Contrary to popular belief, finding the perfect gift for the car-lover in your life does not have to be difficult. In fact, their obsession with all-things automotive can actually make it easier to narrow things down to something they will genuinely appreciate.
It is the sheer volume of quality car gifts available that makes the whole thing a challenge. With so much to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to get started. You want to give them something of genuine practical value, but it also needs to show thought and sentiment.
With this in mind, here is a brief rundown of eight gift ideas you cannot go wrong with, even for the most discerning car lover in your life:
1. Driving Experience Days
The fact that there are hundreds of different types of driver experiences available makes it a no-brainer. Among the mix, you can guarantee there will be something the recipient will get a serious kick out of; classic examples of which include the opportunity to drive a supercar on a racetrack, taking to the roughest terrain in a 4×4 or even taking the helm of a military vehicle.
Better yet, why not go the whole hog and contribute towards renting a luxury car for a full weekend? Sports car and supercar rental prices can be surprisingly low, making for a great collective gift choice from all the family.
2. A Scale Model of Their Car
This is the kind of gift that is better suited to those who already own their dream car. Some petrol-heads who are lucky enough to drive their favourite cars spend their days and nights dreaming about their prized set of wheels. In which case, why not buy them a scale model of their car, which they can worship and adore at all hours of day and night?
Better yet, you could opt for a kit, giving them the opportunity to invest their time and effort in building the car themselves. Even if they are not normally into building scale models, they will take to the whole thing like a duck to water if it is a scale model of their own prize possession.
3. A Car Cleaning Kit
Edging slightly more towards the practical side of the spectrum, a good car cleaning kit is always well received. It can also be a great way of motivating the car lover in your life to invest a little more time and effort in keeping their car clean and sanitary.
Some car lovers are incredibly meticulous when it comes to keeping their vehicles in pristine condition. Elsewhere, others spend vast sums of money on prestigious vehicles, only for then to allow them to become caked in all manner of filth. The good news is that in both instances, a premium car cleaning kit will be equally well received.
4. Portable Car Vacuums
The same can also be said for a fantastic portable car vacuum, which usually comes as part of a kit with plenty of neat accessories. A compact vacuum cleaner that can be kept in the car’s boot is the ideal gadget for maintaining clean and sanitary interiors. Again, it can also be just the thing for giving a subtle hint to those who are not exactly showing their car the TLC it deserves.
Keep an eye out for things like high-capacity rechargeable batteries, HEPA filters to keep allergens at bay and multiple nozzles to get into all those tight spaces.
5. Motor Sports Tickets
Much as it may be a sweeping generalisation, most people who are into cars are also into motor sports. Some are no less obsessed with Formula 1, while others will happily stand in the mud and rain all day to watch rally drivers do their thing. Either way, you are looking at a welcome treat the recipient is guaranteed to appreciate.
If preferred, you can always go the whole hog and set them up with a complete package. Tickets to a motor sport event, transportation, a hotel booking and so on – the dream weekend away for many a car enthusiast.
6. A Boot and Backseat Organiser
Back on the practical side of things, an innovatively designed collapsible organiser can be just the thing for bringing order to chaos. This can be a surprisingly useful gift for anyone who owns a car that quickly becomes a dumping ground for all kinds of detritus. Or perhaps, for the kind of motorist who feels it necessary to carry a thousand and one things with them on every journey.
Do not be afraid to explore the full range of organisers and practical storage accessories available. Even if chaos and clutter is normally their way, they’ll welcome the opportunity to bring a little serenity to their interiors.
7. A Dashcam
Dashcams are becoming a mandatory feature in almost all types of road vehicles. History has shown how far too many motorists simply cannot be trusted to drive sensibly, or to tell the truth in the event of an accident.
Dashcam footage is playing an increasingly important role in settling insurance claims, along with more serious incidents brought before the courts. Without a dashcam, you could find yourself in a situation where it is your word against theirs. A dashcam is the kind of thing you hope you will never need, but will be glad you have when the time comes.
8. A Thermal Coffee Mug
You could always help the recipient get their daily caffeine fix, while at the same time doing their ‘bit’ for the environment. The classic of classics, a thermal coffee mug is the kind of practical gift you simply cannot go wrong with.
This counts double if you opt for a personalised thermal cup, embellished with whatever you see fit; their name, a motto that perfectly describes their personality or something more humorous, if preferred. They will welcome the sentiment, and they’ll also save a fortune on overpriced petrol station coffee.