What purpose would flying cars serve? Aren't helicopters and planes technically flying cars or flying buses?

Would a flying car be a more short range flying vehicle as opposed to helicopters and planes? Would they fly lower? If they fly lower then how do we propel the car upward enough without having negative effects on the ground? Safety issues? How about fuel and its effects on our climate? Would these flying vehicles be more fuel efficient than a normal ground vehicle? How do you suppose we make that happen? Propelling a vehicle forward requires less energy than lifting it upwards and then moving it forward doesn't it?

Just a few questions off the top of my head.