If it weren't for some late night reading, I would have ended up with an E without anti-lock brakes in Washington state. Yikes! Why Honda - in 2004 - wouldn't put ABS brakes on each & every vehicle they make is ludicrous. Fortunately, I was able to negotiate some more and am ending up with an EX for only $35 a month more on my lease.

Because some of us like to do our own driving, braking, etc.
I didn't go with EX for this reason.
Not everyone likes ABS, auto tranny, traction control, etc.
It should be offered as an option, not slapped on each and every vehicle.

ABS sucks wind...I don't need a machine to tell me when I can and cannot stop. ( maybe I'm biased because of the company van I drive, a '98 GMC has the most horrible ABS ) I'm glad I got an LX...four wheel disc and no ABS, and no stinkin' automatic tranny.

I don't pretend to be a good driver and I think ABS is one of greatest safety features other than seat belts and air bags. When I was looking to buy a new vehicle I checked out the Matrix and found I had to go with a $1600 package including a sunroof in order to get ABS. Not only do I have no use for a sunroof, I should not have to pay this much extra for what should be a basic safety feature for most drivers....stay in your lane...no swerve. I bought the E and the extra bucks will buy a full set of rims and snowtires which I also need. Yes, there are a few good drivers who can do better than ABS but I'm not one of them. Look at the new technology....I'm 63 and still drive a standard but I see very clearly than my next vehicle will be auto (probably CVT) because of all the potential benefits both in gas mileage, handling and safety.

You want the bells and whistles, you pay for them. Folks who don't want them, don't pay for them. Plain and simple. A lot of cars out there do not have ABS. I shopped out minivans prior to buying the E. The highly touted Toyota Sienna still has drum brakes. Go figure. The ABS was the feature that made my purchase of the EX a clear choice over the DX. The extra cost was really not that much, and you get a few other niceities too. I really don't think Honda is being unreasonable on this one.