Hellobee Boards

@MerryC: I always spring for the "XLT" or "Limited" models because I love the extra options! I use my navigator, heated seats, bluetooth, etc ALL the time! The sunroof I love to have but rarely use, I don't have a DVD player but I'm sure in a few years I will want one (LOL) & I love leather interior (easier to clean!)

My previous car had lots of extras and realized I never use them. I never used the sunroof, and didnt like the leather seats, so it didnt make a difference to me. I would rather save the money

I'm curious about leather seats. Is it really better to have than cloth seats? Especially when you have kids?

I have leather seats and it is somewhat easier to clean and my seats don't look dirty because it doesn't stain.

My next car will definitely have bluetooth and remote start for those cold days.

I think the only thing I would spring for these days would be bluetooth since the laws in different states don't allow you to talk on your phone in the car. My husbands sunroof never gets used, heated seats seem like a nice luxury but just that - a luxury. Leather isn't necessary and the dvd system? Well, I can't comment on that - no kids yet.

I've never sprung for the high-end model. I usually go for the mid-range options. My current car (Subaru Forrester) has mid-range options plus has an "all-weather" package, which I love. The package includes heated seats and windshield wiper defrosters. The car also came with bluetooth, sunroof, and some other nice amenities. I couldn't justify the extra $3k though for the high-end model leather seats, a punchier engine, and some other fancy options.

for the most part the extra options will help your car retain its value should in the future you go to sell or trade in your car. i'm all for getting a slightly older car with the bells and whistles than a new (er) car that doesnt have them

Yes, go for it! You will be spending time in the car, you may as well make it as enjoyable as possible!

I went from my ancient Nissan Sentra that I have had since high school to a brand new Subaru Forester- we were going to get the base model, but ended up splurging on the mid-range. We really didn't want the leather seats, turbo, or DVD players in the highest range.

This is one of our best decisions- I love the heated seats and the sunroof, and the better radio/ipod player. I spend a lot of time in the car running errands, and will only spend more as our son grows and we have more kids, every time I drive it I have fun!

I say it's 100% worth it. I never felt this way until my latest car which I ended up getting with every option possible by accident - it was the right car at the right price. If you sell the car, you can get more for it, too.

The in dash GPS is SOOO much better than a handheld. I'll never go back! And, the top of the line models have a lot more safety features like the back up camera.

Heated seats are worth every extra penny. The rest of the stuff I don't care so much about (like having a moon roof or leather seats), but heated seats are one of the greatest inventions ever!

I would never again own a car without leather seats. They are so much easier to clean, and end up looking newer much longer, also the new car smell stays in cars with leather so much longer! I also LOVE my sunroof and have the sunroof open all the time in the spring/summer, I avoid using AC as much as possible, by using the sunroof. I wouldn't pay extra for nav, but it it came with the leather/sunroof I would be fine with having it. I also wouldn't pay extra for DVD. I added my remote start aftermarket, and I think it is a must have (but I live in a climate with really cold winters, and I have to park my car outside at work).

I have two words: heated seats! Haha I would pay extra for just that feature if I had to pick one!

Can you purchase an model 2 years older with all the features? Cars lose their value considerably come 4 years down the road the car has lost more than 40% of it's value and yet you have more to pay then what it's actually worth.

Maybe i'm not a good person to ask. I've had my tercel for 11 years now and will still have it with 2 kids in the back!