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Car enthusiasts can be tough to shop for in the holiday season. You know exactly what kind of gift they're dreaming of, but you're not going to take out a car loan just because it's December. Besides, where do you even buy those giant ribbons? Luckily, there are plenty of affordable gifts to make their life as a driver and a car lover that much better. Here are KSL Cars' top 12 gifts for car lovers.
Custom-fit sunshade
Anyone with a leather interior will tell you that Utah summers can get a bit steamy, and Covercraft sun shades are the best defense against seat and steering wheel burn. They're custom made to fit your car's windshield, and block out nearly all sunlight to keep your car completely cool in the summer months. A custom sunshade will also protect your car from harmful UV rays that can discolor or damage the interior, preserving your interior for years to come.
Driving gloves
When it's not hot in Utah, it's usually freezing cold. A nice pair of leather driving gloves, like these from Auto Dromo, or Leather Up, can really enhance the drive on frigid mornings. Providing excellent warmth, grip and style, they're a great buy for any driving enthusiast or cold morning commuter. Plus, you'll look and feel like Ryan Gosling, which is always a bonus.
Polarized sunglasses
There are few things as irritating (or dangerous) to a driver as glare. It's an all-too-common problem, especially on Utah's shimmery winter roads, but it has a simple solution. Polarized sunglasses block out glare and provide clear views of the road ahead to make scenic drives more scenic and daily drives less dastardly. They don't have to be expensive, either — there are plenty of high-quality polarized sunglasses out there that won't break the bank.
Car prints
Your car lover probably had posters of their dream cars adorning their bedroom walls growing up, and even though they might have some of those cars in their garage now, a brand new poster is sure to make the nostalgia flow. Car photography has come a long way, and there are plenty of places online to find and frame prints. From user-sourced sites like Etsy and Redbubble to more targeted specialists, there's bound to be something online that would look better in their living room.
Engine diagnostic tool
We know it and we hate it — the dreaded check engine light illuminating your dashboard. Many of us take it as a sign to head to the mechanic, but if you've got a DIYer in your life, an engine diagnostic tool (also known as an OBD2 scanner) can help them ... well, do it themself! These tools pinpoint the problematic engine code and other important data, so your at-home auto pro can learn exactly what's going on before rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.
Custom rubber floor mats
With the salt and snow of winter comes dirty car floor mats and potential damage to your carpets. While standard rubber mats offer some all-weather protection, they occasionally don't fit well or extend up the sides of the footwell. That's where the custom all-weather liners from WeatherTech come in. "Each mat is custom measured to ensure an exact fit, and the sides of the liners extend all the way up to collect and contain liquid, dirt, snow, road salt and mud, so nothing leaks onto your car's factory carpeting," said Car and Driver.
Hot Wheels tracks and cars
Is the car lover in your life still about 10 years away from driving? For small speedsters it's tough to beat the fun of Hot Wheels cars and track kits. You'll have a blast setting up tracks and vrooming around couch cushions with your little one, then probably get jealous that you're too old to buy your own set. Who are we kidding? Car enthusiasts of any age would love to find a Hot Wheels set in their stockings.
Bird poop remover wipes
There's nothing worse than a local bird choosing your freshly washed car as the place to post up with their morning coffee and a copy of the Pigeon Press. Not to worry, Drop Wipes will rescue your car's paint from nefarious winged bombers. These specially formulated wipes are safe for any paint; all you have to do is wipe away the stain and voila! Paint saved!
Dash Cam
They record everything else in their lives, and driving's their favorite thing — this seems like a no-brainer. Dash cams might be at their most useful when used for evidence in the event of an accident or traffic ticket, but that's not all they're good for. They're also a great way to record scenic drives, and many even offer GPS, emergency services and smart-assistant compatibility. No matter why they want their drives on record, there are plenty of good dashcams out there to choose from.
Tile mate keychain
Whether cruising in the convertible or taking the sedan out to go shopping, nothing can ruin a good drive like not being able to find your keys or wallet. The Tile Mate key finder is a simple solution to this frustrating daily problem. Able to fit easily onto a key ring or slide in a wallet, Tile Mate connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth technology, ensuring that your car enthusiast won't be digging through every couch cushion in the house the next time their keys go missing.
Powered wheel brush
Anyone who likes to detail their car knows just how hard cleaning the wheels can be. Brake dust, road grime and debris can all make wheels exceptionally dirty and difficult to shine. This "Shark Tank" featured invention, available on Amazon, compresses the water pressure from your garden hose and attaches to a handled spinning brush (with interchangeable heads), making it an easy solution to your car lover's detailing woes.
Driving experiences
What do car enthusiasts love more than anything? Driving! Like so many cheesy movies have told us, the holiday season can be about more than what comes in a box. What they didn't mention is that the holiday season can be about zooming down a Vegas racetrack in the car of your dreams. Make the trip down to SpeedVegas, where your car lover can drive world-class supercars and racing trucks on an actual racetrack! If you want to stay closer to home, rent them a luxury vehicle from Instant Luxury Rentals Salt Lake City and explore one of Utah's many scenic drives. These experiences might not come cheap, but the memories they create will last a lifetime.
This holiday season, don't get stressed shopping for your car enthusiast. Between these gift ideas and over 45,000 new and used cars on KSL Cars to browse in your spare time, you're bound to find something they'll love.
Do you or someone you know have an awesome car story? We want to feature it! Send an email to cars@ksl.com. For more information and updates follow KSL Cars on Instagram and Facebook.
About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, writer, speaker and social media manager. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com for comments/questions, or just to say "hi."
