[xoxoxoBruce]

In theory six airbags should be more protection, if they work properly, when you need them. The down side is they're $1000 apiece if they get set off accidently or stolen. Of course it's better to have them than not, but all these bells and whistles come at a price.

The stability control means there is a complicated system of sensors and computers talking to each other and making decisions whether to override your inputs or not. It's doing this while living in a more hostile environment than most electronic systems ever see. Sooner or later, hopefully much later, some part of the system will fail, usually in a fail safe mode. But trouble shooting those systems is difficult and expensive, partly because the software is proprietary and secret. Sure it can be decoded by hackers, but it can't be used in unlicensed diagnostic equipment, putting you at the mercy of the manufacturer(dealer).

Not to cast aspersions on your new car, just a general observation on how complicated they have gotten and the costs. There's no choice either, it applies to every car made these days. Somebody always pipes up, I've got seven bazillion miles on my fluffmobile and never had a lick of trouble. Sure, but the people who have aren't saying anything.

I have an admittedly have a jaundiced eye because the circles I travel in, and publications I read, are full of stories about the exceptions like $2800 Audi head gaskets, $1000 computers (at least a dozen in most cars), and a car totaled by the insurance company because the seats were stolen and it would cost too much to replace them.