This is hands down one of the best things iv read in a long time! Its strange at first but, you realize where they are going with it later into the article
On one hand, at its most basic form, the car is of course just a conveyance 'appliance' insomuch a washing machine is just a cleaning 'appliance' - if you use that car just for going from A to B in a purely functional way.
The washing machine is only a good analogue for a car if you agree that a car is simply another single-function appliance - in the same way as your house is. You can live in your car, but you can't drive/race a house (unless it's a caravan).
On the other hand, you could see your car as an entertainment system, a social tool, a piece of art, etc.
I'm not a true 'petrolhead' though, as I only have one car, and research what I need before I buy - just like any other appliance