 At Moe 's Tavern , Moe informs Homer and his friends that one of them must be a designated driver , and Barney loses the choosing draw . After Barney drives the drunken men home in Homer 's car , Homer allows him to use it to drive himself home , expecting Barney to return it the following morning . In his distressed state , Barney disappears with the car . Two months later , Barney returns to Moe 's Tavern , unable to recall where he left the car . Homer later receives a letter from the New York City government , which informs him that his car has been found parked in the World Trade Center plaza . Homer reveals to the family that he had once been to New York before when he was 17 years old and had a horrible experience . Marge and the children persuade Homer to go retrieve the car and he reluctantly agrees . 
