Simple, cheap ways to mod your crappy car

When your parents bought your first car, they were being practical. They don't care about your image. So what are you to do? First, get a stylish pair of sunglasses and a good haircut because, let's face it, you can look good no matter what you drive.

1. Get New Tires.

Tired and old-looking tires cramp your style. The big-name brands like Goodyear and BF Goodrich make affordable and attractive tires, and it's amazing what a nice set of tires can do for a crappy car. Although they were designed as high-performance radials, Nitto tires from Discount Tire are sweet little accessories that are worth the extra few dollars.

Good tires keep your car in top shape. If your tires are worn down, old or the wrong size for your vehicle, then you won't get the best gas mileage or the best efficiency on the road.

Don't forget to add the cost of tire installation to the cost of your tires. If you can do it yourself—and your dad says you should—you'll save about $50.

2. Change the Rims.

Switching the rims on your tires can give your vehicle an instant facelift. It improves the look of the car, and some rims improve the performance of the car. SGCarMart.com says that sport rims are a good choice to modify your car, because they stabilize the vehicle. If you are new to driving on the highway, the extra stability can make it easier to control your car.

The benefit of sport rims for your image is simple: They make the car look interesting and new. The starting price of sport rims depend on the size, but you can expect to pay $80 or more for a new set.

Have the rims installed by a professional to avoid complications. The cost to install rims will vary, but you can expect to pay on a per-wheel basis, so if the cost is $10 per wheel, then you will pay $40 to install all of the rims.

3. Put in New Mats.

Patterned floor mats with a matching steering wheel cover not only protect your vehicle, they add an interesting interior element to showcase your style. SheKnows.com suggests that you pick out patterned mats, which will add a little personality to the interior of your vehicle for an affordable price.

Floor mats can cost as little as $22 for a set of four.

4. Car Decals.

Vinyl stickers are a simple way to add a little interest to the exterior of your car. Painting a pattern on your car is expensive, but a decal can add the pattern without costing a small fortune.

You can develop custom decals to place a design that appeals to your personality, interests and preferences. The cost of car decals will depend on whether you decide to purchase an option that is already available or create a custom decal, but it is usually a reasonable cost. Some decals can cost as low as $1.50 for the simplest designs. Do a search for "custom car decals" and you'll find a slew of online vendors.

Modifying your car does not need to cost a small fortune. Simple adjustments to your vehicle are affordable, especially if you look for the best deals and do not have installation charges. You can modify your car for as little as $200.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Heidi Diamond), Google (images).