I agree with you on the car thing. Money suddenly was tight the moment I got a car, and no one ever gave a ballpark figure on how much maintenance+insurance+major repairs can seriously hurt your savings.
The only real way to get out of it is to use the car as an asset, a la Kiyosaki's advice. Repeated too many umpteenth times, but it rings true; as long as the car helps increase your wellbeing and income, it's cost is bearable.
I'm certainly more independent, sociable and healthy thanks to my car, so it's worth every penny and the extras I spend on it.