# A $100,000 car with a governor ... why?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-100-000-car-with-a-governor-why/333148>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [November 29, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-100-000-car-with-a-governor-why/333148 "2005-11-29T01:18:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-100-000-car-with-a-governor-why/333148/21 "2005-11-29T13:25:36Z")

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> [@jayjay](#):
>
> Does anyone who isn’t a professional racecar driver ever get anywhere NEAR those top speeds on any kind of regular basis (or even any kind of irregular basis)? Who cares if the top speed is limited by a governor if it’s at a point where the average person who buys the car is never going to hit?
> 
> Geez…I can’t even imagine going 155 mph in a car. I get nervous at 80…

Wuss. I’ve seen an indicated 140 on two wheels (just to find out what it was like, you understand). Mind you, my then-ladyfriend’s teenage daughter who was happily sat on the back at 125 had some cojones, or whatever the female equivalent is.

And then I bitch about getting ticketed at a recorded 94.75mph the one time it happened. 😃

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**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-100-000-car-with-a-governor-why/333148/22 "2005-11-29T15:22:24Z")

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> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#):
>
> That’s what roadblocks are for.

And deer!

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**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-100-000-car-with-a-governor-why/333148/23 "2005-11-29T18:59:58Z")

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> [@astro](#):
>
> What does BMW say about the warranty for this 6 figure car for anyone changing the controller chip. I’m guessing it will turn to poo.

Well, I would too, but for the speed junkies that are likely to do this sort of thing that’s about the most minimal modification they’re going to make. After placing major components in the suspension, intake, exhaust, camshaft, brakes, et cetera I don’t think warranty issues will apply. FWIW, though, the engine controller is just an enclosed IC chip; you can replace it with the original in under a minute.

Stranger

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**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-100-000-car-with-a-governor-why/333148/24 "2005-11-29T22:15:43Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> A $100,000 car with a governor … why?

If I spend $100k on a car it had better come with a governor, a couple of senators and a Rockette of my choosing.

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