25 Of The Cheapest DIY Cars Mods

Jun 13, 2023

Not only are these cool car mods cheap enough to do yourself, but they also won't hurt your wallet.

A good-looking car is like an elegant woman. People will always stare at her wherever she is, and even in the dark, she will glow. True car enthusiasts drive the kind of cars they love or something close to it. Many might not know that people invest a lot of time and money to ensure they drive what their hearts desire. Most modern cars come with unlimited tuning potential. With the right tools and kits, they can be transformed to perform and look as elegant as any true gearhead will appreciate.

Many people believe that car modification is expensive. That's because it is, in most cases. It will be costly if it involves reworking some areas of the car, recalibrating the engine, or even performing an engine swap. However, some drivers just want their vehicles to look or sound unique, so they don't have to spend a fortune to achieve their desires.

We have updated this article to highlight even more car modifications that are cheap and easy to do in 2022. These mods can transform any underrated car to a level of love and adoration.

Some car features are purely aesthetic, which is still a good thing. Sometimes the factory features might not be enough despite having an excellent car. The good news is that the aftermarket has affordable mod kits for buyers who want a little spice on their vehicle. Buyers can use these kits to express their personalities and individualities – it is about standing out from the crowd. And thanks to the vast advancing auto technology, the aftermarket offers endless modification options for any car.

Related: 10 Car Mods That Are Pure Rip-Offs And Should Be Avoided

The most preferred car modification has to do with performance. People want a little bit more than the stock power of the automobile. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy to achieve. Performance modifications are expensive and require a professional touch.

Most aesthetic mods are DIYs. Anybody can read a manual and transform their vehicle into anything they want. To this point, read on for some of the most affordable DIY mods.

This can be a once-in-a-year modification. It is not that cheap but cannot compare with getting a paint job. Car wraps are common in advertisements. However, a well-done custom wrap can transform a beater to look like a track day race car. Not to forget, there are many people who ruin their rather good-looking cars with hideous wrap jobs.

The internet is full of DIY video guides on car wrapping. It is advisable to have a pro do the job. But for those who trust their guts, it's pretty easy. All that is required is patience and open space. The racing stripes are common among car owners and give the vehicle a premium feel. A tired 1990s Celica can easily be confused for a Porsche Panamera.

A spoiler is one of the most effective mods to turn a beater into a track weapon. The spoiler alters airflow above and around a car to reduce drag. It uses the air to create more downforce and increase the vehicle's stability at high speed. They reduce the negative effect of air by spoiling it.

While a spoiler isn't an expensive mod, it is not for aesthetic purposes only. Subaru and Toyota Celica drivers know what a spoiler can do, so they never drive cars without spoilers. The reason why they are popular with Subaru owners is that they are constantly speeding, and they want stable cars.

This excellent modification can transform a hideous beater into a high-end luxury car. At least on the appearance. There are so many LED lighting styles available on the market. Pinterest is an excellent place to get some inspiration.

Related: 10 Must-Have Mods For Your Muscle Car

LED lighting is not all about looking cool. It can lighten up the interior when factory lighting is not sufficient. For those who love doing things with their hands, LED lighting is something anyone can read a manual and install. YouTube has detailed DIY video guides for interior LED lighting installation. The rule of thumb is not to overdo it. It can quickly transform a somewhat okay car to look like a poorly lit house party.

Music is a powerful brain weapon that can deal with a man's worries within minutes. And with the constantly changing life and everything becoming stressful, a car needs to have a good music system. Aftermarket audio system is a favorite modification among many drivers, old and young. Very few cars feature factory audio systems that meet the standards that can be called quality.

It only gets worse if the car is old. Used cars are good bargains, but most come at the cost of foregoing features such as a good sound system. The good news is that the aftermarket has endless options for affordable sound systems. A good audio system should include a head unit, an amplifier, and a subwoofer.

Grille Inserts are common with trucks and 4x4 vehicles – talk of the Jeep Wrangler, for example. They are the perfect mods for drivers looking to spruce up the exterior of their vehicles. And considering grille inserts are among the cheapest vehicle mods available; it is possible to change the appearance of a vehicle without noticing a difference in the bank account balance.

Unlike Neon lighting, grille inserts are not tacky and don't attract all unnecessary attention. Grille inserts are popular with Jeep owners who don't want to compromise the vehicle's rugged look. Although ordinary cars can still have grille inserts, the effect may not be as impressive as on trucks.

This is the easiest modification anyone can add to their car. And it's so easy to install. It doesn't require any experience to do it. The only challenge with vanity plates is their legality depending on various States. An article published by NBC News in 2007 revealed that 9.3 million Americans used personalized plates. The number could be higher in 2022.

Related: Here Are The Best Bolt-On Mods For Your Subaru BRZ

A vanity plate is the best way to personalize a vehicle's ID. However, not every word can be used on a vanity plate. Some words and phrases are banned from being used on vanity plates in Canada and the United States.

Modern cars come in trim levels. To enjoy premium features, buyers must spend more as they climb the trim ladder. One of these premium features is fog lights. Many automakers sell their base models with basic functionalities. As long as the car moves, they are okay. If you need more, you pay top dollar.

Adding features like fog lights could cost even up to $2,000 more. And this is not a big issue, especially if it's a brand-new car. The problem arises when it's a used car that doesn't have fog lights. The good news is that aftermarket fog lights aren't expensive – they cost between $20 and $60. And are available in Xenon, LED, and halogen lights. And the color can be modified to give it more individuality and the desired uniqueness.

If the automobile is a little tired and several parts, including the headlights, aren't working correctly, a simple headlight restoration can give some life to the car. This will enhance visibility at night and give the driver the confidence to drive at night. Headlight upgrades or replacements are cheap, and depending on the vehicle model, the local corner garage can handle their installations.

However, if visibility isn't a problem but the owner needs to enhance the vehicle's appearance, an upgrade or modification can do the job. Aftermarket headlights do a great job maintaining the sharp appearance of a car, especially for those who drive Subaru and other sport-oriented cars. With the headlights, replacing the light bulb with LED lights can significantly prolong the lifespan of the headlight. Besides giving a car a sharp appearance, LED lights can help save a lot of time and money in the long run.

There's no limit to how far people can go with custom hood ornaments. However, before doing this mod, it is good to note that it's a risk. Some custom hood ornaments are irreversible. And if done wrongly, it can cause massive damage to the vehicle. It's cheap to do, but it can leave an expensive-to-fix problem.

A custom hood ornament could be anything. It could be a flying horse or a 3D-printed model of the owner's face. There are a lot of ornaments people have used for their hoods. Don't be surprised to see weird pieces when searching for inspiration. Pinterest is an excellent place to start the search.

This is a necessary modification. It doesn't just preserve and enhance the looks of a car; it also keeps the people inside protected from dangerous UV rays. And, of course, it's crucial to know the laws related to window tints. They are different in various states. Window tints keep occupants safe from the scorching sun by blocking UV rays. It also improves privacy. What happens inside the car should be private, and a window tint keeps prying eyes away.

Window tints are relatively cheap and easy to install. Suppose it feels or looks difficult; a helping hand from someone who knows how to do it can make the work beautiful. And thanks to its ease of removing, trying it out and undoing it if it's not pleasing is pretty much acceptable. It's not like some modifications which can have irreversible effects on the car.

Interior dome light is not an old man's modification of choice. It is mainly found in teenagers' vehicles – people who are experimenting with life and have a few dollars to facilitate the experiments. Additionally, the interior dome light is for those who spend a lot of time in their vehicles, especially at night. Teenagers and young guys could use dome light to impress girls. But, it is only helpful after dark.

For an adult, the interior lights can be easily replaced if not practical. It doesn't cost a fortune, and it will make the car look different, albeit at night. The interior dome light should resonate with the LED lighting for more holistic lighting. These two modifications go hand in hand; installing them at the same time makes the car more beautiful.

This is an excellent car modification that separates a car from the crowd. The Neon Ground FX turns a vehicle into moving disco lights. There are different colors to choose from. YouTube is an excellent place to check out examples of people who have tried it already. Some are impressive, while others suck.

It might be dangerous driving with the Neon, but there is nothing wrong with putting them on when the car is stationary. Although there could be nothing special with the car in its normal state, the Neon Ground FX can blind onlookers and make them think it's really a cool car.

The wheel and fender lights should be combined to produce something more magical. And it's a guarantee that it'll make a vehicle appear unique irrespective of its model or age. It can be a continuation of the exterior neon accents. The Neon Ground FX might be too vibrant, and you need something subtle and calm.

The wheel and fender lights will shout without making a sound. The blue accent will look good in any vehicle, and the modification doesn't cost a fortune. All that is needed is the fender and the wheel lights, which are available online. And if a good and reasonable mechanic does it, it won't cost a lot to install. It is also something anyone can do from home, provided they follow the basic instructions to the letter.

This modification is popular with chicks but still applies to both genders. Some people hate clusters and are organized to the core. This kind of people will always have their cars clean, and everything is in its rightful place.

Big cars come with a lot of room in the trunk. Some items might need proper storage, and what better way than to have a trunk liner? A trunk liner will ensure the storage space is well utilized, and things aren't flying around in the trunk. The trunk liner can be customized to reflect the vehicle's interior and theme, which is in line with the personality and tastes of the owner.

Gone are the days when tire bling was a fad. Hip-hop artists spoiled the culture by overdoing it. Guys would go out of their way to add gold bling to the tires. Nowadays, Hip-Hop artists sing about waking up in a new Bugatti, adding more money to their bank accounts, or robbing a bank. The tire bling hype is dead, which makes it a viable and valuable modification.

Adding coats to the tires gives them a glossy appearance. The modification works in a way that a dressing is applied to the tires to give them a shine. Tire bling could also be a protective coating from elements like water and dust. The coat is not expensive to purchase, and a corner mechanic will charge a few dollars to install it.

Sam is a professional internet researcher and writer. He is mainly interested in and fascinated by cars and motorcycles. He has been writing about the same for the past few years. Sam currently works for Valnet Inc's Hot cars as a full-time contributor. He is also a professional graphic designer, digital marketer, and sexual health consultant.