So you’ve got an old car that you want to feel less old, huh? Well, have no fear because American Muffler is here. When you have an old and used car, the only benefit about it is that it’s already paid for. For most of us, especially vehicle enthusiasts, we get sick of our used car before it’s even really “used up,” but if you have a tight money situation, it may be more difficult for you to get that luxury vehicle you’ve been pining for.

Just because you’re tired of looking at your car doesn’t mean you need a new one. If you own a car that was built in the last decade, then it should be able to successfully run up to 300,000 miles with minimal problems as long as you keep up with maintenance. So, if you’re looking to spice up your “long term” vehicle, there are some pretty simple adjustments you can make that won’t break the bank.

5 Ways to Spice Up Your Old Ride

1. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!

   We’re not just talking about throwing out the fast food bags that have piled up, or going to the gas station to pay $1.50 to use the vacuum. We’re talking about REALLY cleaning. You want to get into every nook and cranny of that vehicle, and if you really want to get under the seats to get ALL the chip crumbs, then you can even remove the seat cushions. You’ll also want to shampoo the carpeting and other upholstery. In the event that your interior is leather, make sure you use a cleaning product that won’t damage it.

2. Update the sound system.

   Even if your car is just a few years old, you probably have an outdated system. So, trade out your old radio head for one that incorporates either an iPod or smartphone through Bluetooth or an AUX plug, and if you can get satellite radio, that’s an added bonus. If you go to Best Buy, you can snag a head unit with an iPod integration starting at around $80. If you REALLY want to update your system, you’ll be looking to spend around $200.00, but it’ll pay off, especially if you get all the bells and whistles.

3. Let the engine breathe.

   Overtime, our engines turn into an old pair of smokers lungs. Therefore, you want to look for an aftermarket intake system or air filter. You’ll most likely need an aftermarket one since you’re working with an older vehicle, and although they won’t work miracles, they’ll still open up that old inhalation system and give you some more horsepower. If you want, you can just hold off on this step until you need a new muffler, and if that’s the case, bring it into our American Muffler shop because if anyone in Broward County does mufflers right, it’s us.

4. Restore your headlights.

   If you have an efficient vehicle that is built to last like a Toyota or a Honda, it probably has plastic composite on the headlights. Overtime, those dull and they end up looking horribly foggy. While you can get them restored for about $30.00, you can easily do it yourself if you have cleaner and a screw driver. This will instantly make your car look newer because your headlights will probably be brighter than when you first bought the car.

5. Clean out the air conditioning system.

   Nothing is worse than living in Florida with an air conditioning system that doesn’t work. Overtime, your car’s air conditioning system will have a buildup of mildew, bacteria, and mold. So, when you clean it out, you want to make sure that the air entering the cabin isn’t passing through any leaves or dust that may be crammed into the passageways. Then you’ll want to clean the filters, add new Freon, and even a deodorizer to top things off.