Car options: Value added, or not

In many states it's now against the law to talk on a handheld phone while driving (cruising while eating a Big Mac, however, is totally legal everywhere). The Bluetooth option, available in cars such as the Chrysler 300C and Nissan Versa, means you can use a wireless connection and steering-wheel-mounted buttons to place and receive calls.

On factory-installed Bluetooth systems such as Audi's, your phone-book info is also downloaded to your car's in-dash display so you can scroll through a call list. Most systems incorporate voice-recognition technology, so initiating a call is simply a matter of saying "Call home."

Of course many cell phones already have built-in (albeit tinny) speakerphones, and some offer voice recognition as well. And you can buy an earpiece for next to nothing.

Factory-installed Bluetooth systems can run around $300, while a regular phone with similar features may cost $50 - that's a pretty big spread.

The Verdict: If you're conducting a lot of business from the driver's seat and need a crystal-clear, full-featured hookup, your car's Bluetooth is the answer. If you're just calling the family to say you're heading home, a handset's speakerphone or an earpiece should do the trick.