Introduction — Appreciation of Depreciation: An Anti-Overpriced-Appliance Manifesto for Real Driving in the Real World
Flipping the script on our cars reclaims our agency and moves us past consumer fatigue, enshittification, and financial insanity — toward a more intentional and beautiful life
Never before has reality come together to make buying and enjoying depreciated world-class automobiles more attractive. And as those of us who are sane keep pushing for sustainable tech and an end to the madness of using millions of private automobiles as a stand-in for viable mass transit, we realize that we’re also pushing for a big side benefit: we can make driving something we do for recreation, not as a chore. Because we want to, not because we have to. To get to the Berkshires for a weekend away, not to commute to work or do the carpool run.
This series lays out what that looks like — not as an abstract someday-concept, not as a retirement dream, but for my life and your life, right now. You don’t need to know a lot about cars or a lot about finance to get it. The ideas are simple; they’re just overlooked, lost in the noise of advertising and pervasive “consumerism.” It’s about taste and pleasure. Slowing down — figuratively — even when we speed up, literally. It’s about owning something worth taking care of and caring about — not something disposable and soon-disposed-of.
I. Deconstructing the Modern Script (The Critique)
— Exposing the status quo: how the economy and the regulatory environment have made cars worse than they were 15 years ago, in important ways. Calling out new-car marketing and enshittification. Real luxury and pleasure verus more “tech” —
II. The Philosophy of Reclaiming the Road (The Mindset)
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— How an intentional relationship with an analog machine can change daily existence, mental clarity, quality of life, and the weekend;
III. The Case for the Analog Sanctuary on Wheels (The Depreciated Dreamboats)
— Real-world examples of world-class design, old-school real luxury, and great fun — for regular money;
IV. The Practical Rebellion (The Realities)
— Exploring practical and accessible tricks for managing family needs, busting the myths of “maintenance terror,” avoiding the basic pitfalls of investing in “vintage” engineering — how to trust yourself
It’s a secret no one’s trying to keep; we can do so much better for so much less.
Ride with us. We’re heading off someplace nice.
