The Average Car Price the Year You Were Born

There are plenty of things that change year by year —from body styles and paint options to the cost of gas and vehicle maintenance —but one thing that has changed the most over the decades is the average car price. Cheapism pulled together a list of top-selling cars every year from 1940 through today, using data from J.D. Power’s NADA Guides to record the price they were sold at the year they made their debut, also showing the price in 2025 dollars.

1940

Average price: $725

Adjusted for inflation: $16,941.01

Chevrolet makes more than 1 million cars, leading the industry for the year and becoming the first automaker to surpass the 1 million mark since 1930. This year also sees the emergence of three substantial industry trends, including sealed-beam headlamps, which make driving at night easier; fully automatic transmission, led by Oldsmobile launching the Hydra-matic; and the first factory air conditioning system, which Packard debuted on its 180 Series.

1941

Average price: $1,288

Adjusted for inflation: $29,669.67

1942

Average price: $3,174

Adjusted for inflation: $65,663.39

One of the shortest production years in the history of the auto industry, with barely 1 million units made before civilian manufacturing halted in February and, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the focus turning to military production. Of the small number of passenger cars for the year, many showcase painted exterior trims rather than plated, since chromium is considered a strategic material.

1943-1945

The auto industry’s switching of gears to make solely military vehicles continued between 1943 and 1945. The leftover stock from 1941 and 1942 is distributed based on need to civilians and military.

1946

Average price: $1,825

Adjusted for inflation: $32,569.23

1947

Average price: $1,313

Adjusted for inflation: $23,432.00

1948

Average price: $1,434

Adjusted for inflation: $19,652.46

1949

Average price: $1,425

Adjusted for inflation: $19,285.00

After World War II, the auto industry enters into its biggest boom since the 1920s. Consumers are ready for something new and innovative, and Ford answers by introducing a model with an entirely fresh design. Mercury, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile also modernize their models. GM introduces the Oldsmobile and Cadillac V8s in 1949, becoming the first manufacturer to produce that type of engine. 

1950

Average price: $984

Adjusted for inflation: $13,600.14

1951

Average price: $2,026

Adjusted for inflation: $25,907.28

1952

Average price: $3,977

Adjusted for inflation: $48,744.51

1953

Average price: $3,490

Adjusted for inflation: $42,614.74

1954

Average price: $2,260

Adjusted for inflation: $27,288.03

1955

Average price: $2,166

Adjusted for inflation: $26,348.94

An innovative year across the automotive industry. Manufacturers leave behind the postwar designs and embrace modern styles entirely. Chevrolet and Ford adopt wraparound windshields, and Chevrolet’s model for the year has a small-block V8 engine that is groundbreaking and even race-winning.

1956

Average price: $3,120

Adjusted for inflation: $37,812.54

1957

Average price: $3,600

Adjusted for inflation: $42,365.22

1958

Average price: $3,631

Adjusted for inflation: $41,235.97

1959

Average price: $5,000

Adjusted for inflation: $56,000.00

1960

Average price: $2,238

Adjusted for inflation: $24,808.96

Flashy designs with tall fins and an abundance of chrome started to dissipate by this year, with manufacturers focusing on simpler, less extravagant designs. Ford introduces its first three compact cars.

1961

Average price: $4,750

Adjusted for inflation: $51,771.81

1962

Average price: $6,074

Adjusted for inflation: $65,761.17

1963

Average price: $4,333

Adjusted for inflation: $46,294.68

1964

Average price: $2,780

Adjusted for inflation: $29,221.49

1965

Average price: $2,398

Adjusted for inflation: $24,963.79

Following the debut of the Mustang in 1964, Ford sells a record-breaking 1 million units within the first 18 months of production. This surge compels other manufacturers to introduce their own versions of 2+2 sporty compacts — with full-sized front seats and back seats with less legroom — creating the pony car category.

1966

Average price: $3,041

Adjusted for inflation: $31,060.28

1967

Average price: $2,809

Adjusted for inflation: $27,731.40

1968

Average price: $3,506

Adjusted for inflation: $33,394.39

1969

Average price: $2,945

Adjusted for inflation: $26,868.99

1970

Average price: $3,914

Adjusted for inflation: $33,631.41

Muscle cars peak in popularity, although the era drives on. The United Auto Workers participate in a 67-day strike at General Motors, causing the Ford Galaxie to snatch the No. 1 spot for sales that year.

1971

Average price: $5,041

Adjusted for inflation: $41,138.61

1972

Average price: $3,201

Adjusted for inflation: $25,296.47

1973

Average price: $3,415

Adjusted for inflation: $26,037.37

1974

Average price: $4,135

Adjusted for inflation: $28,820.77

1975

Average price: $4,950

Adjusted for inflation: $30,859.12

Small cars arrive: American Motors introduces the Pacer, dubbing it America’s “first wide small car.” Chrysler debuts its own small car with the Cordoba. Originally designed as a Plymouth, the Cordoba unexpectedly becomes one of Chrysler’s most memorable cars.

1976

Average price: $4,775

Adjusted for inflation: $27,894.24

1977

Average price: $5,456

Adjusted for inflation: $30,292.46

1978

Average price: $5,468

Adjusted for inflation: $28,416.10

1979

Average price: $5,605

Adjusted for inflation: $26,654.52

1980

Average price: $6,735

Adjusted for inflation: $28,117.33

Compact sedans grow in popularity. The General Motors X-body platform spent five years in development before the 1980 Chevy Citation is unveiled, making it the first passenger vehicle to display the body style. Other manufacturers follow the trend, introducing the Buick Skylark, Pontiac Phoenix, and Oldsmobile Omega.

1981

Average price: $8,025

Adjusted for inflation: $29,960.00

1982

Average price: $6,406

Adjusted for inflation: $22,064.36

1983

Average price: $9,175

Adjusted for inflation: $30,470.76

1984

Average price: $11,299

Adjusted for inflation: $36,014.87

The best sales year for the auto industry since 1979, with 14.1 million cars and light trucks selling. The interest in larger, more luxurious (and expensive) vehicles increases, generating even more revenue for the industry.

1985

Average price: $7,799

Adjusted for inflation: $24,010.57

1986

Average price: $9,366

Adjusted for inflation: $27,756.18

1987

Average price: $6,801

Adjusted for inflation: $19,864.79

1988

Average price: $11,999

Adjusted for inflation: $33,684.31

1989

Average price: $14,180

Adjusted for inflation: $38,031.91

1990

Average price: $13,800

Adjusted for inflation: $35,182.42

Auto sales begin to weaken from the recession. Automakers focus more on buying or investing in foreign manufacturers, but consumers lean further toward foreign vehicles as well. 

1991

Average price: $14,103

Adjusted for inflation: $34,031.61

1992

Average price: $12,807

Adjusted for inflation: $30,121.03

1993

Average price: $24,829

Adjusted for inflation: $56,553.01

1994

Average price: $17,450

Adjusted for inflation: $38,767.17

1995

Average price: $20,095

Adjusted for inflation: $43,425.52

Automakers continue to push back against electric vehicles. While politicians argue EVs would help the environment, manufacturers argue that they would cost more to make and have little environmental impact. 

1996

Average price: $18,600

Adjusted for inflation: $39,127.46

1997

Average price: $19,868

Adjusted for inflation: $40,560.19

1998

Average price: $20,218

Adjusted for inflation: $40,636.18

1999

Average price: $22,308

Adjusted for inflation: $44,100.05

2000

Average price: $18,745

Adjusted for inflation: $36,068.58

2001

Average price: $21,635

Adjusted for inflation: $40,131.63

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, another recession begins, heavily affecting the auto industry in terms of sales and profitability. Chrysler discontinues its Plymouth brand.

2002

Average price: $18,970

Adjusted for inflation: $34,790.83

2003

Average price: $22,260

Adjusted for inflation: $39,791.13

More from Cheapism

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• How Much a Ford Truck Cost the Year You Were Born — A fun deep dive into historical MSRPs of Ford trucks by year, adjusted for inflation, showing how pickup-truck prices have evolved over time.
• Buying a Used Car? Don’t Miss These 15 Costly Warning Signs — A practical guide to the red flags you should watch out for when buying a pre-owned vehicle, helping you avoid surprises and expensive mistakes.