Ed Huntress wrote:

(...)

These innovations are great to think about. Then it comes time to analyze
something gone wrong...

One More Thing To Break.

Speaking of which, my wife's Sonata died today -- the battery died because
her passenger left the door ajar at lunchtime -- and I was freaked when I
went over to school to jump start it. The intrusion alarm was feebly wailing
a plaintive cry, like a baby animal that was being torn apart by a raptor or
something, and I couldn't get it to stop. There was just enough juice left
in the battery to give out that feeble squeak, but not enough to react to
the remote. When I connected the jumper cables it went into full blast --
with my head under the hood and about 18 inches from the alarm. Jesus. I
didn't know I could still jump like that.

Queue sympathetic headache. Ouch!

I want something I can fix with a screwdriver and a box of tools I could put
under my arm. A Lotus 6 or 7 might do it. No doors, even.

I've owned 'simple' cars.

I *will not* go back to carburetors, for I have *seen* the glory
of fuel injection on a cold and dreary morning!

I *will not* return to breaker points for I have known the
power of the Fat White Electronic Ignition Spark!

I *will not* slide back to the days of the bias ply tire
for I have sat in awe over the Indestructible Radial Ply!

Can I get an Amen, brothers and sisters.

--Winston -- Happy Herbert Akroyd Stuart Day to all
and to all a good night.