Five Car Mods That Are Here To Stay

For almost as long as there have been cars, people have been modifying, customizing, and personalizing them. Whether for looks, comfort, or performance, well enough can't be left alone. Entire industries have been created to satisfy our need to drive something "better", or "different" than a plain old stock car. Popular car mods tend to come and go like any other fad, but a few have stuck around for generations, and won't be disappearing any time soon. From American hotrods to import tuners, these five things seem to be generally accepted modifications. As cars begin to change drastically in the next decade or two, so will aftermarket upgrades. Regardless of what tomorrow's production vehicles look like, these five add-ons stand a good chance of surviving.

Wheels & Tires
A new set of wheels and tires can do a lot for a bone stock car. A slick looking set of wheels can impact the look of a vehicle as much as, if not more than, a new paint job. Do an internet search for "rims" and you could spend days sifting through the options available. For racers trying to shave weight or improve traction, this option offers functional improvements too. As long as cars still roll on wheels, people will want to replace factory sets for custom ones. The only way this mod will disappear is if mankind someday finds itself in a world of hovering cars.

Sound System
Speed and looks aren't always the only things that matter (thank goodness, since I possess neither). Cruising behind the wheel of a car and listening to great music are two things that just belong together. Regardless of musical tastes, most people would agree it sounds better through a high quality system. Although they are improving in recent years, factory installed car stereos usually leave something to be desired. When it comes to car audio upgrades, there is basically no limit. A powerful sound system will turn heads and even win competitions. Blasting a favorite tune on the way home at the end of the work week is a real pleasure. Good speakers and electronics are essential for the audiophile, even if he doesn't care about cars. Emissions regulations aren't likely to obsolete this feature from the cars of the future, and I predict it will remain a popular point of improvement among car owners looking for more ways to love their rides.

Spoilers
Spoilers have become a premium option for passenger cars. Aftermarket examples can be bolted on to any car with a trunk lid. People just plain like the way spoilers look.  They add "visual horsepower" to just about anything that moves. This has been true ever since the days when the muscle car was king. In reality though, a spoiler's function has nothing to do with looking cool. It's quite literally an upside-down wing designed to provide downforce, increasing tire traction. This means improved acceleration and cornering.  Nothing wrong with that, wouldn't you agree? Even if the motorsports world should someday be overcome by battery powered F1 cars or hybrid dragsters, spoilers will be the key to keeping the tires planted. Racing technology has a way of showing up on plenty of street cars, so expect this trick to remain a favorite among racers and daily drivers alike.

Window Tint
It's a fast, cheap way to make a big difference in the way your car looks, and it even has some practical advantages too. A nice dark tint will give your vehicle that mean look that says, "you don't want to mess with the guy inside". It adds a bit of mystery to the car's presence, and makes luxury sedans look even more important. If you live in a really hot, sunny climate, you'll be doing yourself a favor by keeping some of those hot rays off your seats too. No one likes getting into an oven after a long day of work, and a decent tint will keep things a bit cooler while preserving your upholstery. Of course, overly dark tints can get you a ticket, and make it hard to see at night.  In any case, people like tinted windows, and a future car without windows seems unlikely, so this stick-on face-lift is here to stay.