given the fact that mom’s childhood home lacked electricity, indoor plumbing, and access to Netflix, I’m pretty sure the fog of time is clouding her judgement somewhat.
But we all succumb to the enticing lure of better times—and more affordable times. Cars, for example, seem awfully expensive today. The average transaction price of a new vehicle is now just under $37,000, which certainly seems like a lot of money. But is it really?
We have to go back about 30 years to find cars that could still be modestly equipped for under $4000. At that price, one could expect a car with an automatic transmission, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio—not much else. The question is, did those cars actually represent good value?
We will leave that determination up to you, but we’ll help you with the math. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $1.00 in 1980 would cost $3.29 today. That means that gasoline in 1980, which averaged $1.19 that year, would cost about $3.90 in 2019. Which, actually, feels about right—and means we’re paying a little less for fuel, inflation adjusted, than we did when Ronald Reagan was elected president for the first time.
Below are the five least-expensive American cars of 1980, each presented with basic optional equipment and an inflation-adjusted 2019 price. Let us know if you think these cars were good deals.
For comparison, we went to the Chevrolet website and built the least-expensive Spark (Chevy’s entry-level subcompact hatchback) we could, equipped with an automatic transmission. That car came to $15,195 before incentives. The place to leave comments is at the bottom of the page.
10 Most-Expensive American Sedans of 1980
Cheapest American Cars of 1980
1980 Chevrolet Chevette: $15,713
Base price: $3782 (Scooter)
Automatic transmission: $320
Air conditioning: $531
AM/FM radio: $143
Total: $4776
Inflation-adjusted price: $15,713
Ford Pinto: $15,805
Base price: $3781 (Pony 2-door hatchback)
Automatic transmission: $340
Air conditioning: $538
AM/FM radio: $145
Total: $4804
Inflation-adjusted price: $15,805
Model-Year Madness! 10 Classic Ads From 1980
Mercury Bobcat: $16,740
Base price: $4217 (Runabout)
Automatic transmission: $314
Air conditioning: $495
AM/FM radio: $62
Total: $5088
Inflation-adjusted price: $16,740
Review Flashback! 1980 Toyota Cressida Wagon
Chevrolet Monza: $17,069
Base price: $4184 (2-door coupe)
Automatic transmission: $320
Air conditioning: $531
AM/FM radio: $153
Total: $5188
Inflation-adjusted price: $17,069
Diesel Doldrums: The 7 Slowest Cars of 1980*
AMC Spirit: $17,259
Base price: $4193 (2-door sedan)
Automatic transmission: $305
Air conditioning: $529
AM/FM radio: $219
Total: $5246
Inflation-adjusted price: $17,259
Review Flashback! 1980 AMC Eagle
Cheapest American Cars of 1980
