8 Ways to Customize Your Car on a Budget

Everyone who has watched rapper Xzibit’s Pimp My Ride has probably fantasized of getting their car pimped out to look like it came straight out of a Fast and Furious movie. Unfortunately, such large-scale upgrades also mean forking out tons of cash.

But don’t despair. There many ways you can customize your ride and make it stand out without incurring debt. Here are eight of them.

Install Headlight Covers

Affordable and easy to install, headlight covers protect the headlight from kicked-up debris, minor abrasions, bug splatters, mud stains, and pedestrians. These covers come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. By installing these covers on your car, you can change the look of your headlights, as well as add tint or color to the light.

You choose from two different types of headlight covers: the optically clear, vinyl appliqués and the snap-on plastic or polymer resin covers. Both types can be removed and easily replaced as needed.

Headlight covers are legal in the country, but some places have laws that specify the minimum distance from which a car’s headlight must be seen. So make sure to check with your local authorities to avoid getting in trouble.

Upgrade Your Headlights

On the topic of headlights, there are now new lighting alternatives that are better and brighter than old halogen headlights. HID (high-intensity discharge) or xenon and LED (light-emitting diode) headlights are now available if you want to upgrade your vehicle.

Halogen lights are the most popular type of headlights. They emit bright white light and have a long life span, but they waste a lot of energy and generate excessive heat. Plus, they need to be cautiously handled as they react easily to other substances.

In terms of lighting performance, HID lights are on top of their game. They provide good illumination but use less power than halogens do and have longer life spans. But they can be quite costly.

With their small size, LED lights have a lot of potential in design. These light needs are more energy-efficient and need little power to work. However, they’re more expensive than halogens are and can heat up while in use.

Learn more about the types of headlights to choose the best upgrade for your vehicle.

Add a Vanity Plate

If you love making puns and wordplay, a vanity plate or personalized license plate is your chance to show off your skills. A vanity plate is a fun and witty way to add personality into your car exterior without the expensive cost.

You can personalize your license plate by choosing numbers, letters, and combinations you want for an extra fee. Vanity plates are extremely popular not just in the United States but in the entire North America.

They are legal in the entire United States, but each state has its own laws on vanity plates. Generally, they ban profane and obscene messages. In New York, they banned combinations FDNY, NYPD, and GOD.

Add Interior LED Accents

LED accents are all the rage these days. It’s no wonder because they give off an ultramodern vibe and make your good old car look like it’s a high-tech vehicle from the future. You can use LED accents to add color and brighten up the interior of your car. They’re called accent for a reason, so use them only to highlight certain parts.

The greatest thing about LED lights is that they use little energy and are small, so there are plenty of ways you can use them to customize your vehicle.

Use Floor Mats

Customization isn’t only about enhancing the look of your vehicle. In the case of floor mats, they add a layer of protection to the interior of your car. You can use custom-made floor mats such as those from WeatherTech to keep away crumbs, dirt, and stains on your car floor.

These floor mats are typically made from durable materials and are easy to clean. They’re also cleverly designed to keep water spills in the mat and away from the car floor and your feet. With these mats, you can get in your car even with mud-covered shoes and not be afraid of the mess later.

Replace Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers should be replaced twice a year or as soon as they start to show signs of wear and tear. If you’re getting a replacement anyway, why not get wipers that add an accent color to your vehicle? You can choose different styles and colors that will complete the look you want to achieve.

The average cost of replacing wiper blades is about $12 to $16, but the price rises depending on the type of wiper blades you get. Of course, if you’re planning to get stylish or customized blades, you should be prepared to pay a bit more.

Fancify Your Car Logo

Add a luxurious vibe to your car by putting some bling on its maker logo or emblem. You can use rhinestones or crystals to complement the metallic logo and make it truly pop out. The sparkly additions are sure to draw the eyes.

Rhinestones and crystals are available in many different colors, so you can choose any look you want for your car’s maker emblem. The stones are cheap and removable, which means you can switch up the look of your car logo whenever you want to.

Make Your Tires Shine

Tires are like the shoes of your car. They top off the look of your vehicle, and they’re one of the first few things people notice. No matter how shiny the body of your car is, if the wheels are dull and dirty, they will make your vehicle look old and shabby.

Make your tires look brand-new by giving them a thorough cleaning, and use tire-friendly blackening spray to restore the rubber’s dark color. Give them a custom look by adding some bling or lights.

Last Thoughts

There lots of affordable things you can add to or replace in your vehicle. You don’t have to wait in vain for Xzibit to pimp your ride or spend a whole lot of money for expensive alterations to your car. Minor changes like adding headlight covers and installing LED interior accents can give your add sleekness to your car and give it a different vibe.

Exit mobile version