15 Cars and The Price 50 Years Ago vs. 2024

You can tell a lot about a person by the kind of car they choose to splurge on. Someone behind the wheel of a rugged, heavy-duty truck probably works with their hands, while others prefer speed, luxury, or design.

Take the Ford Mustang, for example. The sound of one roaring down the highway is unmistakable. In 2024, it's packed with performance features that make it one of the most sought-after sports cars on the market. But back in 1974, a brand-new Mustang cost around $3,500 — a fraction of today's average price of $30,900. Drivers in the 1970s definitely got a deal.

Another iconic ride is the Chevrolet Corvette. In 1974, it sold for just under $6,000. Fast forward to today, and that same nameplate carries a price tag of about $70,000. The design has evolved into something sleek and futuristic — fitting for a car that's always symbolized power and prestige.

To create this list of 15 popular cars and how their prices have changed over the past 50 years, 24/7 Tempo consulted trusted automotive sources including J.D. Power, Car and Driver, and Kelley Blue Book.

In 1974, driving a Chevy Corvette was a great way to flex in front of your crush. The cost of a new Chevy Corvette wasn't for penny-pinchers looking to save every dime they earned in the mid-70s. The car set someone back $6,000 in their bank account. It was a smart purchase, though, as the memories made with friends in the car outweighed the cost.

As millennials and Gen-Zers would say, driving around in a Chevy Corvette has always been a method for "stunting on" other drivers. That's no different in 2024. There are plenty of different upgrades to add to a Corvette to make people notice you as you fly own the road. However, just the base cost of a 2024 Corvette is nearly $70,000. That doesn't include any of the multipliers tons of people like to do.

Few cars have taken their place on the mantle of the American automotive industry ahead of the Ford Mustang. In the 1970s, the Mustang was considered one of the best, yet cost-effective cars for cheap people to drive. The engine was powerful and reminded those who drove it of mustang horses. In 1974, someone who wanted to purchase a new Ford Mustang would have to let go of around $3,500 for the car.

50 years later, the Ford Mustang is still a car people fantasize about getting behind the wheels of. The engine always makes a noise that's as loud as firecrackers, but it's not the annoying type of loud alternative cars have. Instead, it's a smooth sound that sounds almost satisfying to listen to. In 2024, someone who wants the newest model of the Mustang will pay around $30,900 for the car.

Another popular sports car Chevy came out with was the Camaro. The car has a sleek design that makes people walking by have heart-eyes. This makes it a must-have for anyone who wants to impress their friends – or their crush. The 1974 model has been romanticized heavily by television shows and movies that took place in the 70s, since most of the cool people drove one. A new Camaro in 1974 costed $3,300.

There's a special feeling that blooms inside nearly everyone who experiences driving a new Camaro down the road in 2024. Even though it's a popular car, onlookers still wonder if they just saw a movie star when they pass a Camaro. A new Camaro in 2024 is going to cost you around $32,500 before adding any potential upgrades to it.

Even in the 1970s, it felt like flying to the moon was as cost-effective as splurging on a Lamborghini. The Italian sports car zoomed fast and had a design that nearly everyone in the world was unapologetically desperately chasing after. The Lamborghini Urraco was considered the cheapest option for someone looking to make a responsible financial choice, yet it still sold for a jaw-dropping price of $22,500.

Driving a Lamborghini in 2024 means you've cracked the nearly impossible game of life on Earth. If you want a new Lamborghini in 2024, prepare yourself to be looked at like a million bucks. If you're driving this ride, odds are, you likely are worth at least that much money. The average cost of a new Lamborghini in 2024 is under $250,000.

Cruising down the road in a Ferrari is what the top 1% of the top 1% people enjoy doing. The Italian sports-car brand has been associated with Formula One racing for year. Drivers hoping to win various Grand Prix races around the world rely on this ride for their goals. Non-racers have also been known to drive Ferraris off the lot in the past. In 1974, the average Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 costed customers $22,500.

It takes years of sweat, hard work, and grinding to get into a car produced by Ferrari. The Ferrari Roma, which makes sense for a model name of an Italian car, is one of the most sought-after Ferrari pumps off of the assembly line. Like the 2024 Lamborghini, a 2024 Ferrari Roma costs a little under $250,000.

Maserati is an Italian car brand that makes bystanders wonder who's driving it. Even in 1974, the Maserati Merak was one of the few cars that left people totally stupefied. Some thought a new Merak would automatically level them up in 1974. If someone did pull the trigger, they had to be willing to drop more than $21,000 for the new eye candy in their driveway.

There are an ample number of Maserati cars to drive in 2024 that look like they're out of "The Jetsons." That doesn't mean they're going to cost you as much as a spaceship. While it's almost alarming to consider, there's one model that's cost-effective for average families with a white picket fence. The Maserati Grecale is an SUV that costs slightly under $70,000 – brand-new. Not bad for a car few people could only dream of manifesting into their reality.

For any car model or brand, being sold for more than 50 years is as rare as finding an authentic George Washington signature. The Porsche 911 pulled a rabbit out of a hat with sales lasting for at least half of a century. In 1974, consumers paid $10,800 to speed away in a brand-new version of the car.

It's not fully uncommon spotting a Porsche 911 during a date night outing. That doesn't mean that the car is cheap and affordable for the basic American family to purchase, though. The standard 911 costs $114,000 in 2024. There are numerous ways to pimp the car out that will cost you even more,_ if_ that's something you're into.

It's normal to look at a Mercedes-Benz and fantasize about taking it down the Pacific Coast Highway. The cars were just as amazing back then as they are today. Anyone with child-like dreams of finding themselves in a new car could get into a Mercedes-Benz a lot cheaper in the 1970s. In 1974, people needed to pay $10,900 for the 280 model to take on the roadtrip of their dreams.

While it's not a proven fact, it sure feels like Mercedes-Benz is the most popular luxury car brand on the road. The company has taken the consumer into mind by pricing some of their models reasonably. The most cost-effective model in 2024 is the GLA-Class. Anyone in the market for a new car will be set back by $41,000 if they hope to bring the GLA-Class home.

Sports cars have always been popular to drive around since they were first released. The Dodge Charger is a muscle car that people still resurrect back to life in 2024. People in 1974 needed to pay $3,500 to pull up anywhere in the American muscle car staple. The car is timeless as a vehicle where countless memories were made among drivers on the open road.

As time has progressed, the Dodge Charger is one of few cars that's kept is allure. The body has stayed relatively similar to the 1970s, with only minor tweaks made. The engine is more powerful and the interior has seats that are more comfortable to rest in. If you're someone who's in the market for a new Dodge Charger in 2024, be ready to spend roughly $50,000 for the cheapest model. After you drop this kind of money, you can feel excited about turning it into a vehicle straight out of the Fast and Furious franchise.

The Volvo car brand has consistently made reliable cars that many parents have felt comfortable passing down to their children. In 1974, one of the most popular Volvo models people went for was the 144S. The flip side of buying a reliable car is that the company is likely going to charge more for it. The 144S would have run someone slightly under $5,000 in 1974, but given the fact it was dependable, the car was a smart investment.

In 2024, Volvo still makes cars people consistently count on to get them from place to place. Volvo currently knows they make cars people can trust, so they charge slightly more than some of their competitors. When looking at it from the big picture, it's smart to have a dependable car. The cheapest model is the XC40, which costs drivers $40,000 to bring home to their families.

There was once a time where families in the United States would cram into a Subaru whenever they were taking road trips. The reason why? The cars were known to get people safely from point A to point B without any trouble. The average Subaru 1400 in 1974 would cost families around $3,000. Anyone who took a roadtrip in the 1970s saw an exuberant number of these cars on the road.

The Subaru Outback is described on social media by adventurers as one of the best cars to take on road trips. It gets tremendous gas mileage and can power through the harshest weather Mother Nature challenges them with. In the midwest, people rely on cars like this to survive the unfathomable winters they experience. In 2024, Subaru is charging customers around $25,000 to get into a new Outback.

Mazda has always been a brand for people looking score deals on when getting into new cars. In 1974, one of their popular models was the 808 Coupe. The car strived to look like a combination of a Porsche and a Ferrari. The goal was to have the same body type, but not the same price tag for the car. In 1974, a new 808 Coupe would run someone a little under $2,000, brand–new. Not a bad deal for a nice car.

Mazda still makes amazing cars for people to stretch their dollar as far as possible with. One model people appreciate is the Mazda3. People who drive this car feel like they've hit the lottery when it comes to having something dependable, yet reasonable. To get into a new Mazda3 in 2024, consumers are going to spend close to $24,000.

BMW has always been a car for people who have their bank accounts looking flush. In the 1970s, the BMW 2002 was projected to be the car of the future. It had all the looks and upgrades people assumed were coming with cars in the future. It wasn't cheap to get your hands on the "future" of driving in 1974. A new 2002 costed roughly $5,000. People still clamored to get inside a the latest and greatest model in mid-70s.

It's common for people aiming to buy a BMW to stalk a 3-series model to purchase. The sporty look and 0-60 acceleration are enough reasons for anyone in the market for a new ride. Be ready for the car to set you back some money, though. A new 3-series costs around $45,500 for consumers to screech out of the lot in. Given the pleasure that people have driving around in a BMW, it's likely a good investment for most people.

The Volkswagen Beetle doesn't look like a car from the future like others on this list. That makes it even more remarkable since it's so culturally significant in the United States. The gigantic hump on top of the car makes it instantly recognizable. Even in 2024, people still play games where they call out Beetles whenever they see one driving down the road. During roadtrips, locating Beetles helps people make the time pass by quickly. Anyone who wanted to drive a Beetle in 1974 had to shell out $2,600.

Volkswagen is still a popular car brand for people to drive, and it has been for years. Even though the Beetle is no longer an option, people know how reliable the Volkswagen brand is. One of the most popular models for people to buy in 2024 is the Jetta. The car is both dependable and affordable compared to most alternative options. A Jetta only costs $21,000 to drive off in today.

Rolls-Royce has been designing cars for the most successful people in the world ever since their inception. Few people in history have had the privilege of driving a Rolls-Royce. Those who have done so have described it as if they were driving around on clouds. The tires are soft against even the roughest pavement in the world. Drivers barely feel themselves moving, but the luxury comes with a steep price. A Silver Shadow costed more than $38,000 in 1974.

It's normal for nearly every member of society to dream about driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom someday. The car has gained popularity around the world. Its notoriety is impressive given that the brand offers little to no advertisement or promotion. Those who drive Phantoms have most certainly figured out how to make money on Earth. The average starting cost of a Phantom is $500,000, and that's before enhancing the look and feel of the car.