But most of the time the car is a very expensive ornament sat on the drive depreciating money
Ditto.
When living in central London, I didn't need a car. In fact, it would have been more of a pain than a convenience.
Now I'm living rurally, it's a completely different story. Yes, most of the time the car is an ornament, not to mention a significant part of our annual outgoings, but it is sadly needed (yes, I know we've had the 'need' conversation on here!) I am hoping to be car free next year sometime but that really depends on us being able to move to a sufficiently equipped town. I really don't like being dependant on a car.