the bottom of it , we thought we would consult an expert -- David Bennett , Manager of Automotive Programs for AAA . As it turns out , like most things in life , the answer often just comes down to what 's best for you , depending on your own situation , budget or locale . Let 's address these add-ons one by one : Paint sealant `` I think that most paint jobs on cars are pretty good these days , so in most cases you probably do n't need that anymore , '' said Bennett , who offered one caveat . `` But that can depend on what part of the country you live in -- what the climate is , whether you get a lot of snow and ice , and what the road crews put down on the road -- whether it is salt , or if it is something that is less harmful to the paint . But generally , as long as you keep your car washed , and wash that salt off of it , and get it waxed regularly , that paint should last without getting the ` add-on ' sealer
-LRB- AOL Autos -RRB- -- Okay , you 've decided what model of car you want to buy . And you know , more or less , how much you want to spend -- or how much you can afford . You 've kicked tires , talked to salesmen , taken a few shiny new numbers for a test-drive and you 're ready to make the deal . If you eat in your car you may want to consider fabric or leather protections . Except , you 're not quite done . You still need to decide whether to buy any of those `` extras '' that your salesperson will always suggest . Some of these extras have real value and are probably worth adding . Others ... maybe not so much . The list of `` extras '' offered by most dealers , may include paint sealant , fabric protection/leather care , extended warranties , extended ` one price ' service contracts , rust/underbody coatings and anti-theft systems , to mention a few . We wanted to know which of these new car extras were worth it and which ones a consumer can do without . To get to