Where Have All the Cool Cars Gone?

I grew up in a time when cars had character. When you drove down the street, you could instantly tell a Chevrolet from a Pontiac, a Mustang from a Camaro—and often even the year. Muscle cars, sports cars, and quirky European imports weren’t just transportation; they were statements. Designers and engineers poured personality into every curve, every grille, every exhaust note, believing that style and performance could win your heart.

Fast forward to today, and I can walk through a parking lot and struggle to tell one SUV from the next if you cover up the badges. Crossovers dominate, sizes blur together, and styling is so safe that every vehicle seems to melt into the next. They even have a hard time coming up with names anymore—Q5, GX, Mach-E… they all sound like random letters and numbers, not something that sparks imagination.

And here I am, thinking about buying a new car. I love driving, and I love unique cars. But the reality is sobering: there are very few options today that truly stand out. Even my dependable VW station wagon, which some might call “boring,” suddenly takes on a new kind of charm. I’ve come to the sad realization that maybe—just maybe—my station wagon will be considered a classic 20–30 years from now, not because it screams power or style, but because there aren’t many of them left. Its uniqueness comes from scarcity, not audacity.

The thought that my “boring” wagon might someday be collectible feels bittersweet, a quiet acknowledgment that true uniqueness is increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape.

So, here’s my question to the auto industry—and to anyone who loves driving: when did practicality replace passion? When did conformity replace creativity? I hope that someday soon, we’ll see a resurgence of cars with soul, where design, performance, and even memorable names matter as much as fuel efficiency and crash ratings. Until then, I’ll keep appreciating my little VW, savoring the irony that in a world of sameness, sometimes boring is the most unique thing of all.