My current daily driver is a 2019 VW Jetta GLI (Autobahn), six-speed stick.
When searching around for an analogous car from my Yoot, it occurred to me that a '67 Chevy Nova SS, with the 275hp V8 (327ci), is pretty similar. It was a relatively inexpensive performance car, not wildly optioned, but certainly equipped well enough to be noticed.
The Nova specs out as follows:
Wheelbase: 110"
Overall Length: 183"
Curb Weight: 2,700 lbs. This may require a second look as this is the weight for the base four cylinder. Obviously the V8 would be heavier.
HP/Torque: 275/355
Measured 0-60 time: 6.3 sec.
The base sticker price for the Nova was about $2,600, but it could certainly be equipped as described for less than three grand.
Now compare with my Jetta
Wheelbase: 103.7 (Note the longer w/b on the Nova, which had a FRAME. The Jetta is unibody).
Overall Length: 185
Curb weight: 3,274
HP/Torque: 228/258
Measured 0-60 time: 5.6 seconds.
Base sticker price of the GLI/Autobahn model was about $29k
You could fill a good sized pamphlet doing nothing but describing all of the aspects of the Jetta that are better due to the march of technical progress. The CPI in 1967 was 33.4; in 2019 it was 255.7, an increase of 763%. Had the prices of these two cars been "the same," the Jetta would have cost $23k.
If you purchase your cars rationally, you can easily get a bargain, historically speaking. Today's car is faster, more economical, safer, more durable, and on and on.
When searching around for an analogous car from my Yoot, it occurred to me that a '67 Chevy Nova SS, with the 275hp V8 (327ci), is pretty similar. It was a relatively inexpensive performance car, not wildly optioned, but certainly equipped well enough to be noticed.
The Nova specs out as follows:
Wheelbase: 110"
Overall Length: 183"
Curb Weight: 2,700 lbs. This may require a second look as this is the weight for the base four cylinder. Obviously the V8 would be heavier.
HP/Torque: 275/355
Measured 0-60 time: 6.3 sec.
The base sticker price for the Nova was about $2,600, but it could certainly be equipped as described for less than three grand.
Now compare with my Jetta
Wheelbase: 103.7 (Note the longer w/b on the Nova, which had a FRAME. The Jetta is unibody).
Overall Length: 185
Curb weight: 3,274
HP/Torque: 228/258
Measured 0-60 time: 5.6 seconds.
Base sticker price of the GLI/Autobahn model was about $29k
You could fill a good sized pamphlet doing nothing but describing all of the aspects of the Jetta that are better due to the march of technical progress. The CPI in 1967 was 33.4; in 2019 it was 255.7, an increase of 763%. Had the prices of these two cars been "the same," the Jetta would have cost $23k.
If you purchase your cars rationally, you can easily get a bargain, historically speaking. Today's car is faster, more economical, safer, more durable, and on and on.
