There are two possible reasons why one might be driving an old car. The first and perhaps most common reason is the fact that old cars are cheaper to buy. Some of us might want the latest and greatest; however, our wallets simply don’t allow for it.
Now, on the other hand, we have the car guys that own and drive old cars simply because they prefer them to new ones. These are the people that even if a new car was given to them, they would still choose the older model. Why is this the case? Well, classic cars have a charm. They are far more mechanical, connected, and raw. Such vehicles can be maintained easily, and also tend to look great.
Regardless of which one of the two categories you fall into, you will certainly get some benefits of modernizing your old ride. There are several ways you can do this.
- Exterior cosmetic upgrades
- Addition of LED lights throughout
- Overhauling the interior upholstery
- Installing sound-deadening material
- A new infotainment system
- An ECU Tune
While these mods can go a long way in modernizing your ride, find out why some of the latter ones we've listed will significantly roll back the years of your old ride.
A Modern Infotainment And Sound System Will Transform Your Old Ride
Starting From $250
It is safe to say that infotainment systems have come a long way from what they used to be. Perhaps, they belong in the category of car parts that have seen the most advancement in recent years. If you own a car that is a couple of decades old, chances are that inside you will only get a radio, cassette or CD player. In most cases, there is no way to connect your phone let alone use a screen for navigation.
The good news is that modern-day infotainment screens can be fitted in an old vehicle. In most cases, all you need to do is remove the old system and install a new one that features a touchscreen loaded with all the necessary features. This will provide your old car additions like Apple Car Play, Android Auto, Navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity.
To go along with your new infotainment system, it is recommended that you also get some newer speakers for a better sound system. Some old cars have good sound quality, but most don’t. New speakers will elevate your driving experience to levels much closer to modern vehicles.
Sound Deadening Is Your Classic Car's Friend
Starting From $50
Old cars can be noisy. Their engines weren’t as refined, body engineering wasn’t as advanced, and manufacturers, in most cases, didn’t pay much attention to cabin noise levels. Combine that with the fact that these cars are now pushing 15 years of age, and you have a recipe for noise.
Some people tolerate interior noise without problems; however, others find it incredibly tiring. If you fall into the latter category, then there is a solution for you. Once again, aftermarket companies have ensured that old cars can be made quiet through sound deadening.
A roll of the sound-deadening mat is usually made from butyl rubber that is paired with an aluminum constraint layer. The roll comes with sticky adhesive and all you have to do is cut the mat to shape and size and fit it to areas of your car or truck like the roof, floor, and inside the doors of your vehicle.
The way this material dampens the sound is by reducing the audible vibrations car metal makes when driving. It also stops some of the wind and tire noise. If you are planning on doing this job yourself, it is worth stripping out your seats, carpets, roof lining, and door cards. This will give you access to most of the sheet metal inside your vehicle's cabin.
If you manage to cover all these surfaces, you will certainly have a much quieter ride. Oh, and if you pair this with your new sound and infotainment system, your vehicle will feel like it's years newer than it actually is.
Some Added Power Will Ensure Your Old Car Can Keep Up With Modern-Day Traffic
Starting From $200
Not all old cars are slow, but many of them are. That being said, there are a few ways one can get a bit more punch out of an old vehicle. Of course, this needs to be done safely and reliably. Therefore, big numbers aren’t the goal here. The only goal is to make the car even more usable ensuring that it has no issues keeping up with modern-day traffic.
Now, more power can be extracted from most engines. Engines like the 1JZ and 2JZ, found in Toyotas from the 90s, are the prime example of this. Manufacturers always leave something on the table for the sake of a balance between economy, power, emissions, and reliability. However, depending on your car's engine (turbo engines respond best to tunes) the power increase you receive can vary.
If you have a car with a naturally aspirated engine (non-turbo) you can install a better-flowing intake and exhaust system. This will ensure that your car breathes better and therefore makes a bit more power. If it has an ECU, you can also get it tuned for some added punch. Keep in mind that naturally aspirated vehicles won’t gain drastic power increases.
On the other hand, if your car packs a turbocharged engine, you can do the same exact modifications mentioned above, but in this instance, the power gains will be far more obvious. If you want, you can even take it a step further and upgrade the turbo for a more efficient or even larger unit. This, however, will probably decrease your engine's reliability.
Enjoy Your Cool Old Car
Old cars are just cooler than new ones. They were designed and built differently. Plus, by now, they have endless stories to tell. You could argue that they even have character. Their age, however, doesn’t mean they have to be inconvenient and uncomfortable. With the above modifications, you will have phone connectivity, navigation, great sound, a quiet cabin, and enough power to use your old vehicle on a daily basis without compromises.
If you want, you can even take it further with aftermarket seats that are more comfortable than new car seats and can even offer heating and cooling features. The sky is the limit with old cars. The only downside that can’t really be fixed is their lack of safety features. But you are either cool or safe. Both unfortunately cannot co-exist.