Central Locking System
Some systems automatically lock the doors when the transmission is shifted into gear, or automatically unlock when the transmission is shifted into park. The best systems have a remote key-fob transmitter to lock or unlock the car from outside.
PRO: Convenience and safety: allows you to quickly lock all doors if you feel threatened.
CON: Added cost: may require more maintenance.

Continuously Variable Transmission
An automatic transmission that, instead of using three or four separate gears, uses belts to produce continuously changing speed rations.
PRO: Better fuel economy than with a manual transmission, because it lets the engine work in its most efficient range.
CON: It's a complex technology whose reliability hasn't been proven. May be very expensive to maintain.

Cruise Control
PRO: Reduces driver fatigue on long trips, and may help increase fuel economy.
CON: May require some maintenance.

| Top |

Digital Instrumentation
PRO: Amusing-if you're into video games.
CON: Can be confusing and distracting; also very expensive to repair.

Diesel Engine
PRO: Fuel economy.
CON: Slow acceleration; difficult to start in extremely cold weather; unpleasant fumes; fuel sometimes hard to find.

ESP
Electronic Stability Program that uses engine-management and ABS electronics to help prevent the car from sliding sideways on slick surfaces.
PRO: Added safety, particularly on icy roads.
CON: Added initial cost; may also require more maintenance.

| Top |

Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
Cars often have "disc" brakes on the front wheels and "drum" brakes on the rear wheels. However, under hard use, disc brakes remain cooler, which means they retain their stopping power longer. Disc brakes on all four wheels are preferable.
PRO: Retain stopping power longer; disc brake pads cheaper to replace.
CON: Disc brake pads wear more quickly than drum brake pads.

Four-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
PRO: Increases traction; particularly in snow, rain, and in off-road.
CON: Adds complexity and wight, which raises car's price and lowers its fuel economy.

Four-Wheel Steering
At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels; at higher speeds, all four wheels turn in the same direction.
PRO: Makes the car generally easier to steer, particularly during parking.
CON: Added initial cost, and possibly added maintenance and repair cost.

| Top |

Head-up Instrument Display
Projects a car's speedometer reading or other instrument displays onto the windshield in front of the driver.
PRO: Lets driver read instrument displays without taking eyes off the road.
CON: Unnecessary gizmo. Essential only for fighter pilots.

Heavy-Duty Cooling System
PRO: Necessary for hauling heavy loads in hot weather, especially on a vehicle with air conditioning.
CON: No disadvantages except extra initial cost.

Heavy-Duty Suspension
PRO: Necessary for hauling heavy loads.
CON: Rougher ride when not hauling a load.

| Top |

Integrated Child Seat
A child seat that folds out of the regular adult seat and comes with its own set of seatbelts.
PRO: Unlike portable seats, it is always correctly secured.
CON: May reduce comfort for adults sitting on a seat that contains an integrated child seat.

Keyless Entry
A keypad mounted on the front doors that unlocks them when you enter a five-digit code.
PRO: Entry is possible even if the keys are locked in the car. Also, allows a third party access to the car without the keys.
CON: You have to remember a five-digit code in order to use the system.

Larger Engine
Engine size is noted by the number of cylinders, and by "displacement." Displacement can be measured in liters, cubic centimeters, or cubic inches. The more cylinders and the greater the displacement, the larger the engine. Larger engines generally provide more torque and more horsepower.
PRO: Quieter and smoother during highway cruising; added power for passing, for mountain travel, and for hauling a trailer.
CON: Slightly higher maintenance costs; possibly higher costs for fuel, insurance, and state registration.

Leather Seating Surfaces
PRO: Looks, smells, and feels luxurious; doesn't soil as easy as cloth or velour.
CON: Can be hot in summer, cold in winter: can also be slippery.

Limp-Home
Electronics automatically cut out half the engine's cylinders to create less heat should the cooling system ever fail.
PRO: Allows you to continue to drive the car with an overheating engine, without damaging the engine.
CON: None.

| Top |

Multiple Valves
All engines have at least two valves for each cylinder. But some have three or four valves for each cylinder. The additional valves allow a more efficient movement of the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chambers so the engine develops more power.
PRO: Better engine response at high speeds.
CON: Added complication; possibly higher repair costs.

Overhead Cam
Some engines have single or double overhead camshafts instead of pushrods to open and close the valves as the engine operates.
PRO: Better engine response at high speeds.
CON: None really, except slightly higher manufacturing costs.

Power Steering, and Power Steering with Variable Assist
At higher speeds, simple power steering can make the steering feel too light. Variable-assist or speed-sensitive steering is a type of power steering that automatically boosts the power assist at low speeds and reduces it at high speeds.
PRO: Makes it easier to turn the steering wheel, especially when parking. Necessary for large, heavy vehicles; can increase resale value for those vehicles.
CON: Added initial cost; added maintenance cost.

Rear Window Defogger
PRO: Increases outward vision in icy or humid conditions.
CON: Can crack window if left on in hot weather.

Rustproofing/Undercoating
PRO: No benefit, unless car isn't rustproofed//undercoated by the factory.
CON: Unnecessary because almost all new cars have rustproofing and undercoating.

| Top |

Stereo Sound System
PRO: Improves resale value of car. (Tip: Aftermarket products are often superior in price and sound to factory or dealer-installed units.)
CON: Makes car a target for theft.

Sunroof/T-Top/Moonroof
PRO: Fun. Can increase resale value substantially.
CON: Added wind noise; may reduce interior headroom and may leak or squeak if moldings deteriorate.

Tinted Windows
PRO: Keeps car cooler in sunny weather, thus reducing sun-caused damage to upholstery and dashboard. Reduces load on air conditioner.
CON: Slightly higher initial cost.

Turbocharger/Supercharger
A turbocharger is operated by hot exhaust gases that continually rush out of the engine as it runs. A supercharger is driven by a belt or a shaft from the engine. Both devices force extra air and fuel into the engine's combustion chambers for more power.
PRO: Provides the acceleration of a larger engine, without higher fuel consumption.
CON: History of repair problems; requires extra maintenance; often more costly to insure.

Traction Control
Uses sensors to determine when wheels begin to slip and reduces engine speed/applies brakes to maintain optimum traction.
PRO: Allows for smooth acceleration on slippery roads. Worth having if you regularly drive wet, muddy, or icy roads.
CON: Expensive, with a lot of mechanical complexity. No benefit under normal driving conditions.

| Top |