Gifts for Car Lovers

Car people spend Saturday mornings washing, tinkering and talking about what they would change. The best gifts help them do that properly: good detailing supplies, tools for small jobs in the garage, and a racing game for the months the car stays covered.

Under $25 7 ideas

  1. Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash, 64 oz

    A pH-balanced wash that will not strip wax like dish soap does. A consumable they will happily use up.

    Meguiar'sGets used up

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  2. Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer

    A spray detailer for removing dust and fingerprints between washes. Good for keeping in the trunk before a car show.

    Meguiar'sGets used upStocking stuffer

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  3. Chemical Guys Workhorse Professional Grade Microfiber Towels

    Thick microfiber that will not scratch paint. Car people never have enough clean towels.

    Chemical GuysStocking stuffer

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  4. AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

    A backlit gauge that is more accurate than the pencil gauge in the glovebox. A useful stocking stuffer.

    AstroAIStocking stuffer

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  5. Hot Wheels 20-Car Pack

    Twenty die-cast cars, great for a car lover's kids or for the desk. Nostalgic for adults, too.

    Hot WheelsWhite elephant

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  6. Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax

    A spray-on ceramic wax applied while the car is wet. Easy protection for the person who hates hand waxing.

    Meguiar'sGets used up

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  7. Griot's Garage Microfiber Wash Mitt

    A plush mitt that holds suds and is gentle on paint. Replaces the old sponge that leaves swirl marks.

    Griot's Garage

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Under $50 6 ideas

  1. Chemical Guys Torq Foam Blaster 6 Foam Wash Gun

    Attaches to a garden hose and covers the car in thick soap before washing. No pressure washer needed.

    Chemical Guys

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  2. TEKTON 1/2 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 24335

    For torquing lug nuts and bolts to spec instead of guessing. A tool many weekend mechanics are missing.

    TEKTON

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  3. FOXWELL NT301 OBD2 Scanner

    Reads and clears check-engine codes on most cars from 1996 on. Saves a trip to the parts store.

    FOXWELL

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  4. Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 5

    A detailed driving sim full of real cars, tuning and car culture. For PlayStation owners.

    Sony Interactive EntertainmentAn experience

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  5. Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition for Xbox

    Open-world racing across Mexico with hundreds of real cars. Fun for casual players and car nerds alike.

    Xbox Game StudiosAn experience

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  6. Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax

    A synthetic wax that goes on easily and lasts. A good wax for someone who details their own car.

    Meguiar'sGets used up

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Under $100 2 ideas

  1. DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 108 Piece DWMT73801

    A tidy case of sockets and ratchets that covers most small jobs on a car. A good start for a new car owner.

    DEWALT

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  2. Lisle 93102 Plastic Creeper

    A rolling creeper for working under the car, far nicer than lying on cardboard. Lisle makes it in the USA.

    Lisle

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$100 and up 3 ideas

  1. BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool

    Plugs into the port and reads codes on a phone with repair reports. More detailed than basic code readers.

    BlueDriver

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  2. NOCO Boost Plus GB40 Jump Starter

    A compact lithium jump starter that fits in the glovebox. Means never waiting for a stranger with cables.

    NOCO

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  3. Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

    A tiny dash cam that hides behind the mirror. Records the road and gives peace of mind for a car they care about.

    Garmin

    See it on Amazon