5 Modern Amenities You Can Do Without in Your Car

"Do you really need one?" is a relevant question asked by car shoppers (new and used alike) to reflect on the equipment and features they wish to find onboard while keeping their budget in mind.

The progress in the auto and tech world has conditioned us to think that certain features have become vital and indispensable. In fact, however, this is rarely the case. The point here is not to convince you to abandon your air conditioner or electric windows, but rather to show you that many modern amenities are far from essential.

For example, here are five common amenities that are not necessary for everyone:

Navigation Systems

Naturally, when driving, we immediately think of navigation systems (GPS). Car manufacturers vaunted them a few years ago, but these days everyone has a smartphone with access to maps and other driving applications. If the used vehicle you have in mind doesn't possess connectivity options like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can simply make use of your phone, which will become your screen of reference.

Sunroof

Yes, a sunroof brings more fresh air and natural light into the passenger cabin, but the air conditioner is still there and it's easy to roll down the windows at any moment. Many owners of vehicles equipped with a sunroof become disillusioned once they start hearing undesirable noises coming from the roof, not to mention possible water infiltration.

Heated Seats

Heated front seats are now included as standard in the vast majority of new vehicles, so we no longer have the impression that they're a luxury. However, the time it takes for them to take effect is about the same time our bodies need to naturally eliminate the cold from our seats. In other words, after the initial shock of having this feature, we begin to think about it far less. If you really care about keeping your back and buttocks warm, heating cushions for the car are available in many stores and online markets.

Buttons (for this and that)

A button with a proximity sensor to unlock the car door, start the engine, or initiate the parking brake... Modern technology has gotten us used to the ease of pressing a button, but is it really so hard to use a key or a mechanical lever?

Driving Modes

More and more modern vehicles offer a choice of driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, etc.), but the reality is that the differences between these various modes are quite minimal in most cases. For the average driver, the difference is negligible.