Well, I got my first car today…
Today I cut spare keys and hid them in a magnet case, and I bought a small plastic console that has some adjustable cup holders and cubby holes.
Is there any other type of perihperal that could make my driving life more luxurious and comftorble?
First of all, congratulations on your first car!
Acessories are a personal thing, but I like to have:
Commuter Mug - one of those metal insulated ones that keeps my coffee warm.
Something to hold my CDs - those ballistic nylon CD holders that slide onto the sun visor are nice - if you have the kind of visor that can hold one (my current car doesn’t and my CDs are all over the place).
A good local map.
A AAA card (or the Canadian equivalent).
A cell phone charger.
One of those pre-fab emergency kits: flashlight, reflector, flare, a few tools, etc.
If your car’s not new, I’d also check that it has all the emergency/tire (or tyre, if you prefer) change items: jack, lug wrench, etc. and that the spare isn’t already flat. Nothing worse than finding out those are missing AFTER you’ve gotten your first flat.
All I can think of right now. But again, congrats!
I have this thing called the “sticky pad” that I bought from CompUSA(available elsewhere of course). It’s a faux leather rectangle and you can put just about anything small and flat on it(I.e cell phone, PDA, air freshener…) and it won’t slip off from casual driving. I was told you could put a cup on it, but I haven’t tried. I don’t think it’d hold.
um, depending on how you drive… a radar detector?
I also got a Mag light, tire gauge, eyeglasses case for my sunglasses but they design visor clips that i’d rather have.
What car did you get?
Like to cook?
Definitely get a car trash bag. I’ve always had the kind that straps around the posts of the headrest. I’m sure there’s other kinds too.
Very handy for cigarette and candy wrappers, ATM and gas receipts, and fast food wrappers 
A full size spare.
And if it’s not a new car (or if you don’t like the new car smell) the Glade scented oil for cars work well. The previous owner of my car smoked, and it’s the only air freshner that has helped with the stench.
Also Congrats on your first car!
Hey, thanks everybody.
Wireless, I pretty much have everything you suggested, besides a AAA card, emergency kit and right now I have a inflated dummy tire and jack.
Harmonix, my car is quite powerful, but I’m not reckless at all, no need for a RD. I have a mini Maglite on my key ring and I can’t wear sunglasses when I drive, (vision is inadequate). But, I will definetly get a tire gauge, my dad informed after I filled the tires that they were 20psi over!
Thanks Jeff, But its not for me!
ZipperJJ I will definetly explore trash bag options, the floor will just not do.
Darkness, the car already had 2 air freshners in it, so their was luckily no smells.
It is a 92 Ford Taurus V6 3.0L. (BTW)
Just Like Conan O’Brien!
What you need is fluffy dice to hang from the rear view mirror, an anti static strap, a grinning garfield, some sort of cheesy bumpersticker, some fake bullet hole decals for along the doors, a sticker for the passenger side dash saying “Geddin, siddown, shaddap an’ hangon”, some purple lights underneath the car, and last but not least a question with a factual answer.
Heavy-Duty floor mats. The ones with deep ribs to hold the slush and smutz that will fall off your boots this winter.
Sno-Brum. That is a trade name of a large plastic devise for pushing the white stuff off the car.
Second the heavy ribbed floor mats, if you live in a snowy climate.
Now that you have the car, take care of it. Get the oil changed EVERY 3000-5000 miles, depending on the kind of driving you do (city vs. highway). Your owner’s manual has a schedule for other maintenance. Follow this schedule. If it says to have the plugs changed at 15,000 miles, and the framistat changed at 30,000, do it.
Find a mechanic you can trust (ask your friends who they trust), and follow his recommendations. If my mechanic says I need to replace the timing belt and it is going to cost me $300, I don’t argue, I get out my check book.
You can ignore a ding if the paint is undamaged. DO NOT ignore chipped paint; rust is like cancer – catch it early.
Follow these recommendations, and a good car will last you well over 200,000 miles.
IMHO stuff but what the hell.
In my land the most important accssory is a windshield reflector. The best ones have thick insulation and a mylar reflective surface. A steering wheel cover is good to so you can actually touch it to drive after being in the sun a while. You haven’t lived in Southern Arizona long if you haven’t gotten a second degree burn from a seat belt buckle.
Mag lights are good but heavy and my wife has trouble with the recessed switch because of her fingernails. If you prefer other types of weapons and don’t need to use a flashlight as a blunt instrument then Pelican flashlights are probably more durable and lightweight. My favorite is the Stealthlite.
I consider a fire extinguisher a must. Better to have it and not need it… A good first aid kit and roadside emergency kit. The kind with flares or reflectors, etc. Fix-A-Flat cans are good but only use them in an emergency as it will fill your tire and rim with sticky goo and probably glue the valve stem shut.
Lots of good advice. I second an emergency kit (I have 2, one free from Toyota another as a Christmas present). You can also get nice fire extingishers from Costco to stuff in the back of your car.
Since you have an older vehicle you might want to consider seat covers or an Obus Foam Driver’s Seat (full massage/heat etc). I have one (although it’s on my passenger seat for my GF) which is very nice. A heated butt is very nice in the winter.
I also keep a pair of socks, a took and winter gloves in my car for winter emergencies.
Since you’re asking for advice rather than facts, I’ll move this thread to IMHO.
bibliophage
moderator GQ
One of those cabdriver wooden-bead seat covers. They feel so mutherin’ good on your back!
Also, stock up on good tunes.
Dude, you have to get some of those spinning rims!
And a spoiler!
Seriously, I would recommend an emergency kit as well, and see as how you’re in Canananananada, I would also toss in a warm blanket. It could save your life if you were to breakdown in the winter.
This is all great stuff!
I’m making a list as I read:
I think I can get this stuff no problem.
Keep em’ coming