I get the undertow that 'Tom' doesn't feel deprived because he isn't going to the light. He is still here on this plane because he want to be. He thinks it's his mission to see the safety of the current owner, maybe or he is just so in love with the car that he isn't ready to let it go. Either way, looks like you are stuck with a 'ghost'.
Remember, it's his 'life'.
