If you drive a cheap car, that doesn’t have to mean you have a car that you can’t enjoy driving. There are lots of ways to make your affordable car look and feel more expensive than it really is. You probably won’t even have to pay for an installer either, since minimal to no mechanical skills are needed, saving you even more money.
Add A Steering Wheel Cover
A steering wheel cover will increase the appeal of your car’s interior. There are lots of designs and types available, including leather, padded, carbon fiber, and whimsical options. You can choose from many other colors and themes too, such as your favorite sports team. There are even covers that glow in the dark. A steering wheel cover is not only a cosmetic change, it can also be more comfortable, cooler to the touch after your car has been baking in the sun, and more grippy, adding a layer of safety. There are plenty of covers to choose from that start in the $15 range. Putting one on is as simple as cleaning the existing surface and putting the cover in place.
Wax Your Car
Some good old-fashioned elbow grease can give your car a shiny, new look. A good wax job will also protect your car’s paint from exposure to damaging elements and could save you an expensive pain job. Wax products begin at about $5.
Enhance Sound and Performance on a Budget
Luxury isn’t just about leather seats and high-end tech. It’s also about the way your car feels and sounds. One of the most affordable ways to elevate that experience is by upgrading your exhaust system. Investing in quality aftermarket exhaust parts can give your car a refined, throaty sound while improving engine efficiency. The right components enhance performance without breaking the bank, bringing a touch of high-performance sophistication to even modest vehicles. It’s a small change that makes a big impact on how luxurious your drive feels.
Get A Trunk Organizer
Even the very tidiest people can soon find that their trunks are turning into an unruly mess as things start to move and pile up as you drive. A trunk organizer is a cheap thing to buy that can help to keep this often untidy part of your car looking nice and neat. You can buy a trunk organizer for as little as $15.
Add Bluetooth
If your car doesn’t have Bluetooth that lets you stream music or use your phone hands-free, there are a few options out there. You can use a universal kit that is stand-alone, which doesn’t need to interact with your car’s stereo, or you can use an adapter that connects to your stereo or switch to an aftermarket stereo that is Bluetooth enabled. All of these options are relatively affordable. A stereo might need an installer, but the others you can do yourself. You could also add more luxury by upgrading your speakers. For example, if you want a new better speakers, you can find great options at shaunbloodworth.com.
Shine Your Tires
Do you want tires that glisten in the sunlight? All you need to do is use a shine spray to get this pleasing look. You buy cans of tire shine coating for as little as $8.50.
Install A Backup Camera
A backup camera is a common feature on new cars, but you can add one to older cars too. This safety feature will modernize your car, help with blind spots, and allow you to see what is happening behind you. A backup camera can be expensive to install, and the type of screen that your car requires can add up the costs too. However, you can find kits for about $40 that are plug-and-play, making for easy installation. Sometimes, good enough is better than nothing.
Add A Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The government made it a requirement for new cars to have a tire pressure monitoring system as standard equipment after 2007, but what if your car is older than that? You can make your car feel less cheap by upgrading to modern technology. A TPMS kit will keep an eye out for low tire pressure. It can be expensive to add this if the TPMS is a more complex series of sensors and wiring, but there are wireless Bluetooth-based setups starting at around $80.
Put On Seat Covers
Seat covers are a jack of all trades. They will give your interior a custom look, can be washed or wiped if they get dirty, can add comfort, and might just keep you cool or warm, depending on the temperature outside. You can also get pet-friendly seat covers. Choose from basic, camo, sheepskin, towel, cushioned, and more options. If you’re really into this idea, aside from lots of colors and designs available, you can also get custom covers made with a photo that you submit. Seat covers are a simple thing that anyone can install, and you can find them for sale for very low prices.
Repair Your Paint
Quality paint jobs or even touch-ups from a professional can be expensive, but there is a very affordable way to hide minor, superficial chips and scratches in your car’s paint. You can just use a repair pen. You can usually get these pens for less than $15. It takes only a few seconds or minutes to give damaged paint an improved look. Pens are also available to color match to the factory paint color.
Put In Floor Mats
Everything that you step on the outside becomes a layer of muck on the floor inside your car, whether that’s clumps of dirt, rocks, snow, or mud. They can all soil your clean car in just one step. Adding some floor mats will act as a protective layer and hide whatever damage has already happened to the carpet or reflect your personality. Car mats are made from carpet or rubber and can be bought very cheaply. Installation is as simple as dropping the mat into place. Make sure you check the dimensions or look for vehicle-specific products before you buy anything.
Switch Your Fuel Door
There are lots of options for fuel doors, including stainless steel or chrome-plated. It’s possible that with these options, upgrading your fuel-filler door could make the rest of your car’s exterior look cheaper, but it’s worth the risk. Locking versions also are available, which can be more secure. If you want don’t want to spend more than $30 to make your car look more expensive than it is, then this is a great option.