Owning a car already takes a chunk out of your wallet. Fuel, insurance, tires, and unexpected repairs are part of the deal. Yet for some reason, many drivers still throw money at things that either do nothing for performance or, worse, make the car less enjoyable to own. Here are ten common purchases that might look like upgrades but are just budget-draining mistakes.
Oversized Rims That Ruin Ride Comfort
Bigger wheels can turn heads, but they also turn smooth roads into bone-rattling experiences. Switch from stock 17-inch wheels to flashy 22s and you’ll notice the ride gets stiffer, potholes become mini craters, and replacement tires can cost hundreds more per corner. A set of low-profile performance tires for oversized rims might cost $1,200 or more, and that’s before you hit your first pothole.
Premium Fuel for a Regular Engine
Unless your manual says otherwise, filling a regular-fuel engine with premium is just donating money to the gas station. Your 2.5-liter Toyota Camry isn’t going to morph into a Lexus IS just because you paid for the fancy pump. Over a year, the difference can add up to hundreds of dollars with zero measurable benefit in power or efficiency.
Expensive “Performance” Air Filters
Performance air filters are often marketed with promises of extra horsepower. On a standard Honda Civic or Ford Fusion, you might gain one or two horsepower, on paper. They also require cleaning and oiling, which, if done incorrectly, can gum up your mass airflow sensor. Stick with a good quality OEM filter and replace it regularly.
Cheap Aftermarket Body Kits
On the box, that $300 body kit looks like it could transform your car into a race-ready machine. In reality, the cheap fibreglass may not line up with factory panels, leading to gaps and rattles. You’ll then need a paint job to match, which can cost more than the car itself on older rides. A once-respectable Mazda MX-6 can quickly turn into a driveway embarrassment.
Extended Warranties You Don’t Need
Dealers love selling extended warranties. They sound like peace of mind, but often have so many exclusions that the most common failures — like air conditioning issues or electrical gremlins — aren’t covered. A brand new Chevrolet Silverado already has a generous factory warranty, so paying thousands extra for an overlapping policy is rarely worth it unless you plan to keep the truck far beyond its original coverage.
LED Light Strips Everywhere
A subtle interior ambient light can make a cabin feel upscale. But covering every surface with bright, flashing LEDs can make your car look like it belongs in a budget music video. Worse, some colours can land you a fine if confused for emergency lighting. Drivers in certain Canadian provinces have been pulled over for blue LED underglows, thinking it wasa harmless decoration.
Unnecessary Engine Additives
Modern engines are designed to run perfectly fine on the fluids they’re built for. Sloshing in a bottle of “miracle” fuel additive often does nothing except lighten your wallet. Some oil additives can even thicken or thin oil beyond the safe range, risking damage. A well-maintained Toyota Corolla doesn’t need snake oil — it needs proper oil changes on schedule.
Fake Hood Scoops and Vents
If your hood scoop isn’t feeding air into the engine bay, it’s just a piece of glued-on plastic. Fake vents not only do nothing but can also trap dirt and moisture, encouraging rust over time. The Pontiac Grand Am of the early 2000s was infamous for non-functional scoops that were more about looking aggressive than actually improving performance.
Gold-Plated Battery Terminals
Yes, gold is a great conductor. But so is clean copper, which costs a fraction of the price. Gold-plated battery terminals might set you back $50 to $80, while cleaning your existing terminals with a wire brush and applying dielectric grease costs only a few bucks. For most cars, the gold adds zero functional benefit.
Seat Covers That Don’t Fit
A poor-fitting seat cover can bunch up under you, slide around, or even interfere with side airbag deployment. Cheap universal covers often fade quickly in the sun, leaving your interior looking worse than before. Spending $40 on generic covers for your Ford Escape might sound smart, but in a year, they’ll be frayed, saggy, and just another reminder that you should have saved for something custom-fitted.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
