$10k in 1984 is $25k in 2020 adjusted for inflation. That is not too far off from the base price of a 2020 Ram 1500 Tradesman with a Pentastar that cost $29k. Although the 2020 V6 has 305hp/269lb-ft with an 8-speed versus the 120hp/245lb-ft and 4-speed of the old 318. It probably gets 50-75% better fuel economy too. Not only that, but it has government mandated things like air bags, reverse cameras, stability control, anti-lock brakes, and crush resistant pillars to name a few.
So I will say that is about even given the added stuff you get since a $29k vehicle in 2020 is equivalent to an $11.5k vehicle in 1984. I bet a lot of people would have paid that back then to get all of the added features stated above.
People often forget about inflation even though them wanting raises and more money at their job every year for doing the same work is part of the reason why a dollar cannot buy the same thing today as it did 30 years ago.
