I guess this is where im new school. You have waaay more chances of a cable binding or sticking then fly by wire failing. People are trying to say that even a cell phone signal could cause enough electromagnetic waves to disrupt the signal. That is BS! Think of how many "electromagnetic waves" an ignition system produce! And I hear you on the electric pumps I had to change one out on a cobalt not too long ago. We had to order the whole column basically. Some things though I agree are ridiculous. Mercedes Benz on the SL and E-Class now uses Brake-By-Wire. Take a look at a Lexus LS460....soon enough we wont be doing any of the driving. It is said that cars now have more wiring in them then the Apollo did. If its fact or not I dunno.
My first car was a 4 cyl Danger Ranger!