Top gifts for 2nd-hand vehicles

We at Carmudi Philippines understand that car guys also want to give their rides presents, especially cars that have been in service for several year, which  may have been handed down to them or was bought from the used car market.

That said, we have listed down some of the best gifts drivers can give their beloved vehicles. Written in no particular order, here are our top picks for the best Christmas presents for your second-hand car.

Wheels, tires

Your old car deserves new shoes, which will come in the form of a fresh set of wheels and tires.

If your vehicle was handed down to you (like my all-manual 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer GLi) or bought from the second-hand market, it is likely that the wheels might have gutter marks, scratches, some sort of discoloration, missing wheel caps, as well as non-matching valve covers and tires.

While others might discourage you from spending your hard earned money on an aged automobile — and make the usual “okay na yan basta umaandar (it’s okay as long as it’s running)” comment — ensuring that your ride runs on a good set of wheels and tires can give you peace of mind, and nods of approval from dads and titos, of course.

Today’s market offers a wealth of options that will allow owners to find the design that suits their build and their allotted budget. From classics such as the multi-spoked BBS wheels (which by the way can be challenging to wash) and the performance-oriented Volk Racing TE37 (let’s not forget the rally-inspired OZ Racing mags), to modern wheels that come with two-toned finishes — dressing up your car has never been more fun.

Similarly, the Philippine tire market also has tons of offerings that are both durable and affordable. On that note, finding the right tire to match your new wheels won’t be a hassle.

Steering wheel

For obvious reasons, the part of your vehicle you touch the most is the steering wheel. That said, second hand cars will most likely have steering wheels with worn-out upholsteries or faded plastic components. Not only can they be an eye sore, but having lost a good amount of their original material can make them slippery.

In addition, age can affect some of its functions like the horn — or worse — the air bag.

It is recommended that you take your car to the dealership, which may have replacement parts if you are lucky.

People with older vehicles can source steering wheels from online marketplaces, internet forums, and social media groups dedicated to the brand and models they own.

One can also look to the local aftermarket industry as many companies produce steering wheels that could fit senior cars.

Seats

Another way of showing your car some tender loving care is to give it new seats. Most cars in the 1990s had fabric upholstery as leather fittings back then were reserved for the premium, upmarket models.

Fabric covers are practical choices and the materials used in the last decade had some impressive patterns that not only bring a good dose of nostalgia but also does a good job of hiding dirt and smudges.

The online marketplace has plenty of used car seats that are still in decent condition — that’s if you want to stick with the stock option and are going for a “just-rolled-out-of-the-dealership” look.

But if you don’t mind spending a little more dough, you can check out products offered by aftermarket companies like Recaro. They sell a handful of seats, from comfy and “cushiony” models to sporty and aggressive bucket-type samples. These products can breathe new life into the interior of your old car while improving the car’s overall riding quality.

Just make sure to look out for dupes as many sellers peddle fake products. If the price appears to be too good to be true, then it probably isn’t.

Rugs, deep dish matting

Rugs and deep dish matting are gifts your second-hand cars are sure to appreciate. It is most likely that the original mats that came with the vehicle already have holes or are in tatters, and replacing them can prevent further damage from the molded carpet.

These can be easy purchases as the likelihood of you finding an original mat that can fit your car is very likely. You can also get custom-made mats from sellers that personalize automobile parts.

Standard rugs can offer decent protection and are easy to maintain, where as deep dish matting are ideal for cars that often accommodate or cater to passengers with messier requirements. That said, they are usually fitted on pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles.

Air fresheners, dehumidifiers

Not all gifts need to be expensive, some can be affordable — like air fresheners and dehumidifiers.

Air fresheners come in different shapes and sizes. Some are packaged in cans while others are placed in bottles that hang around your rear view mirror. Several manufacturers even make special holders that can clip right onto your car’s air conditioning vents.

You can also go with classics, like the various products offered by Little Trees. You can get them in different scents as well as in other colors that might match the paint of your car.

The author is rocking a gold-on-gold setup (gold air freshener, gold painted car), thanks to our Managing Editor, Ruben Manahan IV.

Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, help prevent moisture from building up in the cabin. Putting one inside your car can stop molds and mildews from developing.

Dashcams

Nowadays, we take automotive digital video recorders (DVR) for granted as they often come as standard appointments on most models sold on the market. But, if you are driving a second-hand car, there is a fat chance that it didn’t come with one.

So, it would be fitting to gift your vehicle with a dashcam.

Dashcams can record incidents that can either help clear up investigations on vehicular accidents and get owners out of sticky situations.

It can capture necessary evidence to see who bumped who, whether you are driving on the road or sitting still in the parking lot.

There are various types of dashcams available in the market with some sticking to the DVR function while others offering additional features like global positioning system tracking.

Final thoughts

The abovementioned are some of our best picks for gifts you can give your secondhand car.

While they are presents that we at the editorial team would want our own cars to have, you can also use this as your guide when you want to gift a fellow car enthusiast — or a special someone in your life who lovingly maintains a used car.

For a selection of pre-loved vehicles, check out our website to find the best listings of second-hand cars.

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