It seems that you misinterpret quite a lot aspects on western social perceptions and phenomena.
In the 80s and 90s, people who own a car are defined as 'normal' and people who don't are defined as 'abnormal'.
Anyone would feel more superior of being labelled as a 'normal' person??
Yes. I am talking about owning a car or not.
People who own a car do always leave their cars at home and take public transport if it's sufficiently available.
Owning a car doesn't mean you have to drive it all the time.
But that's already a very outdated mind...
I am telling you, no one thinks that way anymore nowadays.