- Top 5
- car gift ideas
The holidays have arrived, and that means it’s time to go out and scoop up some gifts for your loved ones. And sure, you could get them something they need (“Oh, a raincoat!”), but clearly, the better option is to get them something they want. But where to start? Don’t worry – if it’s a car lover you’re shopping for, we’ve got you covered.
Included in this list is a wide assortment of gift ideas that’s sure to accomodate just about any budget. We’ve got stuff for folks with predilections for the practical, digital entertainment, handsome desk ornaments, classic toys, and even a few high-end items for those boys and girls who’ve been extra good this year.
So lube up that credit card, and read on.
Continue reading for TopSpeed’s Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas For 2016.
TopSpeed’s Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas For 2016
Air Compressor
This one is aimed at the at-home DIY-ers out there who’d rather not head to the gas station every time they need a few extra psi in their tires. Whether it’s to keep the daily driver in tip-top shape, to keep the trailer running smoothly down the road, or to provide assistance in the pits at a track day, an air compressor is one of those tools that can make life much, much easier for the self-reliant auto enthusiast. It also opens up the possibility for those magic little devices known as air tools.
Like many such devices, pricing for air compressors vary widely depending on capability. Some you can get for as little as $30, while at the top end, you’re looking at thousands and thousands. If you do end up getting an air compressor for your favorite car lover, don’t forget to snag a digital tire pressure gauge as well.
ABN Portable Air Compressor
Price: $39.99
Description: This is one of those portable models that plugs into your vehicles traditional 12-volt accessory socket and will work for car tires, sports balls, and bike tires with the included accessory kit. The pressure gauge reads up to 100 PSI. Check it out here.
Porter-Cable Pancake Compressor
Price: $99.00
Description: Easy to use and durable, this compressor has a 150 PSI tank and runs on a traditional 120-volt electrical outlet. The pump is oil-free, which means there is no maintenance to worry about. Small and easily portable, it can be filled in the house, then carried out to fill a tire without the need to route and extension cord at the same time. Check it out here.
California Air Tools Compressor with 5.5-Gallon Tank
Price:127.90
Description: This type of compressor has a much larger tank than the pancake style compressor above and is suitable for light air tool use. It’s quite a bit heavier but still reasonably portable. It wouldn’t be ideal for air tools that are used constantly over a long period of time, but for short bursts from an impact gun, cutoff wheel, or similar tools, this little compressor will cut down the maintenance time on your vehicles if you’re into DIY work and is still suitable for filling tires and sporting equipment. Check it out here.
High-Powered Flashlight
There’s just something very comforting about having a high-powered flashlight in the house. Not only is it useful when the power goes out, but auto enthusiasts will enjoy the extra illumination when wrenching under the hood. You can also keep one in the glove box in case you find yourself stranded on the side of the road and need to change a flat tire or flag down a passing motorist.
Once again, prices vary, with cheap options going for about $20, and high-end options going for several hundred bucks. If you really wanna go all out, there are even a few laser flashlights out there with enough power to cook breakfast!
Outlight A100 Handheld Flashlight
Price: $20.99
Description: 10-Watt LED Flashlight with a life span of up to 100,00 hours or more. A rechargeable, 3.7-volt, 3600 mah battery is included. The casing is made out of 6061T aluminum alloy and is water resistant. Five modes include high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS. Packaging includes a keychain flashlight of a similar design. Check it out here.
Kangora High-Powered LED Flashlight with Tactical Kit
Price: $53.99
Description: This model is quite similar to the one listed above, but is of better quality. It too includes the five same operating modes and a rechargeable 3.7-volt battery that can last up to six hours. It is perfect for fishing, camping and even personal defense when the strobe feature is activated. A smaller version for your keychain is also included as is a two-year warranty. Check it out here.
Legos
I gotta admit – I’m a 31-year-old man, and I still love playing with Legos. There’s just something so satisfying about snapping those little plastic bricks together, and when it’s all said and done, you get a very cool little model to show off. And when it comes to Legos, few things pair as well as cars.
This year, Lego released all kinds of new auto-themed kits, including a couple of Audi Le Mans endurance racers, a very intricate Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a replica Caterham Seven 620R, and a few Ford GT’s, including the old ’66 GT40 and the modern Le Mans competitor.
Speed Champions Ferrari Laferrari Lego kit
Price: $33.55
Description: 164 pieces of lego fun that includes a removable windscreen, driver’s cockpit, removable wheels, and lots of Ferrari detail, including the red finish. Check it out here.
Speed Champions Ford Mustang GT
Price:$23.59
Description: Another smaller kit, but fun in its own right. Looks great with the Ford F-150 Raptor Lego kit. Check it out here.
Speed Champions McLaren P1 Kit
Price: $24.25
Description: 168 pieces of pure McLaren fun. You might not be able to get your hands on a real P1, but this kit is fun to put together and will look great among the rest of your Lego kits. Check it out here.
Collectible Model Cars
Is there one car out there that your favorite enthusiast just can’t stop talking about? If so, a scale model collectible might be the perfect thing to park under the tree this year. Some of the less inexpensive options are only about $10, while more detailed models can be several hundred bucks, which means there should be at least one model out there that fits your budget.
If you just so happen to be looking for a little McLaren or Ariel Atom V8, we’ve featured both recently. Check out the McLarens here, and the Atom here.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Price: $9.95
Description: 1:36 scale car with openable doors and pull back action. A perfect and affordable gift for anyone looking to add to their model car collection. Check it out here.
’67 Ford Mustang GTA Fastback
Price: $26.99
Description: A little more expensive than the Porsche from above, this model is a 1:18 scale model (double the size of the car above) and is perfect for those classic Ford fans out there. Check it out here.
Three Old British Dudes
While you probably won’t be able to rent out Clarkson, Hammond, and May for the weekend, you can get the next best thing – a season of old Top Gear! Available on DVD, Blu-ray, or as a digital download, the three amigos are always a good choice for auto-style entertainment. Box sets and specials are also available. Check it out at amazon.com, shop.bbc.com, iTunes, or just about anywhere else modern media is sold. Expect to pay about $10 to $20 per season.
As an alternative, you can sign up your car lover for an Amazon Prime membership to grant access to the trio’s latest effort, The Grand Tour. But note, Amazon is offering free 30-day trials for Prime right now, which might pair nicely with a box of DVDs.
Top Gear Great Adventures 1-4 Box Set
Price: DVD: $44.43 Blue-ray: $10.99
Description: If you have a car guy on your list, you can’t go wrong with a box set of Top Gear. 11 Hours of Top Gear specials! Check it out here.
Video Games
I don’t care how old you are – playing video games is a fantastic use of time, especially if you delve into the racing genre. This year saw the release of a number of top-notch titles across multiple platforms, with highlights including Assetto Corsa (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Forza Horizon 3 (Xbox One, PC), Rocket League (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Trackmania Turbo (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Dirt Rally (Xbox One, PS4, PC), and F1 2016 (Xbox One, PS4, PC). Older titles like Forza Motorsport 6 (Xbox One, PC) and Gran Turismo 6 (PS3) are safe bets as well. If your gamer is more into mobile, you can also check out CS4 Racing 2 for iOS and Android devices.
Expect to pay $40 to $60. And if there’s a little money left over, a gaming steering wheel and pedal set ($50 to $300) helps massively in enhancing the more simulation-oriented titles.
Forza Horizon 3
Price: $29.99
Description: One of the newest car games out there for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. This is the Xbox One version, and can be had for $29.99 on disc form or you can opt for the immediate digital download for $39.99. Check it out here.
A Drone
Okay, so you fly it, you don’t drive it, but rest assured – a drone is still one of the coolest gifts you can give. And these days, you can get one for cheap, with micro drones selling for just $20. Or you can opt into the more expensive units ($150 to $500), with top-shelf items usually packing an onboard camera for those high-altitude glamour shots.
Tekstra Hubsan X4 with Camera
Price: $59.99
Description: Drones are growing in popularity but can be expensive. This is a decent starter kit that includes a 720P onboard camera and can fly for up to seven minutes at a time. No FAA registration required and has a six-axis flight control system suitable for doing aerial stunts and tricks. Check it out here.
Electric Transportation
Now we’re getting into the pricey stuff, starting with an electrified alternative to self-propelled mobility. Drop the two-wheeled tinderbox known as a hover board (that was so 2015), and go for something like this instead – an electric standup scooter. You’ll find all kinds of models out there, from rides for the kiddies, to street-legal vehicles for mom and dad. Expect to pay at least $250, with some of the nicer models reaching into the thousands. Not cheap, but hey – it’s cheaper than a Tesla.
Razor E300 Electric Scooter
Price: $219.99
Description: Much cheaper than some models, this little scooter does up to 15 mph and offers 40 minutes of continuous use. This is suitable for all age groups and can support adults that weight upward of 200 pounds as well. Check it out here.
Modobag
When I first saw this thing, I couldn’t stop laughing. But you know what? I still want one. Sure, it makes you look absolutely ridiculous, but who cares? You know, deep down, all those raised eyebrows are just jealousy in disguise. Sure, it might cost thousands of dollars, but if you travel for work, you can call it a business expense.
DTV Shredder
Here it is – the ultimate toy for this year’s gift guide. It’s called the Shredder, and for very good reason – just look at those chunky rubber treads. Making them go is 13 horsepower and 13 pound-feet of torque from a 196-cc four-stroke engine. That’s enough to propel this thing to a top speed of 30 mph over just about any surface this side of solid. You can even use it year-round – snow, dirt, mud… none can stop the Shredder.
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