When you can’t get what you want, you teach yourself to want what you can get and then preach to everyone else that they should want it too. This applies to many other things too beyond just cars.
It’s not that the criticism of private cars isn’t valid, but not having one because you can’t afford it isn’t virtuous. It’s only virtuous when you could easily have one but choose not to.
never heard that spin before. the cost usually doesn’t come into it because it’s easier to point at how it affects infrastructure, housing, social spaces and convenience.
i really wish i didn’t need a car, but the train only leaves every two hours.