Top 5 Amenities to Look for in Your Next Used Car

When you buy a car from a used car dealer, what you get isn’t usually bursting with bells and whistles. In fact, many used car dealerships specialize in reselling what were once either fleet vehicles or rental cars, which are stripped-down versions of desirable models. Fortunately, not all buy here pay here dealers are alike, and there are some businesses that will sell you a used car with excellent features. Here are just five of the top amenities that you can look for in your next used car purchase, as well as a few that you might want to skip.

1. Bluetooth

Bluetooth has now become a standard feature on most modern vehicles, and for good reason. Our smartphones have become an all-in-one device, providing streaming to our music and working as a top-of-the-line GPS, as well as, of course, being able to make and take calls and texts. Having hands-free capability with your phone provides both safety and convenience. One of the leading causes of auto accidents in this country today is distracted driving. With a Bluetooth-capable car, you can keep your hands off of your phone and your eyes on the wheel.

2. Backup Camera

The more safety features your vehicle has, the better. Backup cameras are now standard features on most cars, and this simple system can help you avoid mishaps in parking lots. They are also helpful tools for parking in tight spaces.

3. Heated Seats

We all know how cold it can get in Oklahoma during the winter months. Having heated seats — and sometimes a heated steering wheel — are must-have amenities on a cold winter day.  After you live through your first winter with these features, they will be on your must-have list.

4. Dual-Zone Climate Control

Do you ever have disputes with your passengers over climate control matters? You can keep the peace inside your vehicle if you find a used car with dual-zone climate control. With this feature, both the driver and front passenger can select different temperature settings to their comfort. In some vehicles, such as SUVs and minivans, you can also select a different setting for the rear of the vehicle.

5. Power Driver’s Seat

You want to be as comfortable as possible while driving your vehicle, and a power driver’s seat can help you find the perfect configuration. Even some economy vehicles today have power adjustments on just the driver’s side. This will allow you to adjust the height of the seat and some even include lumbar support.

Features That You Can Skip For Now

There are a few features that are being added to vehicles that are either still too buggy to trust or that don’t provide the value for the extra expense. Among these are such things as “gesture/character recognition” and “onboard wifi.” Some vehicles are promising “shortcuts” with a feature that allows you to wave your arm or hold up a finger for certain actions. These are buggy at best and worth skipping. Likewise, some carmakers began offering vehicles with a built-in wifi hotspot. Most smartphones already have this, and this isn’t a free feature with a car. If you want to use this amenity, you have to subscribe to a monthly 3G data plan.

Some futuristic car features, such as lane detection and adaptive cruise control are only available on the newest and the highest end vehicles. Others, such as the five we listed, have been around for a few years and come as standard equipment on some of today’s new cars. These are some of the amenities that you can put on your list when you shop for you next used vehicle.