Oftentimes, automobile makers group several option features together and sell them as a package. Their intention is to give consumers the most popular and common features on a particular car model at substantial discounts compared to what they would cost individually. For example, an option package priced at $1,000 (one thousand dollars) may come with anti-lock brakes, power steering, tinted windows, and a compact disc player. If you were to purchase these features individually, it could add up to triple the price of the package. As a result, purchasing an option package can save you a lot of money. These packages, however, can obviously limit how much you can tailor your vehicle to your needs or desires. You may find that in order to get leather seats at a discounted price, you might be stuck with a sunroof you don't want. Also, keep in mind that buying a car with an expensive option package doesn't necessarily guarantee an increase in resale value. For instance, some features such as a rear defogger and tilt steering wheel may be optional on some cars, but treated as standard features in the used-car market. As a result, they may add no value to the resale price. A good tip to follow when deciding on option packages is to determine how useful the features in the package are to you. If it offers several features you're unlikely to use, even at a good price, it's probably not worth purchasing. You may find it's a better deal to pay more for the specific features you want.
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