3 ms·
> A new car still costs around 13oz of gold But a new car today is vastly different from a 1940s car, so different that it's nonsensical to use it to compare p
by deeg 1y ago
> A new car still costs around 13oz of gold
But a new car today is vastly different from a 1940s car, so different that it's nonsensical to use it to compare purchasing power of gold.
- ekianjo 1y agoIt's all about utility. So it does not really matter how better or worse cars are over time
- maxerickson 1y agoThat is a very interesting utility function
- ekianjo 1y agoIf you need to go 50 km away from where you live what functions the car has is irrelevant besides getting you there at the end of the day.
- maxerickson 1y agoSure, but modern cars are in fact much, much better at this. New cars aren't necessarily a lot better than cars built 20 years ago, but compared to anything built before EFI they are vastly more reliable. And then you could also talk about radial tires if you are comparing to the 1940s. While you are fiddling with your carb and fixing 2 flat tires, I'm cruising along with a misfiring cylinder and a nail causing a slow leak.
- ulfw 1y agoWhat is a 'car'? I don't know what a car is. Sorry. Is it a used Ford Bronco for $2000 or a Ferrari Purasongue for $450,000? They have basically the same utility. What is a car?