5 Ways To Tech-Bling Your Older Car
Feel like you're missing out by driving an older car? If it's nothing expensive or rare, the benefit is you're shelling out a whole lot less cash over buying new, but the drawback is you'll be missing out on all the tech-goodness that manufacturers are chucking onto their new models.
But what aftermarket gear is available to get some of those sweet modern gadgets onboard, and make your last-generation model appear newer than it is? Follow some of these ways, and you'll have contemporary tech for the fraction of the price of optioning it on new vehicle.
Digital radio & Bluetooth
Having access to only FM radio over DAB is a bit like putting up with the old analogue terrestrial TV compared to digital - poor reception and quality, and a distinct lack of channel choice. Unless, you enjoy listening to crummy local DJs, that is, or carrying around a load of scratched CDs in your trunk.
There are a couple of ways to go here. First off, the obvious way is to go out and buy yourself a replacement head unit, with a single or 'double-din' unit, depending on what can fit in your car. The cost is reasonable, most will feature DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity - but make sure to check for those in the description - and big names such as Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony, Alpine and JVC make them.
Oh, and if you own an Apple device, check out the new range of aftermarket Apple CarPlay head units that are starting to filter onto the market. Slightly more expensive, but worth it if you're an Apple fan or use their products.
Full paintwork detail & Chipex paint chip repair system
Yes, you're wondering why this is included but its simple; with a full paintwork machine polish by a professional detailer you can make your car look as good - if not better - than the day it left the showroom. Indeed, some of the previous generation models from manufacturers are little more than a facelift and it's hard to tell the versions apart sometimes and with your car's paintwork shining like a mirror it's even more difficult.
Machine polishing a car's paintwork is an art in itself, and you can forget old-school polishes too, as the detailing products available now also have some serious chemistry tech behind them.
Keeping the paint looking fresh isn't easy though, especially if you're running up and down motorways frequently, but Chipex makes a paint chip kit that's way more advanced than those messy touch-up pens which give an uneven and ugly finish.
Chipex's revolutionary version matches virtually any car manufacturer paint to perfection on the planet using the exact color formation (there's even a 100% color match guarantee), and the kit is premixed with clear coat lacquer and therefore there's no second layer to apply. Chipex state the finish is seamless, saving a fortune in having to repaint a panel. Clever stuff, and it's yet something else to keep your car looking more modern than it is.
Satellite navigation
Okay, so this one may be obvious but hear me out. Why get a satellite navigation system installed when you can use a smartphone app or buy a portable unit to stick to your screen? Well, if you want to modernize your car's cabin, you'll want an integrated system.
For this your dash will need to be able to fit a 'double-din' system in. The navigation units will do everything other stereos will - Bluetooth, DAB radio etc. - but there's the bonus of now having fully-integrated satellite navigation. Prices vary hugely, but expect to pay from $300 all the way up to $1,000.
360º camera system
Reverse cameras are ten-a-penny now, and easy to fit. However, you don't want that for your ride, do you?! Nah, instead, you should consider one of those cool surround-camera systems, where you can not only see the front, rear and sides, but also get an incredibly cool top view.
Only available on new cars as pricey optional extras until recently, you can now buy them as aftermarket systems. At around $1,000 they aren't cheap, and you'll need a composite RCA display to go with it, but you'll be the envy of your passengers and you'll also be able to park in the tightest spots.
In-car espresso maker
In the past few years coffee drinking seems to have exploded, with just about street corner having a coffee hut.
That's no good if you're in the back end of nowhere and are starting to get headachy withdrawals because of your daily caffeine fix though is it! No worries, as there's now a truly brilliant device made by Handpresso, namely the Handpresso Auto, which uses the power from your car's 12-volt socket. Fiat actually sells this as an option on some of their models, but while it's branded as a Lavazza version it's actually a Handpresso unit.
Various Handpresso versions are available for use with different coffee pods and capsules (E.S.E, Lavazza A Modo Mio, Senseo) or you can use ground coffee. Either way, it's a very quick and clean way to get a proper shot of café-quality espresso produced in just a couple of minutes.
