There used to be a time when cars were just metal frames and four wheels, but with emerging technology and innovation, the aftermarket products for cars have increased. Nowadays you can get backup cameras, satellite radio, vinyl car wraps, entertainment systems, and more. It’s hard to find a car these days that isn’t at least offered with the latest technology, but it’s important to know what additions will actually improve the value of your car.
First off there’s the always functional technology, which is usually a safe choice because people love technology. Bluetooth is huge aftermarket addition these days and who doesn’t want to get into their car and have their phone automatically connect and stream their phone calls and music. Satellite radio is another big one, but seems to be on the decline as smart phones with all access music subscriptions are taking over. If you can stream your music anywhere, including your car, for $10/month, why pay $20 for radio in just your car. And one piece of technology that is sure to improve the value of your car is a backup camera. They’re safe, convenient, and who doesn’t want to feel like James Bond while pulling out of a spot.
Aftermarket additions don’t have to just be related to technology. There are plenty of additions that will improve the value of your car without any microchips, including protective vinyl wraps. These wraps provide a coating over your car that protects it from scratches or scuff marks, which is essential if you have a car that you want to keep in pristine condition. There are essentially two types, a clear coating and a colored coating. The clear coating is mainly for protection and you won’t even know it’s there, while the colored coating is where the real styling takes place. From cheetah to zebra and even sharpie, vinyl wraps can really make your car stand out and protect it from the environment. Vinyl car wraps are one addition to your car than can make a huge difference in the resale value by protecting it from road debris.
There are a lot of aftermarket additions that will improve the value, but you have to be careful to watch out for what may hurt the value of your car. These are mainly additions that aren’t done professionally and don’t look seamless and clean. Oversized stereos with unnecessary subwoofers in the trunk come to mind or window tinting that is illegal in some states, as well as poor sounding exhaust systems. If you’re going to get an aftermarket addition, make sure it’s high-quality and installed by professionals and you won’t have a problem.
A car is an investment, no doubt, and you need to take care of it for future value. Aftermarket additions are hugely popular these days and for a good reason, people want features. There are essentially two different types of features, functional and protective. Both functional and protective features will have an effect on improving the value of your car if done correctly. If you take care of your car in the long run, it will take care of you.