Affordability is a relative thing. But odds are, if a manufacturer is sharing the price of a product in advertising, the thing being sold is probably a good deal. Of course, in the case of automobiles, the listed base price is subject to any number of asterisks and fine-print notations—especially back in the Eighties, before regulators were paying especially close attention to auto ads.
Still, back in 1983, the cars seen below mostly feel like good deals—especially the close-out-special DeLorean, which, surprisingly, is being sold as an ’83 model, even though production officially wrapped up in 1982.
Peruse the ads below and tell us which of the cars feels like the best deal to you. The place to share comments is down below. Oh, and read the Maxima ad carefully. To us, the car actually seems expensive when adjusted for inflation, but per the text, that Datsun sedan was actually priced below the Cadillac Cimarron. Well, at least a comparably equipped Cimarron—Caddy’s unloved J-Car started at just over $12,000.
Cheap Cars of 1983
Datsun Maxima
Advertised Price: $15,999
Inflation Adjusted: $46,875
DeLorean DMC-12
Advertised Price: $21,007
Inflation Adjusted: $61,550
Dead-Brand Madness: 10 Classic Car Ads from the 80s and 90s
Dodge Ram 50
Advertised Price: $5665
Inflation Adjusted: $16,600
Senior-Year Lust: The 5 Coolest Vehicles of 1983
Dodge/Plymouth Vista
Advertised Price: $8115
Inflation Adjusted: $23,775
Hiding Behind a Familiar Grille: The Captive Imports of 1987
Nissan Pulsar
Advertised Price: $7399
Inflation Adjusted: $21,675
Cheap Wheels: 1987-88 Nissan Pulsar NX SportBak
Renault Alliance
Advertised Price: $5695
Inflation Adjusted: $16,675
Unsettling Transition: The 1988 Eagle Lineup
Nissan Sentra
Advertised Price: $4949
Inflation Adjusted: $14,000
Dodge Charger
Advertised Price: $6379-$8290
Inflation Adjusted: $19,700-$24,300
Rand Road Revisited: A Used Car Dealer Gallery
Hyundai Pony
Advertised Price: $6395 Can. ($5050 U.S.)
Inflation Adjusted: $14,800
Canadian Confusion: GM’s Short-Lived Passport Dealerships
Suzuki Alto
Advertised Price: £3250 ($4950)
Inflation Adjusted: $14,500
American Suzuki Files for Bankruptcy; Will End Car Sales in the U.S.
Toyota Tercel
Advertised Price: $4998
Inflation Adjusted: $14,650
Check out the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast
Cheap Cars of 1983 Gallery
(Click below for enlarged images)
