Are new cars really that much more expensive than cars were back in the day? Well, according to American research the price of a V6 Honda Accord, when adjusted for inflation, is twice the cost of one of America's most popular muscle cars of the 1960s – the Chevrolet Chevelle.
The researchers weren't comparing apples with oranges as the Chevlle being compared was the bad boy 1966 SS 396, packing GM’s new Turbo-Jet big-block V8 with a tyre-burning 360hp, housing in their mid-size platform.
The V6 Accord is today regarded as a mid-size sedan with performance potential, in much the same vein as the Chevelle... except the Accord scores rafts of safety, luxury and performance technologies that mean it is faster, more comfortable and light years safer than the vintage Chevy.
![A modern V6 Honda Accord, when adjusted for inflation, cost twice as much as a '66 Chevrolet Chevelle. (image credit: The Drive)]()
A modern V6 Honda Accord, when adjusted for inflation, cost twice as much as a '66 Chevrolet Chevelle. (image credit: The Drive)
The research is more focused on raising the question of whether we get twice the value today compared to what we got for our money in years past.... besides, a mint '66 SS 396 Chevelle is worth way more than the brand new Honda V6 Accord today!
Source: The Drive
Iain Kelly is the muscle car fiend behind The Creators Online
Would you prefer a a modern day Honda Accord or a classic Chevy Chevelle? Let us know in the comments.
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Iain Kelly
Contributing Journalist
A love of classic American and European cars drove Iain Kelly to motoring journalism straight out of high school, via the ownership of a tired 1975 HJ Holden Monaro.
For nearly 20 years he has worked on magazines and websites catering to modified late model high-performance Japanese and European tuner cars, as well as traditional hot rods, muscle cars and street machines. Some of these titles include Auto Salon, LSX Tuner, MOTOR, Forged, Freestyle Rides, Roadkill, SPEED, and Street Machine. He counts his trip to the USA to help build Mighty Car Mods’ “Subarute” along with co-authoring their recent book, The Cars of Mighty Car Mods, among his career highlights.
Iain lends his expertise to CarsGuide for a variety of advice projects, along with legitimising his automotive obsession with regular OverSteer contributions.
Although his practical skills working on cars is nearly all self-taught, he still loves nothing more than spending quality time in the shed working on his project car, a 1964 Pontiac. He also admits to also having an addiction to E30 BMWs and Subaru Liberty RS Turbos, both of which he has had multiple examples of. With car choices like that, at least his mum thinks he is cool.
About Author
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