‘pimp’ your own ride yourself if you love your car, but you want to make it your own. There are some unique and affordable ways to “pimp your ride” to reflect your personality.
Resale ValueSome people may want to buy a cheap beater car and pimp it out as an investment. According to Jalopnik.com, one contestant on the show, “Pimp My Ride,” bought a used Buick for $500 and sold it for $18,000. However, the show did all the work and the owner incurred no costs. In fact BCA, one of the largest car auction houses in Great Britain, warns that some modifications may actually devalue a car’s selling price. The company suggests that OEM or factory installed equipment is best. Tucson used (pre-owned) car dealerships can also help you determine if a way to pimp your ride will hurt your resale value.
LightsAccording to Motoring Mojo, the addition of HID light bulbs as replacement headlights is one relatively inexpensive way to customize your car. Just read your car manual for the proper way to replace headlamps. When you buy your headlamps, tell the merchant the make, model and year of your car. They can determine which bulbs you need.Speaking of exterior lighting, LED lighting is a great way to add unique looks to your personalized car. LED lighting kits start around $60 and run to around $300. These kits are for lighting effects and do not replace your legally required lights.
PlatesVanity plates enable you to pick the combination of letters and numbers. Be careful, however, not to choose something unoriginal and lame, such as MYCAR 1 or COOLRIDE. Be creative and clever! Your selection must be approved by the licensing authority and fees vary by state.Another way to add some bling to your car is to buy custom license plate frames. They start at around $10. More expensive frames may have LED lighting. These can be found at most auto stores and also online.
InteriorChanging your interior by adding a theme or surprising color is something you can do yourself or hire a professional. A pimped-out interior can cost thousands of dollars. Costs for simple slipcovers and matching floor mats are about $100 and you can easily install them. This is a great alternative to paying thousands of dollars on have custom interior installed.
Steering WheelAnother great way to modify your car’s interior is to add a new steering wheel. They come in a variety of materials including plastic, wood and carbon. Prices range from $50 to over $250. If you really want to do it on the cheap, buy a steering wheel cover. They come in all sorts of materials including leather, rubber and sheepskin. Prices run as low as $10 to $50 or more online or at your local auto parts shop but they are far easier to install than a new steering wheel.
WindowsWindow tinting is functional and adds to your car’s appearance. But, state laws vary on how dark your windows can be and enforcement tends to be stricter for cars that are pimped out. Whether you do it yourself or have a shop tint your windows, make sure you comply with the state law where your car is registered. Kits for do-it-yourself install start at around $150.00, to have windows professionally tinted for about $250.
DecalsCustomizing the exterior of your car is a favorite way to personalize or pimp your ride. It is not necessary to spend thousands of dollars for a custom paint job. A unique look can be accomplished by using decals or car-wrap kits. These can be ordered online where the selection is amazing. Costs depend on the amount of coverage.
WheelsStandard hubcaps and wheel rims are just plain boring. All pimp my ride enthusiasts recommend that you add rims and wheels with lots of sizzle such as spinners inside the hub caps. Rim packages can be as inexpensive as a little bit more than $50 per wheel to full packages priced in the thousands. If you buy online, you will have to have a shop install them for about $10 per wheel.