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The Average Car Price the Year You Were Born

Published January 19, 2023•Updated March 25, 2025

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1953 cadillac eldorado — 1953 Cadillac Eldorado by Alden Jewell (CC BY)

Theres’s plenty having to do with cars that changes 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 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 2022 dollars.

1940

Average price: $725

Adjusted for inflation: $15,155

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

Willys Americar Pickup 1941 by JOHN LLOYD ((CC BY))

Average price: $1,288

Adjusted for inflation: $24,447

1942

Average price: $3,174

Adjusted for inflation: $56,987

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

Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower in his jeep in the American sector during the liberation of Lower Normandy in the summer of 1944. — US Army Signal Corps/National Archives USA

The auto industry’s switching of gears to make solely military vehicles continues 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: $27,390

1947

Average price: $1,313

Adjusted for inflation: $17,231

1948

Average price: $1,434

Adjusted for inflation: $17,414

1949

Average price: $1,425

Adjusted for inflation: $17,522

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: $11,949

1951

Average price: $2,026

Adjusted for inflation: $22,805

1952

Average price: $3,977

Adjusted for inflation: $43,920

1953

Average price: $3,490

Adjusted for inflation: $38,253

1954

Average price: $2,260

Adjusted for inflation: $24,587

1955

Average price: $2,166

Adjusted for inflation: $23,653

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: $33,569

1957

1957 Mercury Commuter 2-door by Josephew ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,600

Adjusted for inflation: $37,493

1958

Chevy Napco — A 1958 Chevrolet Apache pickup truck with the NAPCO Power-Pak conversion by Mr.choppers ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,631

Adjusted for inflation: $36,769

1959

Average price: $5,000

Adjusted for inflation: $50,284

1960

Average price: $2,238

Adjusted for inflation: $22,127

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: $46,492

1962

Average price: $6,074

Adjusted for inflation: $58,860

1963

Dodge Custom 880 — 1963 Dodge 880 station wagon at 2015 Macungie show by Christopher Ziemnowicz ((CC BY))

Average price: $4,333

Adjusted for inflation: $41,440

1964

Average price: $2,780

Adjusted for inflation: $26,244

1965

Average price: $2,398

Adjusted for inflation: $22,278

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: $27,468

1967

Average price: $2,809

Adjusted for inflation: $24,613

1968

Average price: $3,506

Adjusted for inflation: $29,484

1969

fiat dino coupe — Fiat Dino Coupe, 1969 – SE-FD 72H – DSC_0924_Balancer by Lav Ulv ((CC BY))

Average price: $2,945

Adjusted for inflation: $23,484

1970

Average price: $3,914

Adjusted for inflation: $29,522

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: $36,427

1972

Average price: $3,201

Adjusted for inflation: $22,411

1973

Imperial LeBaron — 1973 Chrysler Imperial Le Baron 04 by Nickmix01 ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,415

Adjusted for inflation: $22,510

1974

Average price: $4,135

Adjusted for inflation: $24,546

1975

Average price: $4,950

Adjusted for inflation: $26,926

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: $24,559

1977

Average price: $5,456

Adjusted for inflation: $26,349

1978

Ford Bronco 2nd Generation — Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $5,468

Adjusted for inflation: $24,544

1979

Average price: $5,605

Adjusted for inflation: $22,594

1980

Bustle-back Cadillac Seville produced from 1980–1985. by dave_7 ((CC BY))

Average price: $6,735

Adjusted for inflation: $23,920

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: $25,837

1982

Average price: $6,406

Adjusted for inflation: $19,427

1983

Average price: $9,175

Adjusted for inflation: $26,959

Related: Most Iconic Movie and TV Cars

1984

Average price: $11,299

Adjusted for inflation: $31,826

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: $21,212

1986

Jeep Wagoneer — 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer by CZmarlin ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $9,366

Adjusted for inflation: $25,009

1987

Average price: $6,801

Adjusted for inflation: $17,521

1988

1988 California-spec VW Vanagon Wolfsburg Edition by I, Alison ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $11,999

Adjusted for inflation: $29,684

1989

Average price: $14,180

Adjusted for inflation: $33,467

Charger, Challenger and More: Iconic Dodge Vehicles

1990

Average price: $13,800

Adjusted for inflation: $30,900

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: $30,303

1992

Average price: $12,807

Adjusted for inflation: $26,714

1993

Ford F-Series — 1993 Ford F-150, with dual fuel tanks by Henry.hilliard ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $24,829

Adjusted for inflation: $50,286

1994

Average price: $17,450

Adjusted for inflation: $34,459

1995

Average price: $20,095

Adjusted for inflation: $38,589

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: $34,693

1997

Average price: $19,868

Adjusted for inflation: $36,227

1998

1998 Dodge Intrepid 3.2 V6 by Kieran White ((CC BY))

Average price: $20,218

Adjusted for inflation: $36,300

1999

Average price: $22,308

Adjusted for inflation: $39,187

2000

2001 Hyundai Tiburon — Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $18,745

Adjusted for inflation: $31,857

2001

Chrysler PT Cruiser ((2001-2010)) by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $21,635

Adjusted for inflation: $34,078

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: $29,399

2003

Average price: $22,260

Adjusted for inflation: $33,729

Meet the Writer

Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer who has dabbled in a variety of subject matter throughout her career. As a mom of multiple young children, she tries to maintain a sustainable lifestyle for her family. She grows vegetables in her garden, gets her meat in bulk from local farmers, and cans fruits and vegetables with friends. Her kids have plenty of hand-me-downs in their closets, but her husband jokes that before long, they might need to invest in a new driveway thanks to the frequent visits from delivery trucks dropping off online purchases (she can’t pass up a good deal, after all). You can reach her at [email protected].

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