Holiday Gift Guide: 15 Gifts for the Car Enthusiast in Your Life
The holiday season is in full swing and no matter if you have a short or long list gift ideas are always a plus—especially when it comes to that special someone who’s into cars. Whether you can tell a carburetor from a car gasket or not, BlackEnterprise.com has compiled a few automotive gift items for that car enthusiast in your life. From cutting edge gadgets and accessories to apparel choices, we’ve got 15 products that’ll rev up your holiday shopping list. —Branden J. Peters
The holiday season is in full swing and no matter if you have a short or long list gift ideas are always a plus—especially when it comes to that special someone who’s into cars. Whether you can tell a carburetor from a car gasket or not, BlackEnterprise.com has compiled a few automotive gift items for that car enthusiast in your life. From cutting edge gadgets and accessories to apparel choices, we’ve got 15 products that’ll rev up your holiday shopping list. —Branden J. Petersmore
Cobra Tag, $60
Keys and phones are two items that a lot of people lose the most. With that in mind comes Cobra Tag, which is a loss prevention system that works with Bluetooth and an app to sound an alarm when searching for either.
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Pioneer App Radio, $400
This is the first car stereo specifically designed to run iPod apps. The large 6.1†touchscreen display is designed to mimic that of the iPhone/iPod Touch, making it perfect for Mac enthusiasts.
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Cole Haan “Air Grant†Driving Loafer, $138
This hand-sewn shoe works well in or out of the car. The shoe’s versatility is only trumped by its comfort thanks to the concealed Nike Air cushioning in the heel. Perfect for the stylish driver in your social circle.
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Scosche MotorMOUTH II, $80
This plug and play device puts all of the convenience and safety of a Bluetooth hands free car kit into one gadget. The easy to use device also streams audio. Plugging directly into your car’s MP3/AUX input, drivers can voice dial on their mobile for crystal clear conversations thanks to special echo cancellation technology.
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Qmadix USB Twin Tablet Charging Hub 4.2, $40
With tablets becoming so popular, users need more options to charge them. What better time to juice up your device(s) than when you’re on the road. The Qmadix hub packs 4.2 amps, making it a great option to charge a tablet (or two) fairly quickly—and at the same time.
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Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD, $500
This beautiful 6.5†display makes watching videos on YouTube or NetFlix (with an iPhone) a pleasurable experience. The screen’s multi-angle adjustments and custom colors are impressive as well.
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Vogel’s TMS 346 RingO Car Pack Mount for iPad 2, $100
Made primarily for iPad 2 and just .2†thicker than the popular tablet, the RingO provides an easy to install and secure way for backseat passengers to be entertained. Ideal for road trips with the kids or anyone who has backseat passengers that need to be entertained during long rides.
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Alpine CDE-124SXM, $230
This moderately priced receiver package comes ready to play SiriusXM Satellite Radio right out of the box. The Instant Replay feature also allows users to pause Sat Radio for up to 30 minutes. Perfect for someone on your list who spends a lot of time on the road or just enjoys good music.
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Autodromo Watches, $425
The brand new timepiece company unveils watches that take design cues from vintage Italian sports cars. The three launched models feature Swiss movement, 42mm brushed stainless steel case and K1 Glass crystal with sapphire coating. Not many of us can afford a sports car, but these inspired wristwatches make for a suitable substitute.
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OnStar FMV, $300 plus installation (subscription $19 a month or $200 per year)
All of the safety and convenience GM customers have known for years is now available for most non-GM vehicles via OnStar FMV. The service is pricey but it’s proven to be a driver’s best friend indeed.
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Kanex AirBlue, $50
This little Bluetooth-enabled device allows user to wirelessly play music in the car or at home from their mp3 players. It is small, lightweight and also packs a battery life of 10 hours.
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John W. Nordstrom Deerskin Driving Gloves, $60
These classic driving gloves are a great gift for anyone who loves being behind the wheel. The premium leather is buttery soft and will no doubt improve with age no matter which of the two available covers you purchase.
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Cobra iRadar, $130
iRadar uses Bluetooth and a free Android/iPhone app, along with a dash-mounted detection device, to keep drivers safe and ticket free. This could be a financial lifesaver for the speed demons on your list.
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Tom Tom GoLive 1535M, $200
This is the first portable navigation device to feature Yelp, TripAdvisor, Twitter and Expedia but the app integration is just the icing on the cake. The true selling point is the GPS, which boasts the “most-accurate, real-time traffic coverage available.â€
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Mario Kart 7, $40
The kids may not be old enough to get behind the wheel but they can still drive with the latest game in the Mario Kart franchise. Good for kids of all ages.
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