Buying a car can be either a fun, exciting, and possibly memorable experience. It can also be an experience that can cost you thousands extra if you aren’t careful with how you choose. Choosing the car is a dilemma within itself, because there is so much to consider, based on what your needs are. What makes the biggest difference in how much you will be writing a check for in the end before you sign your name is the options list. This is where the game of buying a car gets serious. The Salesman pitches every reason why you should have this option, or that option, and corners you until you are coerced into complying with his suggestions. The only thing the buyer has on their side when buying a car is knowledge, and experience. Here is a list of 5 Do’s and Dont’s that will help you win the battle against the salesman when it comes to running through the options list.
DO: Factory Rims:
Okay, so you may think that this is a bit of an oversight. But let’s be honest. Appearance is a huge part of anyone’s agenda, whether you want to believe it or not. So, Though it may be the cheaper route to for-go those alloy rims in favor of the cheaper hub-cap imitation, don’t do it. It may not be noticeable at first, but the rims of a car can be a real head-turner, and if you’re willing to spend the little extra for the authentic forged alloys, you can make your ride look that much better, and in most cases, you won’t have to spend much anywhere else. Plus, they usually last longer. Along with durability, factory alloys will generally add to the overall resale value of the car, making them a good investment.
DO: Navigation
We live in a hustle and bustle kind of world, and today, it isn’t considered very safe, or legal for that matter, to flip open a paper map. Yes most phones today have GPS capability, and you can pick up third-party systems from your local Best Buy or Wal-mart, but today’s in-car navigation systems have been re-worked and re-fined into simple, hands-free, easy to use interfaces, that have come to meet the credibility of what most brands charge for on-board navigation. In nearly all cases, today’s systems integrate all the functions of the vehicle into one screen, and make driving as easy as speaking a command, without having to dial in any addresses, phone numbers, or even radio stations. This means that driving is much safer, and much easier to handle. Along with the added safety that today’s on-board systems offer, technology is only getting better, and today you are getting more for your money.
DO: LED lights
More expensive than traditional bulb-lights? Yes. Worth the minimal expense? Definitely. Let’s be honest, who wants to spend time and money repeatedly changing out light bulbs every time they burn out. LED lights tend to last nearly 30 years, which translates to plenty of money and time saved from having to take chunks of time out of your day to change a burned out bulb. Not only is it easier to maintain, LED bulbs light up the appearance of the car, and are much safer than traditional bulb lights. Do yourself and your wallet a favor; go for this option. It’s worth it.
DO: Power Seats
When you buy a car, the onlything that occurs after you drive it off of the lot is depreciation. In order to benefit you as the driver both now and in the long run, when it comes time to sell it or trade it in, you want to maintain residual value of the car as much as you can. This option in general makes driving the vehicle convenient for you, and comfortable for both you and your passenger. And when it’s time to get rid of the car, this option can add a nice sum of money to the overall value of it.
DO: Power Locks
Convenience for the buyer is a big deal these days, so it’s important to know what options can fulfill the convenience factor when you’re in the market for a new vehicle. Power locks are a convenience feature that is essentially an industry standard for new cars coming off of the line today. The only place you might still find manual locks is on the cheapest trim levels of the lowest priced cars. Power locks enable the convenience of giving both the driver and their passengers instant access to the vehicle. It’s not only easy and convenient, it is also a good option that will help the car hold a little better value when it comes time to trade it in or sell it.
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Now that you have a pretty good understanding of the options you’ll want to go for when looking at the options list, it’s time to flip the script and take a look at what not to go for. Much of the time, you’ll see some of these options, and while in some cases they add aesthetic value to the overall appearance of the car, they definitely don’t help in terms of practicality, or overall necessity for that matter. Here’s a list of options DON’Ts to look for.
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DON’T: Running Boards:
Got your eyes on that SUV? If you do, you may think that it’s a bit high off of the ground. That means you’ll want to throw running boards on the sides so it’s easier to climb in to. Here’s a great idea that will save you money, and unnecessary accessories: don’t do it. If the factory believed that the SUV was too tall, they would have thrown in running boards as a standard option. However, many drivers neglect that door sills can come in great use when it comes to climbing into their truck or SUV. unlike cars, the doorsills of Trucks are much beefier, and a bit wider, which gives them greater functionality. And, if you plan on doing some off-roading, then running boards are definitely not an option. Hit a rock or side swipe a tree and these ridiculous pieces of tubing will get mangled and possibly interfere with your ability to drive after your mishap.
DON’T: Heated Seats
Heated seats can be nice to have, but they really are not needed. They make no real difference on a cold day, and they cost extra to put in as an option. Unless they come standard on your vehicle, don’t spend the extra money on them. If they come in a bundle, that is more of a reason to avoid them; most of those options might just add up to an even bigger waste of money. Stick with the traditional heating system that comes with the car. It’s practical, and it’ll keep you warm.
DON’T: Special, or Limited Edition models
Does anyone really notice the difference? Special Edition models are nothing more than the same car, just with several options that you don’t need in the first place. The only reason it’s considered “Special” is because it has a badge that convinces you that for some reason, that particular model is much better than the same, much cheaper priced model next to it. In other words, don’t believe everything you see when you look at a car. Special editions are usually filled to the brim with unnecessary options and are usually over-priced. The bottom line? There’s nothing special about a special edition.
DON’T: Undercoating/Rust-proofing
It may sound like a sensible, and viable option, but don’t let the title fool you. Rust-proofing and undercoating generally cost thousands extra, and are completely unnecessary for your car. It sounds silly that this is an option don’t, but you can prevent rust and corrosion from overtaking your vehicle by simply paying attention to it. If you wash it when it’s dirty, and touch it up with a nice waxing every so often, you can deliver the same protective measures to your car’s finish for thousands less than you think. Rust-proofing generally does not live up to its name, and can mislead you into thinking that as long as you have your car, you should be scot-free from the worries of corrosion and rust. Today’s cars are finished with solid paints and durable, dependable clear coats that usually don’t require more than occasional TLC. Don’t waste your money.
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