How to Decide on the Features You Want When Buying a New Car

When shopping for a new car, you may be tempted to buy a car with "all the bells and whistles" and various features offered. However, before you do, keep in mind that many features offered on new cars are good for making your drive more comfortable and enjoyable, and for keeping you safe on the road. But these features may not be what you need personally. Some may also result in higher repair bills down the road. Note a few ways to ensure you get only the features you need when buying a new car and aren't paying for features you'll never need and are happy with your car for years to come.

Safety

Most, if not all, new cars today will come with antilock brakes, airbags, and what is called electronic stability control, which keeps the car from sliding around on icy or uneven roads. Some additional safety features that are typically available include a lane departure warning, which senses when the car is drifting to one side or the other, and a fatigue monitoring system, which senses when the driver is not holding the wheel properly and may be allowing the car to drift. While these can be very good safety features to have, consider if they would actually be needed; if you don't have a long commute or never drive at night, what are the chances you'll get fatigued and fall asleep at the wheel? Don't pay for these added safety features that may not be needed during your standard commute.

Convertible

You may have your heart set on a convertible or a car with a sunroof, but consider if either of these would be a good choice for a car you will drive year-round and for a car you expect to have for many years. Convertible roofs can eventually start to shift out of place, so they don't close completely, letting in drafts and water leaks, and sunroofs can also develop leaks around the seals.

While this may not put you off from buying a car with a convertible roof or sunroof, you might want to price the repairs that are needed for these features over the years, and note consumer reviews for each different model. You may find that one model of car seems to have fewer problems with the convertible roof or sunroof, or is typically cheaper to repair when needed, and this can make it the best choice if you do decide to include one of these features in your new car. For more information, contact a business such as Blue Ribbon Motors.