In Nov 1978, six months before my graduation, Honda introduced the Prelude. It was 2 door sports coupe (with a tiny backseat) that was the talk of the automotive magazines. It was chock full of all the bells and whistles, including a powered moon roof, as standard equipment. I thought it as coolest car I'd ever seen.
In early May (after having accepted a job offer) my Dad and I went to the only Honda dealership in the area to look at and hopefully test drive one of them. Things were going great until we started talking price. Turns out they were selling above sticker, and came with dealer added options (rustproofing, upholstery protection, etc). After adding tax, title, and destination charges, it topped out just under $10K. I was shocked.
My Dad gave me a pep talk on the way home. He told me now was the time to splurge on myself, what with a new job that was going to pay me the princely sum of $19,200/year and no one to provide for but myself. I really wanted that car....but I couldn't do it. $10K, more than half my first year's salary, seemed like a crazy amount of money. I eventually bought a brand new 1979 Plymouth/Mitsubishi Arrow, less than $5K out the door. A sensible car that served me well.
Five years later I bought a Honda CRX, the ultimate "pocket rocket" of the day. Great car.