Choosing Optional Extras for Your New Car
One of the most appealing aspects of buying a new car is the ability to choose exactly what colour, trim and accessories you want. Some options will not only make the car more pleasant to drive in (such as air conditioning or a CD player), but will also make it much easier to sell. However, other options (such as electric mirrors) may be useful, but won't add any extra value. It's a good idea to simply choose the extras you really need, rather than what you think might make you more money when it comes to resale.
Some of the most commonly specified options include:
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning not only makes the in-car environment more comfortable throughout the year, but it will make your car more attractive to potential buyers when you come to resell. However, A/C does tend to sap power, so it may be better suited to larger-engined models.
Alloy Wheels
Alloy wheels are pretty much an essential item for sports cars, hot hatches and prestige cars. However, do be warned - they also tend to be very attractive to thieves.
Anti-Lock Brakes
Anti-lock brakes come as standard on most new cars, and are definitely worth choosing as an option if not.
Automatic Gearbox
Automatic gearboxes are a good option for large-engined luxury and executive cars, but less so for smaller cars. Avoid them altogether on sports models.
Central Locking
Central locking often comes as standard; if not, buy as an option if you think it will be useful, but bear in mind that it will not add extra value to your car.
CD Player
Nowadays, every new or used car buyer expects vehicles to be equipped with a CD player. It is always a good idea to choose this option if your new car does not include it as standard.
When it comes to luxury cars, most people expect high levels of equipment, and so not adding them when you buy the car may reduce its value when you come to sell it later on.
Metallic Paint
Dull coloured cars are often difficult to resell, and metallic paint makes any car more saleable. However, despite this, it does not tend to increase its value.
Parking Sensors
Parking sensors are a relatively cheap option and a worthwhile buy.
Electric Mirrors and Windows
Like central locking, electric mirror and windows often come as a standard. Although selecting them as an option will not add any extra value to your car, don't be put off choosing them if you think they'll be useful to you.
Satellite Navigation
Although SatNav is an excellent tool to have, it is often very poor value if you choose it as an additional option, as you will rarely see any sort of return for your money. Consider buying a hand-held unit instead, which can be moved from car to car.
Trim Options
Choosing flashy interior or exterior colours may not necessarily reduce the car's value, but it does often limit the number of potential buyers.
Leather upholstery is usually expected for larger, more luxurious cars, but as a rule is wasted on the typical small or family hatch.
Xenon Lights
Rarely a good choice; xenon lights are very expensive to fix when they go wrong, and can actually make a car less desirable to potential buyers.
Before you start going through the options list, it's worth checking the different trim levels to see what equipment is offered as standard for each model.
You may find it is cheaper to buy the trim model that already includes a particular piece of equipment, rather than adding it as an optional extra to a cheaper model.
