Buying a car is a major step. For many of us, only buying a home will be more expensive. And just like a home, buying a car comes with a bunch of costs that you may forget when working out your budget. To make an informed choice about which car to buy, you should calculate the total cost of ownership. You need to consider the retail price, interest on your vehicle loan, insurance, fuel, repairs, and maintenance.

Those are the standard extras to budget for when you’re looking to buy a car, but there are also optional extras to consider. They might not be essentials, but they can add value by making your ride more comfortable, safer, or more fun to drive.

Optional safety extras

If you’re on a tight budget, you should see what add-ons are available to keep you safer on the road, before you start thinking about cosmetic and entertainment extras.

• Blind-spot monitoring
  This feature uses sensors to alert you to vehicles in adjacent lanes, reducing the risk of side collisions. Visual or audio alerts can help prevent dangerous manoeuvres, particularly in busy or high-speed traffic. This feature is especially valuable if you spend a lot of time on the highway or navigating congested areas.
  
  
• Automatic high beams
  These adjust between high and low settings based on oncoming traffic, helping you see without the need for manual toggling. It’s an option that makes driving less stressful when visibility is poor, which is a common problem on South African roads at night.

Best add-ons for a fun ride

Dealers will offer some of the best extras as add-ons. Some of the most attractive features you can add to a new car include:

• Sunroofs
  They’re not the most cutting-edge car feature – they’ve been around for decades – but they’re popular because they allow extra light and fresh air into the cabin.
  
  
• Leather seats
  These add a luxurious touch to any vehicle – they're easier to clean than cloth upholstery and more comfortable than vinyl.
  
  
• Heated seats
  Great for our cold winters, and very useful for drivers with back issues.
  
  
• Parking cameras
  These are increasingly becoming standard safety equipment in many cars, so they’re well worth considering if offered as an add-on.
  
  
• Navigation systems
  Most new cars come with satellite navigation features, or with the option of connecting to your smartphone’s Google Maps via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If a navigation system isn’t standard, check if it’s available as an add-on.

• Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
  Both systems enable you to use apps from your smartphone directly through the vehicle’s multimedia system – you can stream music, dictate text messages, take phone calls or navigate with Google Maps, without having to touch your smartphone.
  
  
• USB charging outlets
  Considering how much we now rely on our smartphones, this is a very useful extra.
  
  
• Bluetooth
  Another way to connect digitally that's been around for a while, Bluetooth remains a useful car add-on for taking calls or streaming music while driving. 

Add-ons you should think twice about

Some extra features are more expensive than useful. Think about them carefully – and the rapid pace of technological innovation – before you splash out on any of the following:

• Gesture controls
  These allow you to control the infotainment system with hand movements, but they can be finicky and distracting. Traditional touch or button controls often provide a more reliable, user-friendly experience.
  
  
• Rear-seat entertainment systems
  These have been made obsolete by tablets and smartphone technology, so they aren’t worth the extra expense.
  
  
• Large wheels with low-profile tyres
  Pimping your ride is not a good idea on South African roads – big wheels and low-profile tyres may look cool, but they don’t handle potholes well at all. Bakkies and SUVs dominate the South African vehicle market for a reason, so you’d be wiser to go with the best tyres available for our conditions.

Add-ons and your driving needs

The dealership will probably have a few more attractive add-ons to offer, but prioritise your needs over your wants when you weigh up the extra costs. If an add-on improves safety, tech connectivity, or driving comfort, it could be worth the price. Although that said, if your budget can cover it comfortably, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating your new car with an optional extra that’s purely for fun. After all, you have just reached a milestone of asset ownership!

Did you know that if you take out MFC vehicle finance and open a Nedbank MiGoals Plus or MiGoals Premium account, you can get R200 cashback every month for the duration of your loan? For an affordable car loan tailored to your circumstances and value-adding extras like cashback, choose the bank that’s best for your money.