I read this yesterday over the Firearm forum, penned by Millwright, thought it would fit in here
Well $3.00/gal gas equates to .$.48/gal circa 1968 in a car getting around 12 mpg on high test. That makes $4.00/gal gas worth $.65 in 1968 dollars.
In 1968 a set of expensive tires only went around 20K miles, spark plugs maybe 3-5 K, oil/filters 3K, brakes 10K, premium shocks every 20K, you did a 'valve job' around 50K and 'overhauled' around 90-100K, and the list goes on......belts, hoses, wheel bearings, bulbs, and coolant flushes were a semi-annual event. With superior care a car would last around 150K miles.
In 2008 tires go 40K+, brakes 50K, oil/filters 5-7K, shocks/struts 50K, coolant flush 3-5 years, hoses at least 5 years, belts 3 years or more, you never do a 'valve job' or even an 'overhaul' unless you want to and a car will last over 200K miles with regular care. That car will yield 25-30 mpg and more horsepower on regular gas, corner at 50% higher "G", stop quicker and straighter, is quieter and more comfortable, and, above all, is safer to drive or in an accident.......
The "Good Ole' Days' of motor cars is right now........ >MW