When it comes to choosing options for your car, more does not necessarily mean better. Loading your car with all the bells and whistles could hurt not only your pocketbook, but also your vehicle’s future resale value. A premium sound system might be music to your ears, but it’s hardly a crowd drawer among people looking to buy a secondhand car. Sure, the psychedelic paint job might not be too bad, but only if you can get a nostalgic baby boomer to take it off your hands later on.

So, which options are worth the extra tab? Consumer experts say that you can never go wrong with options that improve your car’s safety and enhance your driving pleasure. Whether you intend to sell your car someday or pass it on to your first-born when she’s old enough to drive, options that increase safety, comfort, and performance make practical additions to your vehicle. If you do plan on selling your vehicle later on, you might be pleased to know that some of these options tend to be desired by used car buyers, as well.

From the point of view of resale value, car options may be informally classified into three types: the must-have safety options, the desirable options, and the nonessential options. Knowing which car options fall under which category can help you choose the right options that will not negate your investment.

Must-have safety options

Safety options that provide excellent crash protection and accident avoidance top the list of every car buyer. Different manufacturers have different names for some of these safety features, but these safety options basically operate under the same principles. Here are the most noteworthy safety options available:

Side air bags and curtain air bags

Antilock braking system

Electronic stability control

Safety belt pretensioners and force limiters

Rollover resistance

Traction control

Backing assistance systems

Tire-pressure monitor

Desirable options

Performance and comfort come a close second to safety when automobile options are concerned. Performance enhancers like automatic transmission and high-quality tires rate highly among used car buyers. Likewise, options that help create a pleasant driving experience are also popular. However, some foresight is required when choosing in-car entertainment systems, because the cutting-edge audio-video system you install today might become obsolete by the time you sell your vehicle. For practical purposes, choose entertainment options that anticipate changing technologies. Here are some performance and comfort options to look into:

Automatic transmission

Air conditioning/climate control systems

In-car entertainment systems

Sunroof

Leather seats

High-quality tires

Power locks and windows

Nonessential options

Unless you’ve got money to burn, these options are better left to vehicles driven by James Bond or Austin Powers. In-car communication systems that require a fee-based network subscription could turn off many used car buyers. Customization features such as a purple paint job or a sports trim may not appeal to mainstream used car buyers. The following are car options that you can easily do without:

Active/laser cruise control

High-technology navigation systems

In-car communication systems that require a network subscription, such as satellite radio

Remote start systems

Aftermarket treatments like rustproofing, undercoating and fabric protection.

Certain trim packages and custom paint jobs