With all the amenities manufacturers are adding to cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles, it’s easy to feel swamped when shopping for a new automobile.
Many amenities that have been options in the past now come standard in virtually every vehicle.
“A/C, cruise control, power locks, power windows — almost all cars come with these things now,” said Salvador Gomez, a salesman at LeBlanc Nissan in Gonzales.
As this set of amenities becomes mainstream, carmakers are looking for new and more interesting places to stick in options.
“The latest thing in the Ford line is the entertainment systems with a DVD player and television,” said Andy Parrino, a salesman at Audubon Ford in Baton Rouge.
Ford also offers navigational systems that can give the driver directions to virtually any location, making getting lost a thing of the past.
Volvo has started adding a 12-volt plug-in along with the traditional cigarette lighter to allow small household appliances and electronics to be used in the car, according to a Vehicle Information Specialist for Volvo. This is just one of 48 features found on most new Volvos, she added.
While many of these newer amenities, such as leather, power seats and keyless entry, are for entertainment and convenience, there are many that cater to the safety-oriented buyer, Parrino said.
Ford started adding “reverse sensing devices” to many of its larger vehicles. As the vehicle backs up toward an object, the device detects the object and warns the driver of the potential danger, Parrino said.
Ford also equips many of its vehicles with traction control to keep the car traveling in a straight line on a wet road, Parrino said.
      Volvo offers a similar anti-skid system called ESP, according to a Volvo Information Specialist.
Another Volvo safety feature is “pinch protection” around the windows, she said. It is a safety feature that keeps fingers from being squashed by a window rolling up.
Additional safety features include heated windshield washer nozzles for cold weather and smart seats that adjust the airbag to the weight of the passenger sitting in the seat.
Not all features and options can be seen on the car itself.
For college students, Ford, Nissan and many others dealerships offer grad programs to seniors and graduates soon to be out in the working world. These programs can include rebates and even guaranteed financing.
Many dealers, including Volvo, offer roadside assistance until a set time or mileage.
With all these amenities floating around the car market, how does a shopper in the new car market keep from buying something he really does not need?
Preparation and information are crucial when looking for your new ride. Parrino added self-discipline is essential when shopping for a new vehicle.
“They just need to have control of themselves and not always listen to the salesman,” Parrino said. “They do the research before they step foot onto the lot.”
Gomez said the Internet now allows buyers to build a car exactly the way they want it so they know what they want before they actually see one car at the dealership.
Many major car companies’ Web sites, such as www.toyota.com and www.hondacars.com, let the surfer build his own car inside and out. Some choices include exterior color, automatic or manual transmission and engine size.
“Usually, when a buyer comes in, they know exactly what they’re looking for. They’ve been looking on the Internet and 99 percent of them have done the research before,” Gomez said. “Some even come in with the price they want to pay.”
The truth is, most amenities are just that — amenities. They provide comfort, luxury and enhanced safety but only to the extent your budget allows. They are more added benefits than necessities.
“They make these things so that they’re nice to have, but you don’t always need them,” Gomez said. “It’s just all about convenience.”