| Car Life
a cheap car mod with a "go in style" personalized license plate

Vehicle customizations may bring to mind expensive lift kits and window tints, but you don’t have to actually break the bank to put personal touches on your car. There are plenty of affordable ways to make your ride uniquely yours. Here are some of our favorite ideas for cheap car mods under $100, but before making any alterations, be sure to check that your car will still be street legal.

Bumper Stickers

With seemingly endless options, bumper stickers are a great way to put your personality on display. Let people know which causes you care about. Tell the world which teams you root for. Make it known that you completed a full marathon. Show off your sense of humor to the entire city. Your rear window or bumper is a canvas, and these affordable stickers are your paint.

Steering Wheel Covers and Seat Covers

Some customizations can protect you or your vehicle. Some customizations are cosmetic. Steering wheel covers and seat covers are examples of multi-purpose customizations! The leopard print or zebra pattern (or any design you choose) might look great, but these colorful covers can also prevent wear and tear and make driving more comfortable. Steering wheel covers can also improve your grip, potentially making your drive safer.

Vanity Plates

Ever pull up to an intersection and see an unforgettable personalized license plate in front of you? Well, with a little creativity and a few dollars, you too could have your own vanity plate! Regulations and expenses vary from state to state for personalized plates, but generally speaking, the associated costs are normally under $100 with a possible renewal fee the following year. If you want to let the whole world know you’re the #1UGAFAN or that you’re feeling a little bit DNGROUS, this could be your chance!

Sound System

One of the most freeing feelings is cruising around in your car with the windows down and the music blaring. But did you know you can make that experience even more enjoyable for less than $100 with upgraded speakers? While you won’t get all of the features you’ll find in a top-of-the-line sound system, you will have endless hours of fun jamming out and singing along to your favorite tunes. You could even start slowly assembling a new sound system one purchase at a time.

Lighting

Want your car to shine bright at night? Depending on where you live, you can try out new lighting on your vehicle. If the law allows it in your state, you could consider adding underglow or interior lighting. But no matter what the law says, it’s probably best to steer clear of blue or red lights to avoid confusion.

Floor Mats

There’s nothing wrong with factory floor mats, but if you want to change up the look of your car’s interior, this is a good place to start. You can get a new set of mats for cheap, and you might be able to find an option that will stand up better to wet shoes and spills.

Tire Covers

This one might not apply to you, but if you are a Jeep owner, or if you own a comparable vehicle with the spare tire on display, you could show some personality with a tire cover. Instead of having a plain tire exposed to the elements, buy a cover with an inspiring phrase, a cool pattern, or your favorite team’s logo.

Special Splurge: Rims, Tires, or Spoilers

We’ve focused mainly on cheaper customizations, but if you’re willing to spend a little bit extra on your ride, new rims, tires, or a spoiler could be a great option.

The right rims will help your car stand out from others of the same make and model. If you have a larger vehicle you want to take off-roading, you could purchase all-terrain tires. You could also search for vintage-looking whitewall tires to take a trip back in time. At some point, you’re going to need new tires, so maybe you just set a little extra money aside for when that time comes. Decorative spoilers can be found for right around $100, but if you want one that might actually improve your performance, the price goes up.

You know what else you can customize? Your payment schedule if you get auto insurance from Direct Auto! Give us a call or stop by to learn how we can help you find and affordable policy.