Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : WDC/Sandisk Corporation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steve 667 who wrote (20048)	4/11/2001 10:58:09 PM
From: Craig Freeman	Respond to of 60323

Steve, re: "... get a 5-speed manual and impress your friends." There are two buttons on the steering wheel of the IS300 that will shift through 5 gears as fast as most people can do the job with a clutch. The accelerator pedal is "fly-by-wire" -- using an onboard computer. If you floor it and forget to manually shift down first, the computer waits a fraction of a second and then automatically takes you down one gear. If you hesitate on an upshift and pass redline (6,200 RPM), it upshifts one gear for safety. Otherwise, it's a manual in sheep's clothing. Take a test drive and you'll see what I mean. If you pull a fast turn, the TRAC feature senses when you are approaching the 0.91G skidpad limit and starts alternating acceleration and braking one selected wheels to keep you from losing control (similar to a new feature in the latest Porsche). So, unless you disable the computer and try to commit suicide, you are guaranteed a wild but safe ride. IMHO, the IS300 is a perfect example of modern computer technology in a real-world application. I liken the IS300 to a race horse that I rode one afternoon when I was 19. It is fast, responsive, and smart enough not to run into a wall. Both are happiest when sprinting or running flat out. The main difference is that the horse, beautiful and strong as it was, couldn't seat four and fell far short of 143mph on the track. Craig