How to avoid those ‘essential’ new car optional extras pitfalls
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Buying a new car can be an exciting experience, but when you start scanning down the options list with the salesman breathing down your neck pointing at ever-pricier add-ons, things can soon turn sour.
Should you opt for that dayglo yellow paint scheme and red leather interior or perhaps those massive 20-inch alloys and 1000w sound system is a better bet? How about the entire list of available driver aids that will leave you with nothing more to do than check your email on the way home?
Relying on the salesman may have you driving out of the dealership in the most expensive Mazda 3 in history.
To avoid these pitfalls, we take a look at some of the more popular options out there and see whether they make financial sense as well as assess their level of usefulness. We start off with some of the best options and end with ones you can really do without.
Let’s get started…
Air-conditioning
Unless you are buying an absolute bargain-basement car like the Dacia Sandero, air-conditioning should be part of the standard equipment.
If not, consider ponying up the extra few hundred pounds as you will find a need for it more often than you think, even in our climate.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Cruise control is good, adaptive cruise control is much better. Having to constantly cancel then re-engage your speed setting on the motorway may seem like a first world problem but it can become rather frustrating.
Adaptive cruise control adjusts to the speed of the car in front and even comes to a full stop in certain models, all you have to do is sit there and fume about the terrible traffic.
Bluetooth and Smartphone Connectivity
Most modern cars will have some sort of infotainment system, check for Bluetooth connectivity as this allows you to make phone calls through the system as well as stream your music library.
Some cars also offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration which allows you to connect your smartphones apps to the touchscreen.
Upgraded headlights
Most cars offer a decent set of headlights nowadays although if you regularly drive along unlit country roads then a set of LED headlights can make a big difference to safety levels.
Auto-on lights are mostly standard in mid-range cars these days but they are a worthwhile addition to an entry-level car as they can also save you battery from going flat if you inadvertently leave them on.
Keyless entry
Fumbling for your keys with hands full of shopping bags can be a pain, keyless entry and ignition systems can be a real help in these situations.
Some cars also come with hands-free boot opening, you merely swipe your foot under the car and the boot pops open, it may look a little strange but well worth it when the rain is pelting down on you in the car park.
Heated seats and more
Heated seats can be a real boon in the middle of winter but don’t get too pulled in by all the optional extras as some cars even offer heated, armrests, centre consoles and steering wheels. These are somewhat less necessary.
What you may want to consider are a heated windscreen which can make icy winter mornings a much more pleasant experience.
Powered front seats – memory function a must
Powered front seats are not really worth the effort unless they come with a memory function, this way you can quickly revert to your setting without having to fumble around with the controls each time someone else has driven your car.
Panoramic Sunroof – instead of convertible top
The great British summer is often punctuated by the even greater British wind, rain and grey sky.
Convertibles are rarely useful in such situations whereas a panoramic sunroof gives you a feeling of airiness and light more of the time.
Convertibles also tend to attract higher insurance premiums than their saloon and estate counterparts.
Adaptive suspension
Suspension and dampers that can adjust to road and driving conditions may make sense on paper but unless you regularly attend track days or enjoy bouncing around country lanes with an over firm suspension, a normal non-adaptive setup should suffice for just about any daily driving situation. Yes, some systems do make for a more comfortable ride on the road too but check first to see if you can actually notice any difference in the ‘comfort’ mode before committing.
Automatic Gearboxes
Large luxury cars tend to be fitted exclusively with dual-clutch or automatic gearboxes, not having to shift gears, especially in stop-start traffic makes commuting that much more pleasant.
But don’t discount the humble old manual gearbox just yet, they can make a car more engaging to drive if you are into that sort of thing, and even if you aren’t, opting for one will save you thousands which can go towards
Head-up Display
Keeping your eyes on the road while still being able to see your speed and navigation info can make for a safer driving experience.
Be wary of some systems though which only offer very basic functionality or are hard to see in direct sunlight.
Parking assist systems
Finding parking in tight city streets can be a frustrating experience, trying to back into a narrow space only adds to the stress levels.
Most cars offer park distance control and rear-view cameras that can make things a bit easier but if you are looking at a luxury saloon then try out the autonomous parking system if one is available as it can really make parallel a simple procedure.
Common sense is still required though.
Autonomous Driving Assists
Parking assist systems can be useful if you live in the city but now there are numerous collision avoidance and lane assist systems to choose from too.
These systems warn you of impending dangers and some even apply the brakes to avoid an accident. While they have their uses, some can be a bit intrusive and your common sense is still required to assess the road ahead.
Try it before you buy it.
Navigation
Integrated navigation systems are great when they are new and updated maps tend to only be offered for free in the first few years of ownership.
Try a nav system in a 5-year old car and you will soon realise that the free app on your phone does a much better job anyway.
With the aforementioned smartphone connectivity that most cars offer, you can link it directly to the infotainment screen too.
Upgraded sound systems
There was a time when even expensive cars came with only four speakers and a poor quality radio, now though a basic Fiesta comes with a sound system that sounds pretty impressive out of the box.
So, ticking the 25-speaker audio upgrade box may not be as necessary as it once was, plus, how often will you get to belt out your favourite tunes at maximum volume anyway?
Voice Control
You – ‘Call Maureen’
Car – ‘Changing radio station’
You – ‘No, no, I said call Maureen.’
Car – ‘Reclining your seat’
And so it goes. Few voice control systems work as intended and while they are getting better, unless it is a no-cost option it should be skipped over for something you may actually use more than once.
Night Vision
Night vision systems offer increased visibility in extremely dark conditions, or at least that’s what they claim.
You will most likely use this expensive gadget a grand total of two times.
The first will be when you play with it on the way home from the dealership and the second and final time will be when you show your friends.
Massaging Seats
Heated seats are one thing, ones that massage tend to be slightly less useful.
Unless you are in the market for the very best luxury cars, massaging seats tend to do nothing more than gently irritate you every time you turn them on.
Rather spend the money on an actual massage.
Large Alloys
Big diameter alloys may make your car look much cooler but the downsides are a harder ride, more expensive tyres and a fidgety steering wheel on rougher road surfaces.