5 Christmas Gift Ideas for Car Lovers

A few days ago, I was browsing a popular social media platform and came across a young lady asking: "What's a good holiday gift idea for an RX-7 owner?" I realize my wife has struggled with this problem several times before, and I hope the following guide will set you on the right path for a joyous Christmas Eve. Any ideas below can work on birthdays or any other celebrations for automotive enthusiasts, irrespective of age, color, gender, or religion.

Of course, it would help you to pay attention to your loved one's stories and preferences regarding cars and bikes, which will help you in the long run. Another good advice I can give you is to seek help from one of their close friends who share the same passion. You can always turn to online forums or specialized groups for answers if that's out of the question. Just be sure to post anonymously, as you don't want the person you're thinking about to learn of your intentions. Also, I recommend you decide on a budget before you get started. You'll notice that my recommendations vary in scale and size depending on what you're willing or able to spend.

Diecast Cars or Bikes ($30 to $1000)

The easiest way to go about this is to turn to the world of scale-model vehicles. There's a good chance this strategy will work even if your loved one doesn't already have a diecast car or motorcycle at home. For $30, you can get a set of five Hot Wheels Premium 1/64th-scale models, which are adult-oriented collectibles with a metal base, special rims, and rubber tires.

If the person you're buying for owns or dreams about a particular vehicle, try to look for that specific model first. If you know they're fans of the Fast & Furious series, there are plenty of options, but Brian's Supra, GT-R, or Eclipse are good starting points. If said person already owns a giant Hot Wheels collection, your best chance is to search for either a Super Treasure Hunt or a Red Line Club Exclusive model.

Depending on the type of vehicle you're looking for, prices can easily exceed $100. If the 1/64 scale is too small, you can raise the stakes and go straight to something at a 1/18 scale for cars or a 1/12 scale for motorcycles. These are still achievable on a small budget, and I recommend you look at Solido items for vehicles priced between $40 and $80. A race-ready Porsche will work miracles for any automotive enthusiast; trust me! If you can spend $300 or more, go for the Autoart, Spark, or Ignition models instead; you'll be surprised by the plethora of available machines. You should look into the next category if it is any more expensive than that.

Automotive Experiences ($150 to $25.000)

Diecast cars are cool, but they only paint half the picture. Any automotive enthusiast yearns for some adventure, and you can look up a dedicated experience they can remember for their whole life. Find the closest race track to your home. Call them and ask about available taxi rides or car rental options. For instance, renting an entry-level car around the famous Nordschleife will cost around $200 or more.

If you're dealing with an experienced driver, you can rent a Porsche GT3 RS for under $4,000. A race taxi experience will often be cheaper but less fun. Then there are so many racing courses you can go for: the Drift School I attended ten years ago will charge around $3,000 or more for two intensive days of driving, but that's just scratching the surface. If you want to send your loved one to race on an icy surface in Sweden, piloting a Ferrari 488 Challenge for 250 km can cost $25,000 or more.

That would make for one hell of a ride, and it's split across multiple days, too! Fans of F1 will be forever grateful if you opt for a Formula One experience at a famous race track in Europe. Depending on the company you decide to work with, prices can range between $4,000 to $15,000. There are many options, depending on what your loved one prefers: go-karts, maybe off-road cars, jet boats, or enduro motorcycles. There's a solution for every budget.

Car Parts or Accessories ($100 to $20,000)

You may be in a relationship with someone who owns a particular car, a '90s Japanese icon, or a modern-day Sports machine. Buying car parts or accessories is more challenging than it may sound, as petrolheads tend to be very specific about their preferences. You may think you've purchased the right turbocharger for your husband or wife, but will it be the desired spec?

Getting them a gift card from their favorite store, which they order parts from every other month, is safer. Or, if you don't mind asking your loved one, you can find out exactly what they want for Christmas and get them one of the following:

• A new turbo (this can set you back several thousand dollars).
• A new set of rims (whatever you do, don't buy cheap replicas of expensive models!).
• A new subwoofer or adjustable coilovers.
• Those 35" off-road tires they've been dying to get for months, and the list is almost endless.

Once again, asking a close friend for advice will work miracles in this situation, as they likely know how to hit the bullseye. If that all sounds too complicated for you, consider the alternative:

• Racing fans will love a new pair of driving gloves or boots.
• Motorcycle riders will always enjoy a brand-new helmet (choose the top product from their preferred brand).

There's also the option of looking through official racing series online shops: T-shirts, caps, or other memorabilia will usually be okay and less expensive.

Sim Racing Gear ($300 to $250,000)

If you've ever seen your loved one playing racing video games, it might be time to help them get into the sim racing experience. Playing a hardcore racing sim like Assetto Corsa on a keyboard can be a nightmare (don't ask me how I know that), and you can change everything for $500 or less. People in the sim racing community will be quick to recommend the best setup in your budget, and even a basic wheel and pedals can work wonders for someone who's never experienced the joy of virtual racing on a proper setup.

If money is no object, you'll need an expert opinion on some of the best sim rigs on the market; just don't be surprised. They can cost between $50,000 to $250,000 if you want the whole package. That's right; you can get a racing car that's just a sim rig on the inside but still provides actuator-powered movement that simulates a real-life racing experience. I remember trying out a BMW DTM sim rig years ago: calling it immersive would be an understatement!

Cars or Motorcycles ($3000 to Sky is the limit)

Occasionally, someone will call me asking for a birthday/holiday gift idea for their son, daughter, parent, etc. Some people can afford to give away cars, but buying it can be challenging. Getting the right vehicle for another person requires intimate knowledge of their passions and preferences, at least if you're talking about someone genuinely obsessed with cars or bikes. Once again, turning to online groups and forums will be of some assistance, but finding a knowledgeable sales rep can do the trick even better.

Of course, that's mainly valid if you plan on buying a new vehicle. If it's a used one, you should bring a mechanic to ensure you aren't buying a dud! If you remember that person's favorite car/motorcycle brand, take them to the nearest dealership and see which item interests them first. They'll be lured in like fish to bait, and then you can seal the deal. Finding the right car or bike will require following some of the steps I've described in previous paragraphs, but you can always find ways to make your life easier: test drives are a great way of telling whether you've hit the jackpot or should keep searching.

Or you can come up with a story about a friend who is looking to purchase a nice car and has yet to decide what to get. People tend to express their preferences when making such suggestions, and that's precisely what you aim for. Now, I should start writing my letter to Santa. And the Triumph Daytona 675i is still at the top of my list.