How To Make Your Old Car Feel New 5 Ways

5 Ways to Make Your Old Car Feel New

The best thing about your old car is that you've already paid for it. Most of us grow tired of our used cars long before they're used-up cars. But money is tight for just about everyone, so why throw away a car that's running well just because it's feeling worn down, looking beat up and has lost some of its athleticism? Cars built in the last 10 or 15 years can go 200,000 or 300,000 miles if given the right care. And there are some simple ways to spice up your long-term automotive relationship without using up whatever is left on your home equity line of credit. What it takes first is the determination to re-commit.

Clean Everything

I'm not talking about just a quick, superficial job, but a hardcore scrubbing of everything you can reach. Shampoo the carpet and upholstery, excavate all the trash moldering in the trunk, remove the spare and get into every nook and cranny of the tire well, and remove the seat cushions and pick out all the petrified potato chips. If you have the technical aptitude, take out the front seats and vacuum under there. Clean all the grime from the engine bay and get under the car too.

This is a pretty obvious first step. But the cleaning pays off because all that time spent tidying up the car is also time spent inspecting it. This is your chance to uncover hidden problems.

Fix the Cockpit

"Focus on the area you're actually going to touch," Atlanta-area used car dealer Steven Lang says. "Start at the steering wheel and the dashboard. If the wheel is pitted or deteriorated, a simple $10 cover can make a big difference to how a car feels. A dashboard cover may be a good investment too."

Also check dashboard illumination. There are drivers out there who can't read their speedometers at night simply because the illumination knob has been dimmed for years through sheer inattention. If the knobs and switches are actually busted or worn-out, though, they can often be cheaply replaced with either new parts or recycled pieces found at a junkyard.

If the dashboard pad is faded, consider repainting or dyeing it. You're going to spend a lot of time staring at it.

And don't forget the fabric. One of Lang's favorite tricks for reinvigorating a car is to swap out the front seats for a pair he finds at a junkyard with fewer miles on them. "Seat foam breaks up over time," he says. "For $100 or $150, a set from a low-mileage vehicle can make a car seem new."

Let It Breathe

Aftermarket intake systems and air filters don't work miracles, but they can open up an older engine's inhalation system and kick up output a by few horsepower. Cold air intake systems from companies like K & N (KNFilters.com) are available for nearly every vehicle, and installation can usually be accomplished with little more than a screwdriver. Many are under $200.

An aftermarket exhaust system can do the same thing for your car on the exhalation side while adding a new voice. However, exhaust systems are more expensive to purchase and more difficult to install. So it may be best to wait until your vehicle actually needs a new muffler before making that upgrade.

Clear the Lenses

Vehicles built during the last couple of decades usually have plastic composite headlamps that weather and dull over time. You can pick up a headlight restoration often for under $30, and they're easy to use. It only takes a few minutes to turn a dull, yellowed headlight clear—which makes your old car look nicer and instantly improves illumination. 

Paint

The use and abuse of touchup paint is a subject that could fill volumes. Generally speaking, it's best to use it sparingly and carefully.

However, you can easily remove plastic trim pieces on your car's exterior and repaint them with a spray can. It particularly makes a big difference on black parts that have weathered to a dull gray.