Also, I just read an article about some new computer controlled braking coming out on high end Mercedes Benzs. It is supposed to (eventually) show up on all their models.
I don't remember all the features, but it was extensive -
like -
1> The basic electronic brake force distribution which varies front/rear portioning based on decceleration (unlike the old "fixed" portioning valves) [The IS300 has this].
2> Side to side brake force distribution which changes bias when braking around a corner.
3> The system can discretely apply the brakes lightly to keep the discs dry when driving in the rain.
4> A "soft" mode that makes the car stop more smoothly in stop and go traffic.
5> "Electronic Crumple Zone" where the brakes are applied if laser/radar/sonar (whatever) detects an imminent front end collision.
(What next - automatic full throttle if you are about to be rear-ended).
6> etc, etc.
Anyways - my point is that the manufacturers are in the process of giving more and more control of the driving over to computers.
Many of these new "features" have really good ideas in safety and comfort improvement...
*BUT* us drivers used to more manual controls will freak out when we feel like the car is not doing exactly what we asked it to do.
Once we all start learning to use these "features" it will feel unsafe to drive an older car that doesn't have all the computer aids.
For instance, many of us are getting used to ABS and have retrained to think "full brake pedal in a panic stop". Well, if you do this in a non ABS car, you could cause a dangerous wheel lockup.
It is scary, but we are getting to the point where all drivers need to think "what kind of computers does this car have... how should I drive it?"
Something to put this in perspective -
most modern jet aircraft are "fly by wire" where a computer actually controls the flight control surfaces, and the pilot just sends "suggestions" to the computer.
One of (many) benefits of this computer flight control is that the computer maintains 1g load on the passengers when doing banked turns. You take this for granted until one day when the pilot insists on switching to manual control mode and suddenly everyone feels like they are floating or squished in their seats as the plane turns.
It is a fact of modern life that you are putting your safety in the hands of some little computers when you get in a car, plane, etc.
Your computers are trying to keep you from crashing in your vehicle, but what do you do if the computers crash?!