Hi Matt,
It is hard to wrap ones mind around what time does to money in real terms.
I'll try;
I'm talking early 80's Ireland though.
Sticking with your figures ; $1000 v's $3000 then and now.

In 1983 I bought a brand new Nissan 1600 diesel @ £6,000.00 = €7,620.00 .
The equivalent model today costs €28,250.00
That's a ratio of ; 1 ; 3.7.
You are not buying ; 1 ; 3

Furthermore just compare what you get for your $3000 as opposed to what you got for your $1000.
You got 3 months hard labor and a model that just does not even begin to compare - though it was typical of the time.

I'm just trying to keep it real.

Brian