It should come as a standard option – if not, find a quote in the aftermarket as it is sometimes cheaper. Name of extra: Paint protection They’re only for emergency use and are designed to get you to the nearest garage. It seems that every car dealer has gone to the same salesmanship school – they tend to throw in a few optional extras to sweeten the deal and whet your appetite for more add-ons. Alarms are of questionable value.

Very useful for cars with poor visibility (SUVs), but also available aftermarket. Do you need it? No. Roof racks: You can almost always find roof racks and roof luggage boxes cheaper aftermarket.

What is it? A noisy alarm that goes off, sometimes accidentally. Ask how much servicing costs, check service costs from independent dealers and avoid bundling paying interest on servicing if you are taking out a loan. What is it?

Darkens the windows of the car. Name of extra: Metallic paint What is it? For carrying more storage on the roof.

Do you need it? No. Name of extra: GPS device Do you need it?

Maybe. But the dealer may push other options that sound like they should have been included in the first place, such as rustproofing, paint protection, extra airbags or an extended warranty. Dealer extended warranties often require you to have the car serviced exclusively by the dealer who sells you the car, and missing a scheduled service can void the warranty.

Name of extra: Alarms Do you need it? Maybe. Fabric protection might consist of nothing more than the dealer treating the car seats with a can of fabric protector from the supermarket. Do you need it? No.

Some manufacturers and dealers offer portable GPS systems, but they’re usually cheaper elsewhere. What is it? Runs air con into the seat back and seat.

What is it? Beeps that warn how close you are to cars or obstructions when reversing. Do you need it? Yes. Do you need it?

Maybe. Do you need it? No. Do you need it?

Maybe. Do you need it? No.

Can be annoying, but also very useful when parking in tight car parks. Name of extra: Stability control Before you go shopping for a new car, check the manufacturers’ websites. Worth the extra price to protect the driver and passengers.

Name of extra: Alloy tyres – low profile Do you need it? Maybe. Are any of these really necessary or worth the money?

Sometimes, but not very often. Name of extra: Rust proofing It’s a safety feature that could save your life – it should be standard, but as of right now it’s not. Do you need it?

Maybe. Airbags: If side and curtain airbags aren’t standard in your chosen model, they may be available as options for a few hundred dollars extra. What is it? Protects the boot from scuff marks and mud.

Most come with patch kits of space savers which are useful to get you to a repair garage. What is it? Useful extra tyre that is stored in the boot. Do you need it? Maybe.

Name of extra: Extra airbags We've tested to find you the best. Do you need it? Maybe.

Full-size spare tyre: Space saver and temporary-use spare wheels are common, even in big cars. Do you need it? Maybe. Headlight and bonnet protectors: These are really only useful if you often drive on unsealed roads.

Name of extra: Spare tyre Do you need it? Yes. What is it? Plastic overlays, designed to sit on your bonnet.

What is it? Aesthetically pleasing paint. Name of extra: Special suspension Do you need it?

Yes. Name of extra: Seat covers You can do that yourself for a lot less and with just as good a result. Name of extra: Window tinting You might also be forced to get your software and map updates from the car manufacturer. What is it? Sometimes they don’t come as default in side or curtain.

The dealer price will probably be higher. Name of extra: AEB Name of extra: Rear view camera Name of extra: Bull bar What is it? Plastic overlays, designed to sit on your lights. Much cheaper to go aftermarket.

Consider getting a full-sized spare if you drive long distances. What is it? Claimed extra rust proofing. If you go for an aftermarket nudge bar, ask the supplier if it’s compatible with the airbags in your car.

Do you need it? No. However, some extras must be factory fitted, or you might just want the convenience of having the dealer supply and fit the option for you. What is it?

A commission for sales people. It’s likely to be ignored if it goes off, and you could even be fined for noise pollution if it goes off without good cause. Name of extra: Roof racks Do you need it?

Maybe. Have a listen to the installed one first – it might be enough. What is it? Claimed extra paint protection. Name of extra: Maintenance plans Unless you live next to the sea or like to drive along the beach, don’t opt for extra rustproofing.

While the stations are clearer with better sound, they’re only available in major cities and AM/FM isn’t going anywhere for a while – internet radio is also a thing. If you regularly drive long distances, especially in country areas where there aren’t as many garages nearby, a full-size spare tyre is a better option. Name of extra: Sunroof Extended factory warranties are usually less restrictive than dealer warranties, but you still need to read the terms and conditions carefully before signing.

Some optional extras – like premium paint colours, alloy wheels and spoilers – are a matter of personal taste. But if you opt for one, a factory-fitted bar has the advantage of having been tested with the vehicle’s airbag system – the bar affects the vehicle’s behaviour in a collision. To see the difference safety features can make, check out the ANCAP ratings. Assess how often will you realistically use it, and clean out the leaves and dust that accumulate around it. What is it?

To protect the seat from marks, potentially children or pets. If that’s how you want to roll and you’re willing to pay extra, so be it. Do you need it? No. Paintwork is also covered by warranty for major problems and shouldn’t need anything more than an occasional clean and polish.

Not really necessary for the vast majority, but if so, getting the dealer installed will take into account vehicle airbag systems. It may turn out that the sales sweeteners aren’t so sweet. What is it?

Autonomous Emergency Braking uses radars to measure distance to vehicles and brakes if the distance reduces too quickly. All new cars already have it, and it’s covered under warranty. They can also be very restrictive in what they cover.

Do you need it? Maybe. What is it?

Mats that cover your floor where your feet can track in mud. What is it? Can be just the dealer using cans of fabric protector. Nudge and bull bars: These aren’t necessary for typical city driving and increase the risk of injury to others in a crash.

Stability control (also known as Electronic Stability Program and Dynamic Stability Control): This is an anti-skid technology that applies braking to individual wheels to stabilise the vehicle when it detects a situation such as fishtailing. Do you need it? Yes. It’s a safety feature that could save your life – it should be standard, but as of right now it’s not. Do you need it?

Maybe. Expensive to update (upwards of $600), your phone auto updates and a mounting device is cheap. If you want a fully featured alarm system, compare the dealer price with aftermarket options – you might get a better deal elsewhere.

Name of extra: Bonnet protector What is it? For towing caravans, boats, trailers. Name of extra: Fabric protection Only if you are going off road, which the vast majority of us do not – if so, compare the aftermarket. Can be quite expensive (sometimes 100%) compared to aftermarket options.

What is it? Warns of cars running alongside. Most list the available options with prices and let you experiment with configuring a car in different ways. Premium sound systems: These can make travelling much more pleasant, but have a listen to the car’s standard system first.

What is it? Designed to improve your sound experience. Do you need it?

No. All new cars have engine immobilisers – if you want an extra alarm, compare the price to aftermarket solutions. Do you need it?

Maybe. Dealers often charge several hundred dollars for paint and rust protection; if you really want this extra treatment, you can get it aftermarket (or even do it yourself) for much less money. What is it? Designed to protect the car from minimal collisions. Some accessories can be useful and appealing additions to your car, but you’ll probably get them cheaper – sometimes a lot cheaper – at auto stores rather than through the dealer.

Safety options are always worth having, and usually have to be factory fitted, so you need to choose which ones you want before buying. Name of extra: Floor mats Do you need it? Maybe. Name of extra: Premium sound system Do you need it? Maybe.

Name of extra: Towbar Good for GPS narration via your stereo system, playing internet radio, or phone calls. With a little advance online work, you’ll be in a much better position to negotiate a deal for any extras that you actually need – or at least want – when you step in to the showroom. Towbars: If you’re after a towbar, get quotes from a couple of independent towbar installers to compare with the dealer price. Do you need it? Maybe.

What is it? Anti-skid protection brakes individual wheels. Can be quite expensive (sometimes 100%) compared to aftermarket options. What is it?

These are pre-paid servicing costs that you can pay ahead of time that include a bunch of services.

Car extras revealed

What car extras do you really need? CHOICE lists the accessories worth considering, and those you can forget about.

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p>Car dealers have a habit of trying to sell you stuff you probably don’t need after you’ve already laid out a small fortune or taken out financing for a brand new car. What is it? Available radio option that shows song names without attracting data pricing. This is standard on most cars – compare to the aftermarket if your privacy is important.

Do you really need even darker windows? Can be useful in our varying climate – some cars only offer one version so avoid only heated seats in Darwin and cooled seats in Tassie. Do you need it? No. Special suspension: Sports (firmer springs and lower ride) or country suspension (with increased ride height) is useful for some drivers, but test-drive both the special version and the standard suspension so you know what you’re getting before you commit yourself to this option.

Only if you are going off road, which the vast majority of us do not – if so, compare the aftermarket. Worth it if it doesn’t come standard on some cheaper models. You’ll feel more bumps from the road, expensive tyre replacements and more likely to puncture. Name of extra: Nudge bar Not really https://cars45.com.gh/listing/porsche/cayenne/2017 necessary for the vast majority, but if so, getting the dealer installed will take into account vehicle airbag systems. Name of extra: Reversing sensors Try out the standard version first before committing yourself to the high expense.

All new cars already have it, and it’s covered under warranty. All new cars have engine immobilisers, usually with central locking, and that’s all you need. Name of extra: Blind spot monitoring What is it?

Usually rolls back to reveal the weather overhead. New cars are treated at the factory and any rust problems should be covered by warranty. Name of extra: Digital radio Dealer and factory-fitted accessories are also usually covered by the vehicle warranty, so it’s your call. What is it? When reversing, displays a view of the rear to avoid collision.

All new cars come with warranties. What is it? GPS device built into the dashboard. It’s important to know the dollar value of what they’re spruiking. It might be all you need, especially if it already has a smartphone connection, whether wireless or wired.

Do you need it? No. What is it?

Useful phone connection. In most cases the standard three- or five-year warranty is good enough. Do you need it?

Maybe. Get some aftermarket quotes first – it’s likely the dealer quote is more expensive. Name of extra: Bluetooth You can do it yourself for much cheaper.

What is it? Sports (firm, lower ride) or Country road (higher ride) suspension. Name of extra: Headlight protector What is it? Nice looking tyres and rims that can improve precision driving. Name of extra: Extended warranty Factory-fitted dash-mounted systems offer bigger screens and integrated functionality and are less easily stolen than portable models (although car thieves sometimes target these high-end systems and cause extensive damage to the dashboard in the process).

What is it? Designed to protect from animal or vehicle collisions. Rustproofing and paint protection raise the question: isn’t the car already rustproofed? The answer is yes.

If you want to know how steal-able your model of car is, see the NMVTRC car security ratings. Name of extra: Boot liner Extended dealer warranties can sound great in the showroom, but the devil is in the details. Floor mats help keep the carpet clean, but do you really want to pay anything from $70 to more than $100 for them when you can get aftermarket car mats for $40 or less?

The same applies to seat covers and boot liners. Do you need it? No.

Can be quite expensive (sometimes 100%) compared to aftermarket options. Window tinting: This is already standard on most cars. Name of extra: Heated or cooled seats