Most Affordable Vehicle Ever Created?

[DAVID BROWER]

IMHO, a KR200 is the closest equivalent that has a chance to grab the 'most affordable' title . . .cost $1,073 in 1956
So comparing 1956 to 2015, the KR200 was equal to between $11,550 and $13,335 in today's money.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR INCLUDING THE MESSERSCHMITT .
HOWEVER , NICE ONES ARE GOING FOR 2-3 TIMES YOUR TODAY's PRICE .

GOOD PROJECT KR's ARE RUNNING IN THE LOW-MID TEENS NOW .
THIS ONE NEEDS A LOT OF WORK AND STILL TIPPED THE SCALES AT $14312.87

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Other-...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[AriLea]

I believe that would be a Yugo - priced to be 'disposable'....which it was pretty much from the start...

View attachment 7547

My parents bought an English Ford Cortina in 1970 for $2500, that was significantly higher than the N600 at $1300. So 7x is $17,000 in 2015 dollars for the Cortina. (best I remember, it did seat 4)

 

[AriLea]

I believe that would be a Yugo - priced to be 'disposable'....which it was pretty much from the start...

View attachment 7547

from the web,,

. . in mid-1986, Yugo America began selling cars at a starting price of $3,990 for the entry-level GV ("Great Value") hatchback

Based on average incomes of $22,742 in 86 to $52k in 2015, we get about 2.3x, so the equivalent price is $9177. That's close to the N600 result.

It's interesting. There seems to be a historical glass floor for lowest priced, 2 to 4 seat-4 wheel, cars at about $9000 in 2015 dollars. To even include some smaller 3 wheelers as well. (I'll have to check the Issetta and Heinkle too)

The Elio busts that wide open, but they are 'breaking the mold' on the 4 wheel and side-by-side layout to do it.

 

[AriLea]

So it would appear from a web search, that the BMW Isetta was just under $1000 (equiv USD) in 1955. This was below the KR200 price. But this does bring up the point that these (Isetta and KR200) are the prices in Europe and would have cost more in the US. At minimum we would have to add shipping over the ocean and import duties at the time.

In anycase, it's a bit spotty, best I can figure is that 1955 incomes were $4500 and the consumer indexes were 20 compared to 2015 of 52k and 220 respectively, which averages together just above 11x. So the Isetta comes out to $11,000 in 2015 dollars. Remember that was Euro pricing, with-out shipping etc. ( but oh I sooo want one )

 

[RUCRAYZE]

So it would appear from a web search, that the BMW Isetta was just under $1000 (equiv USD) in 1955. This was below the KR200 price. But this does bring up the point that these (Isetta and KR200) are the prices in Europe and would have cost more in the US. At minimum we would have to add shipping over the ocean and import duties at the time.

In anycase, it's a bit spotty, best I can figure is that 1955 incomes were $4500 and the consumer indexes were 20 compared to 2015 of 52k and 220 respectively, which averages together just above 11x. So the Isetta comes out to $11,000 in 2015 dollars. Remember that was Euro pricing, with-out shipping etc. ( but oh I sooo want one )
View attachment 7550

No A.C.

 

[Ty]

Let's see... bought a Toyota 4Runner for $1,900... put an $80 water pump in it (The tow service told the lady I bought it from that the head gaskets needed replaced because it was consuming water. It was actually dripping out of the weep hole on the water pump.) I drove it for about 6 months as a commuter and then sold it for $4,900. So, THAT was the cheapest vehicle to operate that I ever owned...

 

[DAVID BROWER]

So it would appear from a web search, that the BMW Isetta was just under $1000 (equiv USD) in 1955. This was below the KR200 price. But this does bring up the point that these (Isetta and KR200) are the prices in Europe and would have cost more in the US.

YOU COULD INDEED BUY AN ISETTA FOR UNDER $1000 HERE IN THE USA

THIS WAS THE SINGLE COLOR CAR WITHOUT OPTIONS BUT
YOU COULD DRIVE A NEW ISETTA OFF THE LOT FOR $998 !

FOR 50 BUCKS MORE , YOU COULD GET THE TWO TONE DELUXE MODEL .
MANY SELLERS ALSO OFFERED DISCOUNTS , THOSE WERE THE DAYS .

 

[AriLea]

So it would appear from a web search, that the BMW Isetta was just under $1000 (equiv USD) in 1955. This was below the KR200 price. But this does bring up the point that these (Isetta and KR200) are the prices in Europe and would have cost more in the US.

YOU COULD INDEED BUY AN ISETTA FOR UNDER $1000 HERE IN THE USA

THIS WAS THE SINGLE COLOR CAR WITHOUT OPTIONS BUT
YOU COULD DRIVE A NEW ISETTA OFF THE LOT FOR $998 !

FOR 50 BUCKS MORE , YOU COULD GET THE TWO TONE DELUXE MODEL .
MANY SELLERS ALSO OFFERED DISCOUNTS , THOSE WERE THE DAYS .

It was such an interesting car. That would then place it at 11grand. 11grand would be a super deal in 2015 for a real Isetta!

 

[RUCRAYZE]

VIII:XLV, tomorrow we get the full monty!!
Thanks in advance those of you going tomorrow with cameras, video tape, and notepads !!

 

[wheaters]

It was such an interesting car. That would then place it at 11grand. 11grand would be a super deal in 2015 for a real Isetta!

Those cars had no reverse gear. Because the only door opened forwards, if the car was parked too close to something in front, the door couldn't be opened. A sliding sunroof was a useful option, if only to call for help!

The one I went to buy (and failed) had the BMW single cylinder engine.