Counterpoint for [1], that is claiming $15k in 1947 is $76,801.50 today. Here's a quote from Wikipedia about a 1948 luxury brand car model:
The Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville was introduced late in the 1949 model year.[4][9] Along with the Buick Roadmaster Riviera, and the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday, it was among the first pillarless hardtop coupes ever produced.[4][9] At $3,496 ($47,306 in 2025 dollars [5]) it was only a dollar less than the Series 62 convertible, and like the convertible, it came with power windows standard. It was luxuriously trimmed, with leather upholstery and chrome 'bows' in the headliner to simulate the ribs of a convertible top.[4][9]
And from the same source, the 1946 Crosley sedan was $905, three digits. (Page 813).
From your own [1], "Cars priced at $3,496 in 1949→$15,003.75 in 2026", and "Cars priced at $905 in 1947→$4,633.69 in 2026". The prices your [1] link give for 2026 sound like the price of new Chinese cars before tariffs, which Americans can't buy. And yes, I also noticed that $3,496 (1949) becoming $15k (2026) according to your link is completely out of sync with the number Wikipedia gave (Wikipedia agrees with https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm which says the $905 (1946) Crosley sedan would cost $13,899.66 in 2026, where is 2026's new car for $14k? Oh, right, they're in China and just about here in Europe), which is my next counterpoint:
This matters because of all the debate about which goods and services go into the basket of goods that is used to measure inflation, and that the headline number is generally wrong in both directions at the same time once you look at subgroups who are more and less dependent on different goods and services.
This also means that as groups stop buying certain things, they move out of those baskets fractionally or entirely. Like, fewer kids being born means less spending on childcare means it's weighted less in the basket, even if the reason for fewer kids is more expensive childcare.
And from the same source, the 1946 Crosley sedan was $905, three digits. (Page 813).
From your own [1], "Cars priced at $3,496 in 1949→$15,003.75 in 2026", and "Cars priced at $905 in 1947→$4,633.69 in 2026". The prices your [1] link give for 2026 sound like the price of new Chinese cars before tariffs, which Americans can't buy. And yes, I also noticed that $3,496 (1949) becoming $15k (2026) according to your link is completely out of sync with the number Wikipedia gave (Wikipedia agrees with https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm which says the $905 (1946) Crosley sedan would cost $13,899.66 in 2026, where is 2026's new car for $14k? Oh, right, they're in China and just about here in Europe), which is my next counterpoint:
Counterpoint for [2], inflation is not one number for all things: https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/chart-of-the-day-or-century-8...
This matters because of all the debate about which goods and services go into the basket of goods that is used to measure inflation, and that the headline number is generally wrong in both directions at the same time once you look at subgroups who are more and less dependent on different goods and services.
This also means that as groups stop buying certain things, they move out of those baskets fractionally or entirely. Like, fewer kids being born means less spending on childcare means it's weighted less in the basket, even if the reason for fewer kids is more expensive childcare.
For more about how the headline number hides the details, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU2raZftgmE&t=601s