In my time I have owned only 2 cars.
Once was a ratty 1958 Caddy Limo, in deathtrap-poor shape that we used to run around Ft Lee with as many dudes as we could pack into it...but that bit the dust after being struck by a delivery truck.
The other was a 1982 Dodge Aries, bought in 1988 with 55K miles on it, broke down every 300miles, blew the trans on day 95 of a 90 day warranty....piece of garbage I eventually traded in for a 1989 Tomos Golden Bullet.
In Maryland, where I used to live...owning a car means inspection, emissions, insurance, repairs, and MVA fees out the whaz, and can cost way over $3,000 a year just to keep in on the road....hell, you could buy a HOUSE for what it costs to "road" a car in Baltimore for 3-5 years.
Not to mention having your plates and inspection stickers stolen off it on a regular basis by folks too poor to beat the inspection/emissions racket.
For a moped, other than vandalism damage, it costs like $15 every three years.
The choice seemed quite clear to me when I was 15, and not much has changed since....besides, I love to ride.
Right now the only car we got is my roommates Olds Alero, and that things a deathtrap with severe front brake system defects, and is in litigation for a lemon-law buyback.
I'll stick with mopeds, thanx....to me a car's just a money pit.
-Ree