Buying a New Car

[Jeeves]

Both of the Fabulous Furys are driving new Honda Insights. Hybrids. They are bragging about 50+ MPG. I hadda get me one, too. Here's the story

[Schuarta]

Thank your lucky stars you haven't bought "fly-by-wire" Toyotas.

[Jeeves]

[Mrs. Fury]

We also have a friend that has had one for over eight years with no problems.

[Schuarta]

Jeeves, I want to be in town but I couldn't get there in 2009, Youngest daughter (39) caught a concussion at work. On workers comp March-August, wife caring for her in Vancouver. On unemployment August to December, wife still too worried to travel. Found a new job Dec. 21st, now seems fine. Hope to visit NOLA again second half 2010.

Re fly-by-wire. In use in virtually all new military aircraft and some commercial, and now some cars. What it means, simply, is that things you always thought to be connected together (i.e. gas pedal to engine, or brake pedal to brakes) are no longer so. Connect the gas pedal to computer, and the computer to the engine, and you get many benefits. Engine runs at optimum air/gas mixture, max possible mpg, easy & accurate cruise control, least amount of polution gases. A car computer has "inputs" from virtually "thing" in the car, switches, doors, seat belts, sensors, etc. Computer runs on software. Software written by human beings.

Now here's the "catch". Has anyone ever encountered a home or office computer that has never, ever had a "glitch", or has never, ever required rebooting? I certainly haven't. A car computer (and I certainly have a serious one in my Buick Lucerne) could go forever without an operator observed problem. On the other hand, with one software error, with the right combination of input data, the computer could "freak" and do something akin to holding the gas pedal to the floor. Forget about gas pedal "shims" or new floor mats, this Toyota thing is SOFTWARE!

[Mrs. Fury]

[Jeeves]

Hey, Art! Let us know when you're coming so we can get together. Mrs. F. has a lot of pull at Middendorf's, so that will be a stop.

We've done a couple of Day Rides this weekend. Will post here in a little bit.

Hoping your daughter is doing well. I think I have a little pull up yonder considering all the motorcycle cop accidents I've lived through, so Ill put in a good word for her. Adios, amigo!