A car is officially just a car

Over the past five years, the idea of a car as a status symbol in the U.S. has been obliterated, thanks to the flood of Teslas on the road. Have you owned one? Do you know someone who has? It’s a cult that somehow went mainstream and turned into a utility. The classic argument—that a car’s purpose is simply to take you from point A to point B—is now firmly rooted in our consciousness and gaining momentum.

We’ve long been fed examples of simplicity, from Warren Buffett’s old Cadillac to Jeff Bezos’ Honda Accord. The message? A car is just a car. And today, that’s truer than ever.

I’ve shared this story before: last holiday season, after taking several rides in Waymo's autonomous vehicles in Phoenix, I found myself driving my aunt, uncle, and parents to a day spa in Scottsdale. There I was, slightly hungover, hurtling down the highway at 70 mph, listening to my family yell about nothing in particular. Suddenly, it hit me—What the hell was I doing? I was controlling a 20,000+ lb machine at high speeds, surrounded by other people doing the same, all distracted by their own swirling thoughts—mortgages, meal plans, music, or sheer exhaustion. And, of course, the ultimate distraction: buzzing, beeping mobile devices.

In that moment, I knew it wouldn’t be long before we gave up driving altogether and fully embraced the “utility” phase of car ownership—electric, Tesla, period.

I remember about eight years ago, when we first test-drove a Tesla. They made it so easy: they picked us up, and within minutes, we were experiencing Insane Mode. At the time, we hesitated. What about camping trips or long road trips? How would we charge? Spoiler: we never went camping or on any road trips that required that kind of planning.

Fast forward to today, and my wife swears by her Tesla for all things real estate. If you’re not familiar, real estate agents practically live in their cars—it’s their mobile office. If anyone should feel insecure about charging an electric car, it’s a real estate agent. But her Tesla has passed every test.

There’s an exception to all of this, though. If you’re into cars like some people are into horses, then owning one might still be about the experience: the story, the designer, the engine, and, ultimately, the nostalgia.

For me, I can’t cling to the way things were—it’s about where we’re headed. So, hop in, and leave the driving to someone else.