Well SSD, if you take the standard rule of thumb that costs double every ten years then flying has become more expensive.
1979 money = 1100
1989 money = 2200
1999 money = 4400
I paid about £8000 for my PPL (done in a cessna 172 as I cannot fit in anything smaller)
As for training, its not just the instructor. There is a lot of study yourself to do and understand.
Kelvin