To be clear, I agree that Freenom's behavior is a scam. I've been on board with that the whole time.
The car analogy seems questionable-at-best to me though, yeah it doesn't have the same elements. A car isn't hard to switch out, and you're not adding any value to it by using it. At worst you're right back where you started. The house analogy does seem better because it's hard to switch.
Agree it wasn't the best analogy. How about a storefront instead?
Realtor gives you a great deal on a nice location in downtown. You spend months putting it together, making it look good, advertising. Opening Day comes around, and if more than 100 people come he tells you you now owe him 10x the rent or he's kicking you out.
The car analogy seems questionable-at-best to me though, yeah it doesn't have the same elements. A car isn't hard to switch out, and you're not adding any value to it by using it. At worst you're right back where you started. The house analogy does seem better because it's hard to switch.