The trouble with these comparisons is that they assume the world remains static while only prices change. But the positional status of the same kind of product or the same brand can also change in the market. For example, movie theaters used to be the only way to watch movies in 1960. Today, big screen LCDs and streaming are affordable to the median family. As a result, theaters have had to move upmarket to offer a compelling alternative to watching movies at home. It’s not just that the theaters are way nicer, which they are, but that they necessarily occupy a higher end segment of the entertainment sector because other products have filled in some of the mass market segment.
Cars are another good example of this. A 1985 Honda Accord is just not as nice of a car as a 2022 Honda Accord: https://www.netcarshow.com/honda/1985-accord_sedan. Not only in absolute terms, but in relative terms. The Accord occupies a premium segment of the market today compared to 1985.
Disney, likewise, is much bigger and better today. The hotels are much nicer. Tech conditions people to expect better products for less money every year, but that doesn’t translate into meat space. A bigger park with more attractions, nicer and cleaner hotel rooms, etc., all cost more to build and maintain even in inflation-adjusted terms.
While Disney is amazing, the hotels (15 years age at least) were awful, yet totally worth it. The kids visiting with characters at breakfast and the characters remembering their names when they saw them in the park later you would not think that was worth the money but after seeing the joy on your kids face, holy moly, some of the best spent money in my life. Reliving those moments will sustain you as an old man. Make bad financial choices when it comes to your kids, because when you are older and it finally makes more sense financially, it's too late.
I agree that cars are better, but are vacation destinations like Disney really better? If you see parade footage from magic kingdom in the nineties you'll see that the crowds are far less. Sure there's more variety, more thrill rides and more alcohol, but I'm not sure the crowds and increased expenses are worth it.
Ditto on Las Vegas as far as prices are concerned.
you make rational arguments here, and i don't disagree. The issue is, there are no "cheap new cars", for any rational definition of cheap, as could be compared to cars in the 80s. and while you don't need a movie theater experience, a car is much more a requirement for large segments of people. Sure you can get a used car, but the point of the article is a comparison to what you used to be able to have. i'd love to get a $12K 1985 "New Civic" now.
A 1985 Honda Civic retailed at $7,295, or about $20,000 today. It was a 94 inch wheelbase hatchback with 60hp. A Kia Rio is similar today—a high quality Asian-built alternative brand—and starts at under $17,000. It’s got a 101 inch wheelbase and 120 horsepower.
That’s true today. But in 1985 Honda was an import brand competing on price. Today it’s much more of a premium brand offering higher quality and reliability.
Cars are another good example of this. A 1985 Honda Accord is just not as nice of a car as a 2022 Honda Accord: https://www.netcarshow.com/honda/1985-accord_sedan. Not only in absolute terms, but in relative terms. The Accord occupies a premium segment of the market today compared to 1985.
Disney, likewise, is much bigger and better today. The hotels are much nicer. Tech conditions people to expect better products for less money every year, but that doesn’t translate into meat space. A bigger park with more attractions, nicer and cleaner hotel rooms, etc., all cost more to build and maintain even in inflation-adjusted terms.