From Side Air Bags to Run-Flat Tires: The New Car Options That are Worth It & Those You Should Avoid
by www.SixWise.com
There's a lot more to buying a car than simply picking out
the model and the color. Automakers are coming out with an
increasingly vast array of options aimed to make your car
safer, smarter, flashier, more comfortable and more fun.
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Always put safety before comfort or entertainment when
it comes to choosing options.
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Sorting through all of these options is no easy task, particularly
if you're on a budget. Often, consumers opt for options that
increase comfort while forgoing those that could save their
lives -- a big mistake, according to Consumer Reports.
A 2005 survey by the non-profit group found that some safety
features recommended by Consumer Reports' car experts were
not rated as very important by a large number of respondents.
"These findings indicate that car buyers need to be
better-educated about key safety features that have been shown
to be highly effective in reducing auto-related accidents
and deaths," says Rik Paul, Consumer Reports' automotive
editor.
New Car Option Necessities
When you buy your next car, here is the list of options that
are must-haves:
Side Airbags: Most cars nowadays have air bags,
but not all include side-impact airbags to protect you if
you're hit from the side.
Anti-Lock Brakes: If it doesn't come with your car,
be sure to get them. It will help you to keep your steering
under control when you have to brake rapidly.
Curtain Airbags: These will protect your head in
the event of a collision (an increasingly important option
if you're in a smaller car, given the large number of SUVs
and trucks on the road whose bumpers are around head-level
of someone in a sedan).
Electronic Stability Control/Pre-Collision Systems:
This kicks in automatically to prevent accidents (it can
apply the brakes or reduce engine power, for instance).
Also worthwhile are stability systems that help to prevent
rollovers. The even newer pre-collision systems can alert
a driver who's not looking forward when an accident might
occur and can activate other options in the car to keep
the occupants safe, such as closing windows, adjusting seat
positions for air bag effectiveness and activating safety-belt
pretensioners.
Rear Bumper Camera or Sensors: These will alert
you if a child, pet or fixed object is located behind your
car.
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An option's value is often dependent on your lifestyle.
Travel into uncharted territories a lot? For you, a
navigation system may be worth its weight in gold.
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Options to Consider
These options are not necessities, but if you've got a few
extra dollars to spend could be worth having.
Run-Flat Tires: If you get a flat tire, run-flat
(or zero-pressure) tires allow you to drive on the completely
flat tire long enough to get to a repair shop. The downside
is that they reportedly need to be replaced more often than
regular tires, can cost twice as much and, with tire pressure
monitoring systems to become mandatory on all cars by 2008,
may not be all that necessary to prevent a blowout.
All-Wheel Drive: This can help you stay in control
of your car, particularly if you live in areas that get
lots of snow and ice.
Heated/Cooled Seats: A nice treat in the cold winter
months or the hot summer ones.
Navigation System: If you are not good with directions
or are constantly driving to new, unfamiliar areas, this
can be a good investment.
Premium Sound Systems/DVD Players: If you spend
a lot of time in your car and love music (or want to
entertain your kids), this may be worth it to you. If you're
only in your car for 20 minutes a day, it's probably not
worthwhile.
Bluetooth Hands-Free Phones: A great gadget that
lets you talk on the phone without taking your eyes off
the road or your hands off the wheel.
Next Generation Night Vision: This uses infrared
technology to sense heat from people, animals and stopped
cars, and allows you to see objects beyond the scope of
your headlights. Some users have found night vision systems
to be distracting,
however.
Blind Spot Sensors: These systems use cameras or
LED displays to warn drivers when there's a vehicle or person
in their vehicle's blind spot.
Options to Avoid
When it comes to options, more is not always better. Here's
a list of options that you're better off saving your money
on.
Active Cruise Control: This automatically keeps
you a certain distance from the car in front of you. Though
it sounds useful, reports say that it may not work smoothly
just yet.
Rustproofing, Fabric Protection, Sealant: These
items have either already been done by the manufacturer,
or you can do them yourself easily and inexpensively.
VIN Etching: Etching your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) into the car's window is an option to help
identify your car if it's stolen. If you want it, you can
do it yourself with a kit for a fraction of the price.
What's the bottom line? A car's options are only as valuable
as you perceive them to be. Buy the car that makes you happy,
but if you're choosing between a limited number of options,
be sure you always opt for those that will keep you safe over
those for entertainment or comfort.
Recommended Reading
The
Safest and Most Dangerous Cars and Trucks for 2007
The
Health Risks of Long Commutes: Why Routine Long Car Rides
Can be Hazardous to Your Health
Sources
ConsumerReports.org
BankRate.com