The Electra is not behaving as expected when Greta gets in. She gets the sense immediately that her car is going to be giving her trouble. So she obliges by engaging the gas pedal fervidly. She can be seen bouncing in her seat and begging the old Buick to start up... Greta is unable to afford getting a tuneup as was advised, & decides that she will take a chance. That's probably not the best idea, as she appears to be stranded. Let's enjoy the struggle.