Repeatedly took part in disputes over automotive equipment. Most often they are connected with the same eternal question. What is still better for the same money: take a “drum” at a higher level or “full stuffing”, but with a lower class. Specifically, I don’t have one universal answer to this question – in this case, you need to build on the specific models that are involved in the selection (especially in the secondary market). However, he decided for himself that he needed to stay within reasonable sufficiency and choose something in between – not to be fooled by the cheapness of an empty car, but also not to overpay for extra features.
Until recently, I drove a rather empty Volkswagen Passat B7 without buttons on the steering wheel and with a rag interior. A few months ago, I moved to the dorest BMW F30 in the “golden mean” configuration with the most inflated 2-liter engine from the factory, all-wheel drive, heated all leather seats, a sunroof and a large multimedia screen. For +50% to the price of this model on the secondary market, he could get a projection on the windshield, an M-style body kit, all-round cameras, a black ceiling and, most likely, an M-steering wheel. Of course, all this would definitely please me, but not for that price. However, this is not all my thoughts about car equipment.
From this angle, the usual Passat B7:
We look into the salon and understand – “drum”:
More often you have to deal with package equipment
Automakers have not even thought of limiting consumers in the nuances of configurations for several years, therefore they offer both ready-made assemblies of specific models and a variety of individual options to choose from. Today, even Japanese vendors, who are usually scolded for their lack of choice, do this. However, the “Germans” specifically in this regard are traditionally ahead of the rest. Usually they offer to determine even the smallest details in the configuration of the car – up to the choice of specific decorative inserts in the cabin, the type, as well as the appearance of the lights. What can I say, in the Audi Q8 configurator I even found the opportunity not to install nameplates of a specific configuration on the rear of the body.
I omit the current situation with “package cars” at dealers – there is nothing infinite, and this will also pass. But, in the end, the configuration of cars on our roads, to a greater extent, depends on the companies that sell them. It is they who discuss and order specific assemblies at conventional factories, and buyers, as personal observations show, usually choose exactly from what is presented in car dealerships. As a result, it turns out later that the conditional Volkswagen Passat B7 business sedan without buttons on the steering wheel, with a rag interior and, in general, without the feeling of an expensive car that was lost due to a couple of missed options, gets into the secondary market.
Returning to the Passat B7, this is how a well-equipped car should look like in the cabin:
Units are bothered by separate possibilities
Any German car (I take as an example VAG and BMW, with which I myself continue to deal) is a constructor for adults. If you simply forgot about some option when buying a car, you can later deliver it without big problems. If we talk about the secondary market, the situation turns out to be even more indicative, because it is simply impossible to work out the equipment for 100% of your future car in this case in advance. It’s great when you can install the original rear-view camera or parking sensors without any special problems, encode them in the necessary way and fully use them without too much dancing with a tambourine.
Moreover, it is important to understand that any individual equipment from a dealer has always meant a couple or more months of waiting for delivery with partial or even full prepayment. Not everyone went for this, so the market usually has predictable package cars from dealers. The situation is slightly changed by models imported from Europe and other regions, but there are not so many of them yet. But, in general, there is a choice of trim levels even when you take a wheelbarrow from your hands. And in this case, it is important to highlight for yourself the really important chips that deserve your particular attention. Even on the secondary market, there are quite enough cars to pick up approximately the “same” equipment and not regret the choice.
The black ceiling doesn’t make much sense to me, but the sunroof definitely decides:
What useful features are worth paying attention to
I will give an example of small additional options that are considered especially useful today. I focus on relatively small features: the choice of engine or gearbox, mono- or all-wheel drive – all these are global issues that define a car, not nuances configuration.
Climate control instead of air conditioning. The first system differs from the second, first of all, in the ability to set and maintain the required temperature in the car. The ability to change the temperature in specific areas for different passengers will also be useful.
Parktronics and rear view camera. They will help to park the car where it would not have been so easy to drive without them. According to personal feelings, the larger the model in size, the wider the range of such assistants it needs for comfortable use.
Modern multimedia system. It is important, at least, that you can connect to it using Bluetooth and conveniently listen to music from streaming services. The rest is not so important.
Built-in navigation system. As practice shows, it is much more convenient with it than turning on maps on a smartphone. It works especially great with CarPlay or Android Auto.
CarPlay and Android Auto support. Of course, in 2022 I want them to be available. But, if they are not yet provided for by the year of manufacture of the car, it will also be possible to do without them.
Multifunction steering wheel to control auto functions. It is convenient when it at least has a volume control.
Heated seats, steering wheel, windshield. If the interior is leather, without heating it is especially difficult. But you can ignore the heating of the windshield in not very cold regions. The same applies to heated rear-view mirrors.
Seat memory for multiple drivers. If a second driver often sits behind the wheel, it would be great if the seats were adjusted at the touch of a button, rather than manually. Checked.
Lens xenon or other normal light. It would be nice if the daytime running lights were still pretty. But normal light will be enough.
Keyless entry and trunk opening with foot. They will make it possible to get into the car or open the trunk without pressing the remote control buttons or any other additional actions. A very nice touch, but not essential.
- To the point: Do not buy a car on the second hand for the last money. Repeatedly convinced by personal experience.
What is the difference between “drum” and “full stuffing”
“Drum” is distinguished by an insufficient amount of emotions. Honestly, it’s sad to sit on a “rag” when there is the same car with a leather interior next to it. You also don’t want to turn an empty steering wheel when there should be a whole scattering of useful buttons on it. It is sad to connect a smartphone to a multimedia system via a wired AUX, and not to rejoice at least Bluetooth. It also frankly displays when the headlights shine very weakly at night – so that it is uncomfortable to drive even around the city at night. And it’s also great to open the hatch so that fresh air enters the cabin. And looking at the sky through it is also a thrill.
However, I myself do not understand the need for ten zones of climate control. The all-round view is nothing more than a toy. And without much else, you can quite comfortably move around the city. Particularly funny, as it seems to me personally, are all kinds of sports body kits that are installed on not particularly dynamic cars. So not only basement tuning studios sin, but also the manufacturers themselves. However, this is only the subjective opinion of the author, and not objective reality. For some, the heated windshield will turn out to be an extremely important feature, without which it is simply impossible to buy a car – neither new nor resale.
Instead of a conclusion: it is best to look for the “golden mean”
Yes, in my thoughts about car configurations, I myself eventually came to the conclusion that chasing a complete set is not the best idea, as well as saving money in order to transfer to an empty car for several years. It is best to stay somewhere in the middle, have a full range of necessary opportunities at hand and enjoy life. This option will be the most optimal not only for personal driving experience, but also for the further sale of the car, which will inevitably fit the history of any car. However, you may have other discussions, so I propose to arrange a discussion about this right in the comments right after the text.
Source: Trash Box
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
