It happens to us all. While trekking through a parking lot, we catch sight of our car and get hit with that awful sense of mortality. All things must die, and the car we depend on is rolling toward that milestone. We spot it in the face of passengers as their lips set in that pity line as they take in the cracked dash, decimated carpet and that old-car smell of funky upholstery and damp loam. The car that was once a source of pride is gone. Now our pride is based on the fact it's passed the six-digit mileage mark and is still running.
New car lust now sets in. The quickest way to regain a true appreciation for your old car is to visit a new car dealer, look at the window sticker and figure the monthly payments. Okay, it may be patriotic to buy American now, as we try to prop up the Big Three automakers, but a new monthly payment is still a new monthly payment, and we can be patriotic in a year or two. Besides, it's now patriotic to stay out of debt. Moreover, your car still runs dependably and there are cosmetic fixes and mechanical measures that can put the blush back on this rose for a whole lot of elbow grease, but not a whole lot of money.
A little elbow grease goes a long way
First the elbow grease part: clean that puppy, from top to bottom and interior; yes, even under the seats where you may turn up enough coin to pay for part of the spruce-up. Make a reasoned assessment of your car's worst dirt: bugs on the windshield, blackened wheels, dull and pitted chrome, along with faded-and-parched dashboards.
Extreme elbow grease can handle most of those issues, but there are de-buggers, chrome cleaner, wheel and tire treatments and vinyl treatments that work well with less effort. Start with a trip to your favorite auto parts store-or better yet, visit them online-and stock up on auto cleaners that meet the needs of the tasks at hand. Before you head for the checkout, look for detail kits. They contain specific cleaners and polishers and can save you money over purchasing each item individually.
On your way home with your booty, stop at a do-it-yourself car wash, one with a functioning vacuum as part of the package. You may have a perfectly good hose at home, but these convenience car washes are just that, convenient and a lot less mess. Another plus, the car washes are equipped with soap appropriate for auto paint, and many have a final rinse setting that cuts down on streaking.
If the vacuum isn't free with a wash, bring plenty of quarters to keep the vacuum running indefinitely. Don't rue the cost of the auto vacuum; unless you have an industrial strength vac with a very long cord and tubing, your home unit doesn't stand a chance against the grunge on your car floors.
Go home in your ultra-hygienic vehicle, park in the shade and use all your new car care goodies, finishing off with a good wax and buff. While you're at it, use a little rubbing compound and/or touch-up paint on those scratches. Congratulations, you're getting closer to that vehicle you once loved. All you need now are a few accessories and some items to cover up what cleaning can't fix.
Now it's time for some necessities to complete the makeover. Floor mats, to replace worn ones or cover up a carpet in its last throes, can be bought for as little as $20 a pair. (And for those who drive in a wet or snowy climate, flip them over with the rubber side up, so they're easier to keep clean.) Seat covers can be had for about the same, a price that won't get you Corinthian leather but will hide original upholstery gone to seed. Door edge guards are relatively inexpensive and can dress up your car's entry. If your original cup holder spills more of your drink than you get, center consoles with nooks for mugs, soda cans, coins, cell phone or iPod start at $12.
Along the same vein, when your dash has slipped beyond the pale, press on a cloth dash cover, or check out pricier kits to cover the damage in brushed aluminum-looking, wood- or leather-like materials. And after you've thoroughly cleaned up your car and vacuumed under those seats, you deserve a leather steering wheel cover.
How about that old-car aroma? You can opt for the traditional, if somewhat tacky, pine trees and lemon drops, but you can recapture that new car smell with a $3 "showroom fresh" gizmo you clip onto your air vent. The secret of the scent is hidden in little beads you pop into the gizmo.
If all the polish and degreaser in the store can't restore your wheels to their original beauty, you can add a set of wheel covers (again, $20 for four) in cool styles. They're made of plastic, but if you drive fast enough nobody will be able to tell.
While you're checking out your rims, take a close look at your tires. With all the money you can save by not buying a new vehicle, consider some fresher, fatter rubber. It's amazing what a new set of booties can do for your baby, in both looks and performance.
As for other mechanical items, installing an aftermarket intake or exhaust might breath new life into your car (literally), but consider your return on investment. Your first concern should be reliability, and get into a preventative maintenance mode. Now's the time to replace any old or cracked hoses and belts, clean off and seal the battery posts, check the water pump, and flush the radiator and transmission. Consider switching to a high-mileage type of engine oil (especially if you've neglected regular changes), and make sure your brakes and rotors are in top condition.
Overall, you're more likely to live with an older vehicle if it's running smoothly and more pleasant to look at. Follow these tips, and you'll be set with a car you don't have to apologize for, without adding an extra monthly payment to your budget.
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