Spoilers on Non-Sports Cars
Many performance enthusiasts love the look of rear spoilers. After all, they are a defining feature of sports cars. For this reason, it's no surprise that so many people invested in stick-on spoilers - even if their cars weren't actually built for speed and performance. In reality, this addition was simply for cosmetic purposes, as it added nothing to the performance of the car.
Fake Exhaust Tips
Many car mod enthusiasts were convinced into buying fake exhaust tips, with the promise that they would ultimately improve the overall performance and sound of their vehicle. In reality, however, these tips offered no actual gain - other than cosmetic. They were still fairly expensive, though, which is exactly why mechanics suggested avoiding them altogether.
Oversized Rims
While oversized rims may have looked pretty cool, they actually had a negative impact on the overall performance, comfort and driveability of the car. More so, the hurt fuel economy, which led to more money being spent on fuel every month. Drivers would also have to spend more on replacing their tires more frequently, as the rims led to additional wear and tear.
Steering Wheel Covers
Many people invested in steering wheel covers, believing that they not only looked better, but also provided additional grip and hand comfort. This simply was not the case, however, with most covers actually making the steering wheel more slippery. On top of this, it is proven that cars with these covers are more likely to be broken into, as they were more popular amongst women.
Dashboard Ornaments
Some dashboard ornaments may be nice to look at, but they can actually be a safety hazard. In fact, anything on the dashboard serves as a distraction, as it obstructs the drivers view. As a result, dashboard ornaments have become illegal in many countries, making them a massive waste of money.
Hood Covers
Drivers would invest in hood covers, as they believed that they were useful in protecting the front of the car from any dirt, debris and bugs. In reality, they would simply trap the dirt and cause it to rub against the hood of the car, leading to further scratching and damage.
Cheap Seat Covers
Seat covers are a popular accessory, as many believe that they protect the upholstery of the vehicle. However, while expensive covers may do the trick, cheap options wear down far too quickly and may even do moe harm than good. Mechanics recommend saving your money on this one.
Stick-On Hood Scoops
Hood scoops are another popular feature of some of the most iconic sports and muscle cars on the market. However, for those who can't afford the real thing, stick-on hood scoops may seem like the perfect alternative. In reality, they will only end up scratching the paint of your bonnet. More so, fake scoops don't actually offer any airflow improvement.
Excessive Chrome Trim
Not too long ago, drivers believed that the more chrome trim their car had, the fancier it looked. While this accessory may have been popular for the time, it served no real purpose, other than adding extra weight. More so, the trim often peeled easily, leaving the car looking unfinished.
Rear Mirror Accessories
Many drivers used to add small decorations to their rearview mirror in order to add some style and personality to their car. While it may seem harmless, these accessories actually served as a major distraction, as they partially impaired their view. As a result, it is now illegal to hang objects from the mirror in many places.
Fake Carbon Fiber Wraps
Many drivers were convinced that carbon fiber wraps added strength and durability to their vehicle. However, this wasn't the case. More so, wraps often peeled quickly and damaged the paint underneath. The wrap would also be pricey and, because it needed replacing relatively often, the overall cost only got more and more expensive.
Cup Holder Extender
It's incredibly frustrating driving with a bottle that just doesn't fit into your car cup holder. As a result, many drivers invest in a cup holder extender. However, while it may sound like a good idea, these extenders break easily, which can be problematic when on the road, as it could end up blocking controls.
Excessive Bumper Stickers
While it's always fun personalizing your car, it's important to remember that certain modifications can actually lower its overall resale value. For example, bumper stickers are likely to chip or damage the paint of your car. If you ever decide to sell, you will either need to pay for a new paint job, or simply accept a lower offer.
Headlight Eyelashes
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that headlight eyelashes serve no real purpose - aside fom cosmetic, of course. However, many mechanics recommend against them, as records show that cars with eyelashes are much more likely to be broken into, as criminals assume that the owner is a female.
Dashboard/Windscreen Phone Holders
While having a GPS device on your dashboard may be handy, any sort of distractions serve as a major safety hazard - especially your phone. On top of this, these accessories were known for being unreliable, as they often fell, causing damage to both the holder and the phone itself.
Aftermarket Shift Knobs
Many drivers were led to believe that their shift knob needed replacing for both cosmetic and comfort purposes. In reality, aftermarket shift knobs were often incredibly expensive and uncomfortable, with no real ergonomic design. As a result, they weren't particularly good at serving their purpose - they were just a big waste of money.
Plug-In Fuel Saver Chips
For a while, plug-in fuel saver chips were the accessory of choice for many drivers. It was believed that they cut down on fuel consumption, saving drivers a small fortune on their monthly fuel bill. However, mechanics ended up proving these chips to be a massive scam.
Decorative Seatbelt Clips
This one may sound a bit strange, but some buyers even invested in decorative seatbelt clips. While they were designed for cosmetic purposes, they actually reduced safety and, in many cases, interfered with seatbelt locking.
Excessive LED Strips
While LED lights may look cool in or on a car, they also serve as a major battery drainer. On top of this, it is proven that they can be distracting when used at night - for both the driver and oncoming traffic.
Cheap Backup Cameras
Many drivers invested in backup cameras, thinking that they would improve their overall driving experience. However, mechanics have proven that cheap camerassimply aren't worth the money, as they break easily and feature unreliable wiring.
