Yeah if we could do away with all the safety crap like anti-lock brakes, traction control, and engine management (the BS that shuts down the engine if the tires spin too much on takeoff), we could get the price tag back down to an affodable amount. But then again, we'd have to teach people how to drive, and that's too much work.
I always say "Dont child-proof the house; house-proof the child". Works for cars, too.
EPA needs to keep thier damn nosses out of the auto industry as well. I get better milage without all the emmisions crap, but my trucks will never pass a sniffer...........