In 1971 I purchase a new swinger. 225/904 a/c, rear defogger, map light, full wheel covers, PS, PDB, am radio, vinyl roof, vinyl interior, white side wall tires, 2 way mirror, etc.
The sticker price of the car was $2989.00, the purchase price purchase price of the new car back then (tax/tag/and title) was $2717.51. I put $200 down on the car, and my monthly payments for 36 months we $74.50. The cost of the loan and the down payment totaled $2954.00 paid out.
A new Dodge B200 Tradesman van. 318/727/9 3/4", 127" wheel base, power steering, power disc brakes, a/c, am/fm/cassette, glove compartment door, glove compartment light, passenger seat, passenger sun visor, black interior trim, 6100 lbs GVW package, H78-15 tires, spare wheel, full size spare tire, chrome bumpers, full head liner, front and rear doom lights (btw, none of this stuff is standard equipment) Swivel captain's chairs with arm rests. Side hinged doors w/o glass. Rear hinged double doors with vented/tinted glass.
List price $5882.16 Drive out price $5200.00 payments were 133.00 per month for 36 months.
1986 Dodge B150 ram wagon (passenger van) 318/999, 9-3/4" , power windows and door locks, power disc brakes, all vented and tinted side glass, single rear hinged door, double hinged side doors, 6010 lb GVW package, 8 passenger seating with deluxe cloth seating, cruise, tilt, am/fm cassette/cd, 6 speakers, full padded floor carpeting. two town paint, chrome bumpers, chrome trim, at wheel wells and body side molding, intermittent wipers, etc....
List price: $16,452.11 Drive out price $13,500.00 $500.0 down payment, monthly payments were 279.90 for 48 months.
My point is, until the mid 80's new cars/truck were affordable to the common working man. That getting to the point now with 6, 7 and even 10 year loans that it pretty much sucks buying a new car, but presently new cars are a better deal than used cars.
After that, the value of new cars dropped, though the pricing continued to climb. today we look at a compact 4 cylinder FWD car, see a price tag of $19K and think it;s a good deal.
My 2012 Diesel Ram crew cab dually cost more than $51,000 drive out!!!!! I'm 62 years old. My hope is that it will be the last pick up I ever have to buy. If I can get 20 years out of it, I will be nearly 83 years old at that point (with any luck) I doubt I will be looking at another fullsize pick up by then.
Perhaps one of those little pos cars will fill the bill at that point, even though by that time it will probably be about $50K for a stripper Prius.
