Yes. It was a remake. However, both movies have different twists and I'd have to say the older one's better. I like both of the films as well. I have them both too.
As far as the car thing goes. The character is suffering from a severe bipolar/split personality disorder that usually just comes and goes. But when he loses the trust of someone he had truly loved it caused his wall between the two to break down. They also might have been milking it for no reason, but giving the following scenes after it, I'd say it was more build up.