You’ve decided on the car, you’re in the dealership and the salesman lays down the “options list” in front of you. We’re past air-conditioning, remote central locking and electric windows, some of which are still not fitted as standard, as Dave pointed out yesterday in his list of features we wish were standard on modern cars . Now though, MSport packs, adaptive suspension and ambient lighting are in the mix. More often than not vehicles are ordered by the dealers with options fitted, and you often have to take what’s on the floor, but here’s a list of options you should definitely be ticking.

Five Options You Need On Your Next Car by John Beale

Note that some options require you to take a “package” much like a meal from a fast food restaurant. Make sure you’re getting value out of everything in the package, otherwise spec individually. Also note some manufacturers require certain options to be fitted for others to be added e.g. Multimedia interface with Bluetooth.

Xenon headlamps R6 000 – R13 000

Headlamps have come a long way from candles in tins. From standard bulbs, to Halogen and most recently LED headlamps, they are brighter than ever. Tick the box for Xenon headlamps, they usually make the vehicle look better, and can give up to 40m extra forward visibility. Careful, don’t get too excited, the Adaptive headlamps are cool (lamps that turn with steering input) but the technology is still too expensive for the added benefit so steer clear of that option.

Bluetooth R1200 – R4000

You’d be surprised at how many manufacturers still have this as an option. Besides it being illegal to talk on your cellular phone and drive, it’s downright stupid. Spec the option, even better if it includes Bluetooth streaming so you don’t need to plug in your phone to play music through the system.

Park Distance Control R1500 – R6000

Now you can say we’ve been parking cars for years without it, but with more underground parking and large SUV’s with terrible views around, it’s more necessary than ever. Rear PDC is a definite on larger vehicles, it’ll help you save on repairing those nasty little bumps.

Auto Lights and Wipers R800 – R3500

Again, we’ve done without these for years, but once you have them you’ll wonder why any car comes without them. Negating the need to switch lights off when you get out, and the safety that they automatically come on when you’re in areas of low lighting. Generally they also activate automatically over certain speeds / distances for safety. Automatic wipers switch on automatically should it sense a certain amount of water on the windscreen, and also increase / decrease wiping speed on their own. Leaving you to concentrate when you’re driving in the rain.

Cruise Control R900 – R1500

Not the adaptive kind, but rather just straight up cruise control. If you have an automatic you definitely need it. It makes for much more relaxing highway travelling, allowing you to set your speed for safety and less speeding fines. There is an added benefit of increased fuel efficiency – cruise control is better at managing throttle than you are with your right foot at highway speeds.