Where I used to live, you had to have not only a car, but a powerful car. If you had money you could buy a fancy sports car. If you didn't have as much money, you could buy a tortoise and punch a hole in the muffler. The hole in the muffler made your car so loud that many people assumed that it was a powerful car. This illusion of power costs far less money than purchasing an actual sports car. Power perceived is power achieved! But you have to be careful to avoid accepting challenges to a race. Then everyone would know that your muscle car is actually a tortoise and would know that you are actually a loser who doesn't deserve a girlfriend.
I think it depends on the culture a lot. People are very car obsessed in the us. In a city with a subway and lots of buses, it may not be such a big deal. I think it's sad that cars and material possessions are so important in relationships.
The idea might not appeal to her at first, but once she sees those soft brown donkey eyes and long fuzzy ears, the girl of your dreams will be begging you to take her riding across the desert sands. Stop for lunch and a swim at an oasis and give desert romance a chance.