These Car Options Are Absolutely Worth The Money, According To Readers

The two that I care about to pay extra for are heated seats - I’ve got back problems and I use them year round, it really helps - and satellite radio - FM reception in New England is poor in general and AM is fine for news, but doesn’t have much music. Forget cell service - it barely works around here, so streaming isn’t a good option either.

Yes, heated and vented seats are the single greatest addition you can make to your car. Heck, they should basically be standard by now.

Suggested by: adamguha

Those of us that keep our cars forever will understand this the most: pick the color you really want, even if it costs extra. Sure, it sucks that most automakers now charge extra for the “good colors”, but are you really going to miss that measly $495 up-charge every time you stare at your car for the next 15-20 years and unsuccessfully try to convince yourself that Florida Rental Car White looks just as good as Blizzard Blue Pearl Tricoat?

Buying a car in a color that you think will help its resale value is lame. If you want a pink car, you should buy yourself a pink car.

Suggested by: regnis78

For me, it’s rain sensing wipers. Having to fiddle with the wiper stalk as rainfall changes is one of the most annoying tasks when driving. Rain sensing wipers removes that and lets me focus on other critical aspects of driving. Even poorly executed systems are better than having to manually change wiper speed.

Obviously everything on this list is a solution to a first world problem, but arguing that turning on the wipers is the “most annoying” thing about driving does make me chuckle.

Suggested by: stephen-macarthur

Nearly every disposable appliance cookie cutter commuter cars have what I consider ‘must-haves’ as minimum standard already. Specifically, CarPlay.

BUT for niche sportscars or performance variants, buying the ‘Performance Package’ or the performance trim is a must. That generally includes an LSD. Sometimes, upgraded brakes and suspension too. Which to me is crazy, since all sportscars and performance variants SHOULD come it LSD as standard. Offenders of this are the MX-5, Z, GR Corolla, 718 Cayman/Boxster, 911, just to name a few. With the Porsches, the 3 performance options should be ticked. Sport Chrono, PTV(LSD), and Sport PASM. Furthermore, having performance options will have it retain its value in the long run.

That being said, I feel like the omission of these LSDs as standard is a way to lower the starting advertised price. Factory bait and switch. It’s actually rare to see a non-performance packaged GR Corolla Core, or even Z. Heck, I see a lot more MX-5 Club trims than base.

People who cheaped out of the $1-4k performance packages will say it’s not really needed. It is needed on any car with sporting intentions. They’re coping with buyer’s remorse. Never heard anyone say, “man I can’t believe I paid extra for way better traction and power delivery at corner exits and slippery road conditions.” But I always hear people who cheaped out on performance options say, “well, you don’t really need that on the street and I don’t even drive like that!” Why’d you get a sportscar then, chief?

Paying extra to improve your car’s performance is this poster’s top tip. But if you had to choose between upgraded brakes, suspension or an added limited-slip diff, what would you pick?

Suggested by: snasrps

Here in Maine, heated steering wheel. Don’t knock it until you try it.

While not as essential as heated seats, I won’t argue against this post that a heated steering wheel can make everything better on a cold winter’s day.

Suggested by: nsa_monitor

For my money, it is the premium sound system package typically offered by most manufacturers.

I have a Lincoln Aviator and the Revel sound system is fantastic. Yes, you probably could source your own components and build a better system if you wanted to go aftermarket, but that’s a ton of hassle and likely a higher expense. It enhances the enjoyment of my long drives and I do not regret springing for that in the slightest.

On the other end of the spectrum - sunroofs. I would prefer to have that delete option and not pay extra for something that adds more weight, electronic complexity, and serves as a source of leaks I now how to worry about. Yes, they are cool with the extra light coming in and ambiance, but I would happily do without that option.

Only the best for my regular cycle through ‘The Car’ and ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ whenever I get behind the wheel.

Suggested by: sector7gwagen

Auto climate control. When I went from a relatively bare bones car up to one with a bevy of options, the option I like the most, and will not do without in the future, is auto climate control. Doesn’t need to be dual zone, single zone is fine. But just setting and forgetting the temp for a drive is key.This is especially true in the winter. How many times would I turn the heat on high, and then only 15 minutes later be sweating my ass off, because I forgot to adjust it down. Or likewise forgetting to turn it up on a cold morning, only to fine myself wondering why I am still freezing well after the car has warmed up.

But as with CarPlay, this is becoming mostly standard now. Usually just the dual zone is the upgrade.

More temperature-related upgrades that you’re big fans of! Is this one you think no car is complete without?

Suggested by: iblamerichardscarry

1: The more powerful engine option

2: The premium sound system

Both things I use & enjoy every time I drive a vehicle.

If you have a bigger engine, would you rather be able to hear it roar or drown it out with the dulcet tones of Alex Turner?

Suggested by: jerminator57

BMW Sport Seats.

Starting around the time of the E39/E46 generations, BMW divided their interior offerings into “Comfort Seating” and “Sports Seats”.

The “Comfort Seats” are the Red Delicious Apple of interior options - the flat seat bottom (without adjustable thigh rest) and lack of bolsters on the seat back make the cars very uncomfortable for long stints. The packaging options changed over time, but whatever the name of the “sport” package, and whatever it cost, it was 100% worth it to get the proper seating.

We’ve owned quite a few post-2000 BMWs, and I still shop for these on occasion. One interior photo from even the worst Craigslist ad is usually all I ever need - if I see an automatic shifter or Comfort Seats, I can pass without any further consideration.

BMW’s sports seats have proven divisive in recent years, but if you find a seat you like it’s probably best sticking with it.

Suggested by: MikeHerbst

Navigation. It’s so much better integrated into cars as a native app than through Android Auto or Apple Carplay, I could never go back to having a car without it.

This one proved controversial, would you rather use a sat-nav that’s built in or rely on things like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay?

Suggested by: neverspeakawordagain

A stick. Anything else is useless fluff.

Like, what kind of stick? A nice piece of alder, or maybe a stick of liquorice? Ohh wait, do you mean a stick shift?

Suggested by: garland137

Just bought last year and adaptive cruise was that feature. Since I mostly work remote, the vast majority of my mileage is highway driving and adaptive cruise is just amazing.

It’s amazing what they can do with technology these days, itsn’t it.

Suggested by: engineerthefuture

Auto-dimming side mirrors, to combat all of the illegal LED retrofits people are putting in their headlights.

Seat position memory is nice for vehicles with different-sized drivers. The better memory systems also remember mirror settings, HVAC settings and radio settings/presets.

Heated steering wheel is worth it if you can afford it. Definitely not worth it if you can’t afford it. So many people miss this distinction.

I‘d pay extra for good heated cloth seats in upper trim models. Cheap leather, as found in most cars, isn’t as comfortable as a good cloth seat.

I’d also pay extra for HVAC and a radio that have real knobs.

The first time I drove a car with auto-dimming mirrors it really confused me. But then, I saw the (slightly dimmed) light, and it all made sense.

Suggested by: grasscatcher2

Limited Slip differential. Some of the ND2 MX-5's didn’t have an LSD which I consider to be a must in a sports car. The base Nissan Z also doesn’t have an LSD which I think is silly. With 400hp on tap you should have an LSD standard. Sports cars need as much traction as they can get and an LSD is a no-brainer.

Less wheelspin, improved traction. it;s a no-brainer for any sporty car, right?

Suggested by: klone121