Car enthusiasts are naturally meticulous and picky about their preferences, so shopping for them — whether it be for a birthday, holiday, or special occasion — can be a challenge. I know from experience because I'm one of those people.
If you don't have the know-how or the funds to gift them the rare and expensive cars or parts they dream of, there are still a ton of cool and useful gifts any car lover will appreciate. To make shopping for the car enthusiasts on your list easier, I rounded up 31 clever gift ideas they'll be happy to receive, from video games to car accessories.
A slot car track
Slot cars are fun for car lovers of all ages, and Carerra makes some of the best tracks. This track set, in particular, features a DTM theme and includes the BMW G82 M4 GT3 and the Ferrari 488 GT3 for action-packed head-to-head racing.
Stylish menswear for Ford fanatics
Gear for Harley-Davidson lovers
A power washer to clean their car
Chemical Guys is known for its full line of car cleaning products and they recently released one of the most essential tools for cleaning — the power washer. Bundle this with the Big Mouth Max Release Foam Cannon for the ultimate setup.
A quick car dryer
The Chemical Guys ProBlow Dryer is the easiest way to dry a car without leaving streaks and watermarks. It makes the process a lot quicker and completely avoids potentially scratching the paint.
A smartphone mount
Car lovers would much rather spend their money on cool parts and accessories than pay a hefty fine for using a phone while driving. Giving them the iOttie iTap 3 is like giving the gift of safety. It can be mounted to the dash or windshield and is compatible with all smartphones.
A quick and easy detailing spray
Chemical Guys' newly launched Lucent Shine Spray is designed to deliver a streak-free shine to paint, glass, wheels, and metal, making it the perfect product to use all around.
Gran Turismo 7 for PS5
Gran Turismo 7 is an absolute must-have for auto enthusiasts who own a PS5. The realistic driving game is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022 and features a wide variety of fan-favorite cars. You can fully customize your cars, compete in races and challenges, and hone your driving skills with in-game driving courses.
A steering wheel and pedal set for racing games
If they want to improve their driving simulator experience, the best solution is to replace the video game controller with a steering wheel and pedal set.
Eco-friendly air fresheners
Replace those tacky tree-shaped air fresheners with a better-looking and better-smelling option. Drift clips onto the sun visor and use essential fragrance oil blends to keep the car smelling fresh for more than a month.
A modern radio with period-correct styling
The Blaupunkt Bremen headunit is the best way to integrate modern audio functions into classic cars while maintaining the period-correct look of the '80s and '90s. While it appears to have a cassette player, useful inputs like USB, SD, and AUX are hidden under the flap. And with Bluetooth connectivity, it has all of the features of a modern headunit.
A sporty steering wheel
You might not think twice about the steering wheel in your car, but auto enthusiasts pay attention to everything from the way it looks to how it feels. Founded in San Francisco, CA, Renown USA makes a variety of motorsport and race-inspired steering wheels that can be fitted to virtually any car that can be fitted with a MOMO hub adapter.
An AirTag for their car keys
Going on a spirited drive will almost certainly put a smile on the face of a car enthusiast, but without car keys, it won't be possible. Apple's AirTag is an easy solution to keep track of keys. It attaches to the key ring, seamlessly syncs to iPhones, and can be tracked down using GPS. They also work well with wallets, so your giftee won't have to worry about not being able to find their driver's license before heading out.
An HD dash camera
Featuring a front-facing camera and an interior-facing camera, the Cobra SC201 is one of the best dash cams you can buy for road safety and security. You can easily monitor your car while it's parked and quickly download recorded clips.
A custom poster or canvas of their favorite ride
Real car lovers look back at their ride whenever they park it and start to walk away. With a Respoke Collection Custom Car Print, they can get a glimpse of their car even when they're not in the driveway, garage, or parking lot. Simply upload a picture of their personal car (or another favorite car) and have it turned into high-quality wall art.
Custom floor mats
Coco Mats makes some of the best-looking, best-fitting, and most durable floor mats you can buy. The brand has custom-fitted floor mats for a wide assortment of vehicles and probably has a template for the car you're shopping for. If not, it will send you blank templates you can cut to the exact specifications. The Gift Box comes with floor mat swatches and a gift certificate.
A LEGO McLaren kit
The LEGO McLaren Senna GTR is nothing like the LEGOs from back in the day. This 830-piece kit can be built into a stunning supercar that auto enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy building.
A car cleaning kit
They say a clean car always drives better, so any auto lover will appreciate The Chemical Guys 16-Piece Car Wash Kit. It includes wash soap, detail spray, glass cleaner, wheel cleaner, cream wax, tire shine, and professional-grade accessories like a wheel cleaning brush, scratch-free microfiber cloths, and a wash mitt.
Driving loafers made from recycled plastic
Although you don't necessarily need to be a car enthusiast to enjoy a good pair of driving loafers, this pair from Rothy's is one they'll appreciate. The shoes are super lightweight, breathable, and made from recycled plastic bottles. Whether they're going for a spirited drive or walking around, their feet will always be comfortable.
A Bluetooth aux adapter
If you're shopping for someone who recently upgraded or will soon be upgrading to a smartphone without a 3.5mm auxiliary port, the Anker Soundsync Bluetooth Receiver is an extremely thoughtful gift. Rather than spending hundreds on a new Bluetooth-compatible car stereo, they'll be able to pair their phone via Bluetooth with ease via the aux port.
Two personalized leather keychains
Most car enthusiasts are all about customization and that even includes minor details like keychains. These custom leather keychains can be personalized just for them. For $47.25, you can get one side of each keychain stamped with words or letters of your choice. For $57, you can have both sides done.
A book on the history of cars
Covering everything from the very first automobiles to iconic cars like the Ford Model T, Porsche 911, and Ferrari F40, this book will keep any car enthusiast entertained for hours on end. With a plethora of pictures and information from past generations of cars, it makes for a great coffee table read.
A mechanic's tool kit
Every car person needs their own set of tools. Instead of rummaging through the random assortment of tools they've accumulated over time, the Craftsman 450-piece tool kit is well organized and includes everything they'll need to tackle mechanical work.
Forza Horizon 4 for XBOX One
If the car enthusiast you're shopping for owns an XBOX, Forza Motorsport is the best racing game for their console. It features a competitive racing game that can be enjoyed at any level.
A cordless tire inflator
This air compressor is a gift anyone, whether an enthusiast or not, will be able to use. Its cordless design makes inflating tires easier than ever before. And with an auto-off feature, they'll never have to worry about over-inflating.
Clutch and gas socks
If you insist on buying that special someone a practical gift like a pair of socks, these clutch and gas socks are a fun option. Even when they're not behind the wheel, they'll remind them of their love for driving.
Gear to match their BMW, Mercedes, or dream Ferrari
A pair of driving gloves
Even if you're not shopping for a race car driver, a pair of driving gloves will be appreciated by any car enthusiast. During the fall and winter, they keep hands from freezing on a cold steering wheel without losing the necessary grip for maneuvering.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch
Although the driving experience is far from realistic, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is extremely fun. They'll race their way through crazy tracks filled with obstacles like banana peels, bombs, and more. Car fan or not, it's a must-have game for all Nintendo Switch owners.
A car duster
The California Car Duster is an awesome gift for all types of car enthusiasts. Whether they're a meticulous collector who needs to dust off their garage queen every so often or they just like to keep their ride free of pollen and dirt in between washes, it's an effective tool to have.
An experiential gift
An outrageous coffee table
If you're shopping for the auto enthusiast who already has everything you could possibly think of (and you happen to have an extra $3,300 lying around), this big-bore, V8-style engine block coffee table will blow them away. Plus, you probably won't have to buy another gift for the next few years.
A handheld vacuum
Since keeping the inside of a car clean is equally as important as the outside, a hand-held vacuum is another must-have for car lovers. This vacuum fully charges in six hours to provide strong and efficient suction. With a flip-up brush head for dusting and cleaning upholstery and a pull-out crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas, it'll clean every corner of a car's interior.
A classic Hot Wheels track
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
