If you’re reading this, then chances are that you’re in a pickle about what sort of gift to buy for that car enthusiast friend of family member for the upcoming Christmas holidays. Well, worry not as we at CariCarz.com have given this a lot of thought and, hopefully, this list might just help you.

For this post, we’ve listed out gifts that should fit almost any budget below RM500. Depending on what you choose to give, these items will either be really useful, or evoke lots of fun for anyone receiving them. Evidently, that’s really the case with most car enthusiasts, and gifts need not be complicated nor pricey.

With that in mind, here goes…

Image source: ugreen.com

1. A Really Good Smartphone Car Mount

More often than not, a lot of drivers today depend on smartphone navigation apps when driving today. For those driving cars not equipped with navigation or smartphone-mirroring infotainment units, perhaps a really good and sturdy phone mount will go a long way.

This Ugreen-branded mount, for instance, which we found on sale through Shopee, is one of the better ones available out there. Though not the cheapest around, we find that it pays to pay a little extra for quality, especially with something that’s bound for frequent daily use.

Image source: Shopee

2. For The Kid At Heart

It’s no secret that most Petrolheads are indeed kids at heart still, and nothing will please that inner kid better than a toy car, more so if it is one made by arguably THE biggest toy car brand ever – Hot Wheels!

Yes, this treat may be small in size, but the significance they hold towards fans is far larger. Best of all, given just how affordably priced these pint sized toy cars are, it’s the one gift type that gets better should you buy more than one. The latter means something like this five-car set we found on sale via the Hot Wheels Official Shopee store will indeed be a great treat, and it will not break the bank too!

Top Tip: Besides Hot Wheels, its sister Mattel brand Matchbox or its Japanese rival Tomica (Takara Tomy) works just as well too!

Image source: PETRONAS Shop @ Setel.com

3. For the Formula 1 Fan

Thanks to a certain Netflix series and the increased on-track excitement of recent seasons, the sport that is Formula 1 has undergone a bit of a renaissance. This fact is made more evident at the increased number ‘casual’ fans it has garnered in recent years.

Locally though, you’re bound to come across a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team fan and, aptly, official merchandises like this stylish long-sleeve tee we found on sale online via the PETRONAS Shop will be a treat for such folks. At RM49 sans shipping costs, this gift won’t break the bank for you as the gift-giver too, plus it’s one that we reckon will see plenty of use by the lucky recipient too.

4. For The Lego Fan

Like Hot Wheels (or Matchbox and Tomica), the appeal of the Lego brand’s buildable blocks is equally universal amongst car fans, especially if it’s a set from its ever-expanding ‘Speed Champions’ series featuring officially-licensed cars.

While there are many to choose from, we reckon something as current as this Toyota GR Supra kit will do just nice. Also, stand-alone kits as such from Lego aren’t as pricey as you might think, with this one that’s on sale through the brand’s official Shopee store costing just about RM90 sans shipping.

Even if the person you’re gifting this to is more incline towards things like the next item, we’re certain they’ll love getting this gift still.

Image source: Tamiya.com

5. For The Avid DIY Builder

If you’ve got that one car nut friend or relative who’s pretty ‘hands-on’ with the DIY skills – and perhaps tools – to match, then gifts like a plastic scale model building kit will be a great addition to their never-ending quest to build and tinker.

Though there are plenty to choose from, a sub-RM150 budget is enough to get something as tasty as this Tamiya Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI kit that we found on sale through Shopee. This will keep its recipient busy for a while but, more often than not, the end result of those who can build things as such are very rewarding to look at marvel at.

6. This Portable Tyre Pump

Now this is a gift that’s handy for up-start home mechanics and the average Joe (or Jane) alike simply for its convenience and somewhat universal application.

This Xiaomi-branded portable electric tyre pump we found on sale online perfectly combines utility and portability in one sleek package. That gets sweetened further by the fact that it’s USB-chargeable, sports a user-friendly interface, and comes with a decently bright built-in LED light.

In short, this is perfect for both emergencies and non-emergencies, thus making for a handy thing to keep in the car. Also, at about RM150 sans shipping, this gift is arguably as cost-effective as it is convenient.

7. For Those With Rides Due For Service

Know a friend or relative who’s ride could use a little TLC? Why not subtly hint this by gifting them with a good quality lubricant, then? It might just be what they need to start giving their ride the much-needed care it needs.

The new and recently launched Shell Helix range of lubricants, for instance, isn’t a bad starting point. Sure, at RM280, this may not be the cheapest gift to buy, but at least it is somewhat ‘green’ thanks to its new carbon-neutral formulation, and easy to acquire through participating Shell stations, workshop, and online via Shell Malaysia’s official Shopee page.

Top Tip: Before buying this gift, do a little homework and find out if this is suitable for your friend’s or relative’s ride. Also, with lubricants, it’s always best to stick with reputable brand names and products.

8. This 5-Star* Dashcam

Should your gift budget permit, a dashcam is probably the best thing you can gift any avid car fan in this day and age. Thanks to the recently introduced CamScore rating scheme by MIROS, it’s now even easier to determine what’s the best you can get based on any budget.

Amongst many, this 70mai A500 model is a pretty solid choice considering the quality of features it offers, its footage capturing abilities, as well as its user-friendly interface. This ought to explain the 5-star CamScore rating it garnered. Available online through shopping platforms such as Shopee, this shouldn’t cost you more than RM350 with an 32GB SD card bundled in (excluding shipping).

Top Tip: Do factor in additional cost for installation services, which can be done at most car accessories shops. Alternatively, you could bug the friend or relative receiving item #5 for a hand instead.

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