That puts that car @ 1986…the crappiest decade of all times for cars.
Your original analysis is correct. They are made way better.
The downside is it’s a tad harder to DYI.
If the old car runs ok, why spend a bazillion dollars for today’s car?
A one time $1000 repair bill is still cheaper than a $500-$1000 monthly car payment.
But again, you are right…middle class could afford a new car every three years or so…it would be crazy to do that today.

“You can’t get blood from a stone, and restaurants all over the country are learning the hard way that most consumers simply cannot afford to eat out as regularly as they once did…”

especially when states mandate minimum wage requirements for fast food and restaurant servers.
Food cost-to-profit margins have always been razor thin and the feds went after farmers…supply\ demand stuff. Affects are downhill…

Somewhere down the road, 2007-2009 housing recession will hit us again.

Solution ? Kick the can down the road.

with all that said, you are right. Thanx for the article.