If I weren't involved in a relationship and had no plans of being in one then I would ditch the car in a second. Cars are more social requirement in the USA than a true necessity. I think there are very few people in the States who would be fine with someone arriving at a date on bike. Many people would see this as a sign of poverty, instability, or immaturity, but at least hinting at social deviance.

As much as I love my partner, I think things would fall apart pretty quickly with the 'stress' of not having a car, and I don't think we would have started dating if I hadn't had one. Is it cynical of me to think so, or realistic? Maybe I'm not doing her justice. But I feel that part (most?) of what people love about other people is what they can do for them, and cars can factor into this in significant ways.