Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC, Most-Expensive American Cars of 1990
1990 Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC

To everyone who says cars have gotten too expensive, I say phooey. Cars cost about the same now as they have for decades, inflation adjusted.

Our list of 1990’s priciest American cars makes this point rather nicely. If we include the Cadillac Allante and Chevrolet Corvette, the average base price of the twelve cars seen below is about $35,000. But, if we remove the Caddy and the ‘Vette, the average base price drops to around $31,500. Inflation adjusted for 2018 dollars, $31,500 comes to around $61,000–or about $5000 more than the starting price of a 2018 Cadillac CT6.

If you want to talk crazy, the inflation-adjusted price of the Allante is a stunning $115,000—which seems a little steep in retrospect.

As always, if you’ve ever spent quality time with any of the cars on this list, we’d love to hear about it. The place to leave comments is down below the last car.

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Most-Expensive American Cars of 1990

Corvette ZR-1: $59,495

1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

Curb Weight (pounds): 3465

Engine: 380-horsepower 5.7-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: Standard

 

Cadillac Allante: $57,813

1990 Cadillac Allante
1990 Cadillac Allante

Curb Weight (pounds): 3466

Engine: 200-horsepower 4.5-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: Standard

Price for model with removable hardtop. Price includes $650 Gas Guzzler Tax.

 

Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special: $37,530

1990 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special
1990 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special

Curb Weight (pounds): 3536

Engine: 180-horsepower 4.5-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: Standard

 

Cadillac Seville STS: $36,320

1990 Cadillac Seville STS
1990 Cadillac Seville STS

Curb Weight (pounds): 3480

Engine: 180-horsepower 4.5-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: Standard

 

Buick Reatta Convertible: $35,545

1990 Buick Reatta Convertible
1990 Buick Reatta Convertible

Curb Weight (pounds): 3562

Engine: 165-horsepower 3.8-liter V6

Antilock Brakes: Standard

 

Chrysler TC by Maserati: $33,550

1990 Chrysler's TC by Maserati
1990 Chrysler TC by Maserati

Curb Weight (pounds): 3200

Base Engine: 200-horsepower turbocharged 2.2-liter 4-cylinder

Antilock Brakes: Standard

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Lincoln Town Car Cartier: $32,687

1990 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series
1990 Lincoln Town Car (Signature Series shown)

Curb Weight (pounds): 4025

Engine: 150-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: $936

 

Lincoln Continental Signature Series: $31,731

1990 Lincoln Continental Signature Series
1990 Lincoln Continental Signature Series

Curb Weight (pounds): 3663

Engine: 140-horsepower 3.8-liter V6

Antilock Brakes: Standard

 

Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC: $29,987

1990 Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC
1990 Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC

Curb Weight (pounds): 3779

Engine: 225-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: Standard

 

Cadillac Eldorado: $29,435

1990 Cadillac Eldorado
1990 Cadillac Eldorado

Curb Weight (pounds): 3426

Engine: 180-horsepower 4.5-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: $925

 

Buick Electra Park Avenue Ultra: $28,325

1990 Buick Electra Park Avenue Ultra
1990 Buick Electra Park Avenue Ultra

Curb Weight: 3288

Engine: 165-horsepower 3.8-liter V6

Antilock Brakes: $925

 

Cadillac Brougham: $27,900

1990 Cadillac Brougham
1990 Cadillac Brougham

Curb Weight: 4283

Base Engine: 140-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Antilock Brakes: Standard

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