#12 Gas Card

With everyone reeling over the high price of gas, a gift card for fuel purchases makes a practical present. Better yet, with a gift card you can spend as little or as much as you want.

#11 GPS

A portable GPS (Global Positioning System) device is great for anyone. Starting at about $175, they’re more affordable than ever, and they don’t require an additional subscription fee. If possible, wait for a sale so that you can get the most features for your money. I’d recommend looking for a model which articulates the specific street name, rather than just instructing the driver to turn in so-many meters.

#10 Cleaning Services

Everyone loves a clean vehicle. So treat them to a gift certificate for a local automotive detailer. Or you may decide to take the vehicle to the cleaner’s yourself. A basic cleaning starts at about $40.

#9 Genuine Accessories

If your intended recipient has a fairly new vehicle, then its likely that accessories should be in good supply from the manufacturer. Accessories are post-purchase add-ons that are installed in/on the vehicle, like a backup camera, shift-knobs and interior accents, DVD players, truck bed covers and liners, cargo containers and exterior racks, various lifestyle-oriented accessories and so on. The array of available accessories is usually catalogued online. But remember that you will need to know the specific make, model, year and often even the trim level of the vehicle to guarantee that accessories will properly fit and coordinate with the vehicle. To be sure your purchase is correct, consult with the parts department at that brand’s local auto dealer. They are in the best position to advise you about your options. Depending on the type of accessory, you may also want to arrange to have it professionally installed. Accessories start at about $30 and can run into the hundreds. But a well-chosen accessory can add so much to a vehicle. Someone gave me a chrome exhaust tip recently and I just love it! It sets off my vehicle beautifully.

#8 Take a Drive Together

It doesn’t have to be extravagant; just share the experience. If the auto enthusiast in your life loves to take a drive, why not choose a destination that is a reasonable drive away, plan a route and hit the road together? Depending on the choices you make, the drive can be exhilarating or calming. You might use the vehicle he loves to drive every day, or rent a vehicle he’d never otherwise get the chance to try.

#7 Wheels & Snow Tires

No matter how great a vehicle is, it’s the tires that actually make the contact with the road. So replacing worn tires with a good quality set is vital to safe driving. Add to it that Canadian drivers also need proper snow tires for wintertime. Tires can start at about $60 per wheel. If the tires will be taken on and off (as in the case of snow tires) it is thoughtful to also buy a set of wheels for the tires to be installed on to make swapping easier. Alternatively, for something less practical, a set of upgraded wheels makes an amazing gift.

#6 Cleaning Kit Gift Basket Bucket

For someone who loves to wash their vehicle, (or who needs a little extra inspiration to do so) a collection of brand new cleaning supplies is economical, practical and fun. Cloths and liquids eventually get exhausted, so new is always welcome. For a basic kit, get a deep bucket, soft microfiber wash mit, a genuine leather chamois, and brand name automotive washing soap; or buy a pre-assembled kit. This should cost about $30-$40. Or, you might also like to keep going and add in a tire brush, rim cleaner and brush, polishes and waxes, cleaning cloths for interior and exterior, and so on. Just fill up the bucket with nicely arranged, high quality products and you’re good to go.

#5 Tickets to a Car Show or Motoring Exhibit

With so many local automotive exhibitions throughout the summertime, the Canadian International AutoShow in the wintertime in Toronto, and other great exhibits and museums, why not treat him to a day of it? Check out what’s going on in your locality right now.

#4 Satellite Radio

Satellite radio receivers are often on sale at electronics stores starting at $60. But remember that the user will have to pay an additional monthly subscription fee to actually receive audio content on the device. You can also get bundles combining the price of the subscription with the hardware. Check out the service providers xmradio.ca or sirius.ca to learn more.

#3 Window Tint Film & Installation

Starting under $200, window tint is stylish and efficient at reducing the sun’s effect on the temperature within the vehicle. New vehicles generally come with tint from the factory, but that is often minimal. So re-tinting even a new vehicle is smart. You’ll want to have the film installed professionally, complying with the installers recommendations for a high-quality product and whatever darkening levels are legal in your province. And no matter what, don’t get coloured or mirrored tint if you want the recipient to stay your friend…

#2 Paint Protection Film & Installation

For a new or recently painted vehicle, protecting the exterior surfaces with paint protection film looks good and makes sense. The self-adhesive sheet of durable, clear urethane film can be installed virtually anywhere on the vehicle and will save on repairs due to normal wear-and-tear and stone chips later on. Lower-quality films, which can yellow or crack after longtime exposure to UV rays, have contributed to a bad reputation for this technology as a whole. So for best results, choose the original 3M brand film (which can easily be identified by the 3M logo on the film’s backer paper) and have it professionally installed. I’ve had my last three vehicles protected and wouldn’t think of taking a new vehicle on the road without it. Standard hood protection starting at about $170 installed.

#1 Auto Maker Themed Gifts and Gear

If your automotive enthusiast is also a brand fanatic, you can likely find from the auto maker’s catalogue a simple and fun present suitable for any age. All the major auto makers have an endless bounty of brand-themed boutique-style gifts. These may be mugs and key chains; hats and clothing; coats and luggage; watches and fragrances; and scale vehicle models.

A Word of Caution

Before you “borrow” someone’s vehicle and start making modifications to it, you must be totally confident that it is all right with him. You should also listen to the professionals to ensure that the products are proper for that vehicle and legal in your area. If you cannot be sure, it’s better to present him with an ‘I owe you a…’ card and get the actual work done after it’s been authorized.

What do you think makes a great gift for auto enthusiasts? Any ideas to share?

If you are interested in learning more about Danica, you may wish to view MSNBC’s news article and video footage. Her official Web site is www.danicaracing.com