The automotive world is rich with accessories and modifications, each offering a way to personalize and enhance a vehicle’s appearance or performance. However, not all of these additions are met with universal approval. For Baby Boomers, a generation that witnessed the golden age of muscle cars and classic automotive design, many modern car accessories may seem unnecessary, overly flashy, or even absurd.
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Oversized Spoilers
Functioning primarily as a style statement rather than for performance enhancement on most vehicles, large spoilers can be seen as excessive. Prices range from $100 to over $1,000, depending on the material and design.
Spinner Rims
Spinners continue rotating after the vehicle has stopped, creating an attention-grabbing effect. Seen as flashy and unnecessary, they can cost anywhere from $200 to several thousand dollars for a set.
Fake Hood Scoops
These are purely decorative and do not provide any actual performance benefits, often viewed as inauthentic or tacky. Prices are typically around $50 to $100.
Neon Interior Lighting
Similar to underbody lights, neon or LED interior lighting customizes a car’s interior ambiance but can be seen as gaudy or distracting. These kits usually cost between $30 and $100.
Car Eyelashes
Placed on headlights to give a car a “face,” car eyelashes can be seen as whimsical but also silly or unnecessary. They are often priced under $20 and are available at various online retailers.
Dashboard Bobbleheads
While they can add a personal touch to a vehicle’s interior, bobbleheads may be viewed as clutter or distractions. These novelty items are usually priced under $20.
Sticker Bombs
Covering parts of a car with a multitude of stickers to create a collage effect can be seen as defacing the vehicle’s appearance. Sticker packs can be bought for as little as $10 to $20.
Hula Dashboard Dolls
A classic decoration that nods to vintage car culture, these can be perceived as outdated or kitsch. Hula dolls are typically available for $10 to $25.
Fake Bullet Hole Stickers
Meant to give a rugged or edgy appearance, these stickers can seem tasteless or insensitive, often costing less than $10 for a set.
Vanity License Plate Frames
Frames with quirky or personal messages can be seen as an unnecessary ego boost. Depending on the customization, they can cost between $10 and $50.
Aftermarket Vertical Doors
Inspired by high-end sports cars, these doors can be impractical for everyday use and expensive to install, with kits ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000.
Window Tints Beyond Legal Limits
Excessively dark tints can impair visibility and are illegal in many areas, with full car tinting services costing between $100 and $400.
Novelty Horn Sounds
Horns that play melodies or sound effects can be amusing to some but annoying to others. Such kits typically cost between $20 and $100.
Antenna Toppers
Decorative items placed on car antennas, like foam balls or figures, can be viewed as childish. These usually cost under $10.
Steering Wheel Covers with Flashy Designs
Covers that feature bright colors, unusual textures, or flashy patterns can clash with a car’s interior and be seen as tacky. These are widely available in automotive stores and online, with prices ranging from $10 to $30.
Flame Decals
Applying flame decals to the sides of a vehicle can give it a dated or over-the-top appearance. Once popular in the custom car scene, they can now make a car look outdated rather than customized. These decals can be found online and in auto parts stores, generally costing between $50 and $200, depending on the size and design quality.
Hood Ornaments
Adding aftermarket hood ornaments, especially those that mimic luxury brands or are overly ornate, can seem pretentious or tacky to some. These can range from generic designs to more elaborate custom pieces, with prices varying from $15 to $100 or more, available through online retailers and specialty car accessory stores.
Car Bras
The use of car bras, or front-end masks, intended to protect the paint from chips and scratches, can be seen as outdated or unsightly, covering the vehicle’s design. While practical in some scenarios, their appearance can detract from the car’s aesthetics. Car bras are sold in many automotive stores and online, with prices usually between $50 and $150.
Window Graphics and Wraps
Full window graphics or wraps that depict scenes or patterns can obscure visibility and are often seen as overly flashy or distracting. These customizations can be particularly expensive, ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the vehicle size and complexity of the design.
Neon Shift Knobs
Shift knobs that light up with neon or LED colors can be considered unnecessary and gimmicky, prioritizing flash over function. They can be particularly jarring in a vehicle that otherwise has a conservative interior. Prices for these shift knobs usually fall between $20 and $60 and are available in various online stores and car accessory shops.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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