do freshmen need cars?

You honestly don't. I guess there will be times where you want to go somewhere and you'll probably say "Damn I wish I had a car" but to cover necessities, you don't.

(My opinion)

I just finished my freshman year and at first when my parents told me I couldn't bring my car down I was mad because I really thought I would desperately need my own transportation... But honestly you don't need a car. No one drives to class unless you live far off campus, there are bus routes on campus and one route even takes you to target. In my experience, friends and sorority sisters were always were more than willing to drive me around and/or let me drive their car. A car is not a necessity and most people don't have one.