The Ultimate Gift Guide for Car Lovers
Original Post Date: November 17, 2023
Source: Autoweek
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No matter what kind of car lover you’re gifting, we’ve got you covered with these gift ideas.
Car enthusiasts are a particular bunch to buy for—trust us, we know—but that doesn't mean you, their loving family and friends, have to play it safe with gas cards and wiper fluid. With years of gear-testing experience and more than a few thousand miles under our belt, we're here to help you find the right gift for the car lover in your life. From trinkets to electronics and even full-blown experiences, these gifts will make driving that much more enjoyable.
And it doesn't have to break the bank either. Gifts ranging from $10 up to $650 can bring a smile to your favorite car enthusiast's face. As the seasons change and the holidays rapidly approach, here are some details on our favorite products to get you started. With the rush of online shopping impending, don't wait too long before deciding on what you want to gift-wrap this year.
Heads-up display is all the rage these days, and rightfully so, By displaying information closer to where your eyes are while driving, checking your speed becomes less of a distraction. But what if you want to see more information on your vehicle? This heads-up display shows coolant temperature, engine RPMS, and more. It simply plugs into your OBD-II port and mounts on your dashboard.
As your passengers enjoy more and more electronic devices, the demand for charging them grows. This backseat charging station aims to solve that, offering three varying USB-style charging ports. It mounts to a headrest and the cords coil back up into the housing to prevent tangles and messes.
Give your car-lover a behind-the-scenes look at Road & Track magazine with a Road & Track All Access membership. They'll receive unlimited digital access to RoadandTrack.com including exclusive content, Road & Track magazine delivered to their doorstep, invitations to virtual editor roundtables hosted by R&T editors, inclusion on Road & Track’s member-only R&T Insider newsletter, and discounts and free shipping on the Road & Track online shop. It’s the perfect gift for the ultimate enthusiast.
Keeping your eye on your vehicle's tire pressure is very important. Many new vehicles these days come with this option, but for older cars, you might need to buy a kit separately. This set from Tymate does the trick—the solar-powered display mounts on your dash, and reads tire pressure via individual sensors on the valve stems. The system can alert rapid air leakage, high pressure, and more to keep everyone in the vehicle safe.
Give the gift of the ultimate automotive experience! Smoky 600 is a four-day adventure through Appalachia curated by the editors of Road & Track. Guests can expect curated group drives led by editors, track time at NCM Motorsports Park, distillery tours and tastings, and stays at boutique hotels—culminating in a spirited grand finale drive down the iconic Tail of The Dragon.
For a real conversation starter, check out this engine-block coffee table. For even more customization, you can choose from a variety of color options. The tables begin as GM 4.8/5.3L blocks, which slowly morph into the table thanks to the addition of some pistons and a slab of glass. For a truly unique table, you can't go wrong with this.
The road outside is filled with harmful air pollutants, like disease soot and sulfur dioxide. The AQ Atem car air purifier sets out to capture these pollutants in our car. Affixed to the headrest, this sleek and compact air purifier uses hyper HEPA filters to turn out the purest air to breath for you and your loved ones. This air purifier is a great long-term health solution for car enthusiasts who want to prioritize their well-being while on the road.
Whether there are kids at home or someone is trying to find their inner child, a Lego set is a foolproof gift for any of the car lovers in your life. This Lego Technic Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 pays homage to the modern classic with two pull-back motors for racing fun once complete. At $40, it's hard to beat the joy this toy will bring. And if the Mustang isn't your thing, feel free to find a car of your choosing, with hundreds of models available.
Everyone knows Tesla cars are outliers, and that includes their charging stations. If your car lover owns a non-Tesla EV, this J1772 Charging Adapter from Lectron will allow them to access more than 15,000 Tesla charging stations in the U.S. We want to point out that the J1772 is not compatible with Tesla Superchargers—only Level 1 and 2 Tesla chargers.
Better still, if your family has more than one EV and one of them is a Tesla, now you can use the same charging station for all your EVs. Best of all, it stashes easily in the trunk or glove box.