Optional Extras that are actually worth spending money on
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Car options, to some they are an enjoyable pastime, to others they can be an agonizing last step before taking delivery of their new car.
Picking the wrong option will at best be a waste of money, at worst an irritation for the duration of your ownership. Choosing wisely however can make your daily commute a whole lot more pleasurable and may even help with the resale value come trade-in time.
Most manufacturers like to offer pages of additional equipment that will quickly ramp up the base price, but few are really all that necessary. Many luxury cars can be had with so many extras that they can end up costing half as much again as the starting price.
To help you avoid the common pitfalls we took a look at what the most common options out there were and picked the ones that can make a real difference to your driving experience.
The right engine for the job
The base engine in your typical compact hatchback or saloon is generally going to be puny and weak.
Nobody wants to be rocking back and forth in their seat willing the car to keep momentum up every incline so rather pick something a bit higher up the pecking order.
Fuel economy may even be better in the more powerful models as you will not be working the engine so hard.
Which wheel drive?
Rear-wheel-drive is great if you know your way around a car and plan to attend a few track days.
Front-wheel-drive is easier to control if you push things a bit too far and the vast majority of budget and mid-range cars are so equipped.
If you want the absolute best acceleration off the line or live in an area where snow or bad weather is a regular occurrence than all-wheel-drive is the better bet.
Transmission mission
Manual gearboxes are all the rage in sports cars and journalists continually talk about driver engagement but if you spend your daily commute stuck in traffic an automatic transmission is going to make a whole lot more sense.
Adaptive cruise control
Cruise control is great for longer trips but having to adjust your speed to the car in front negates most of the benefit.
If available it is definitely worth spending a bit extra for an adaptive system as it does this for you and some even work in stop/start traffic situations.
Electric seats with memory and heating
A partially electric seat or one without a memory function is not really worth it.
What you want is a fully electric option with a memory function so that you can get back to the ideal position at the press of a button after someone else has been for a drive.
You may as well add seat heating in too as this will be your favourite feature in winter.
Demisting Windscreen
Not all cars come with this option, no, not the method where you direct hot air onto the base of the windscreen. Every car since the ‘40s has that.
No, we are referring to the built-in heating elements in the windscreen, just like you get in the rear windscreen.
On a freezing cold day when you just want to get going but can see nothing out the front, this is an indispensable option.
Adaptive suspension
Low profile tyres and sporty suspensions are popular on everything from a compact hatchback to a massive SUV.
The cost for the improved looks and handling come in the form of a hard and unforgiving ride. Adaptive suspension can alleviate this and at the push of a button you can have a comfortable ride for when you aren’t trying to set fastest lap times.
Not all systems are equally effective so test it out before you buy.
Upgraded lights
LED headlights can greatly improve visibility at night and automatic high beams benefit other road users too.
LED taillights are also more visible in inclement weather.
Keyless entry and go
Keyless entry is the kind of option that you will wonder how you ever did without.
Not having to fumble for a key fob in the parking lot with arms full of shopping bags is great. Most systems also allow you to start the car with the push of a button once you are inside.
The latest luxury cars such as the BMW 7-Series even allow you to park your car using just your key. That option is not all that essential.
Keyless boot operation
Being able to open the boot with a swipe of your foot however is a good option.
It may sound a bit cheesy but you will be happy you chose it when its miserable outside and you just want to load the boot as fast as possible.
Smartphone Connectivity
Navigation systems are useful but they tend to become outdated over time and we inevitably revert back to our trusty smartphones.
That is why having Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is a great option to have.
These systems allow you to connect your phone directly to the car’s infotainment system and it gives you access to a number of popular apps as well as an up-to-date navigation system.
Sound System
The majority of new cars these days come with a pretty decent basic sound system.
Unless you are looking at a bare-bones entry-level car there is really very little point in shelling out for that 1000w premium audio system.
Head up Display
A Head Up Display is a great way to keep your eyes focused on the road while still seeing important information like speed limits, navigation directions and current speed.
These systems vary greatly in ability so a budget offering may not be worth the money.
Folding mirrors
Automatically folding side mirrors are a great addition to a car especially if you live in a crowded city.
Some also come with heating elements which are a boon on frosty mornings too.