Didn't say that he didn't have a car - just that he didn't splurge on buying a new car every 2-4 years, like many of our peers do. I understand their rationale because they want the warranty, but still, trading in your car for something newer ever x years will cost money.
If you can "survive" driving a 10-15 year old car, and have some mechanical aptitude to do regular maintenance, then that's A LOT of money saved.
Having grown up in small rural towns, your comment makes me suspect you may not be familiar with what rural America looks like.
Also having known quite a few electricians, I have a hard time imagining one lugging all their equipment on a bus or subway.