Cars are brilliant. They are also very expensive, so buying a car for someone as a Christmas present is a no-no for anyone who lives a normal life. For those who can buy each other cars for Christmas, the very idea of a present became meaningless long ago, and where is the fun in that? That does not mean to say that all car-related goodies are off the budget, though. Below are 10 gift suggestions for the car lover in your life, and yes, one of them is a car. It was impossible to resist.
You mean you're not giving a solid gold car?
FOR THE KIDS
1. LEGO Racers (£4 – £50) LEGO
It is difficult to go wrong with LEGO. The best thing about the LEGO racers, apart from the range’s ability to fit almost any price, is the design of the box in which the cars come. Every box folds out into a miniature race track or garage, depending on the size of kit you purchase, meaning that kids will have somewhere to race the cars once they are built.
2. GX Racers (£7 – £40) Toys R Us
GX Racers are utterly crazy gravity-defying cars that can perform spins, flips and drifts and jump up to nearly 10 feet in the air. Although the range runs from £7, you definitely get what you pay for with the GXs, with the high-end 360 Spinway Playset likely to be as much a hit with the dads as it is with the little ones, so mums beware.
3. Transformers 2 (£13 – £26)
If you do not know about Transformers 2 yet and you have kids who want Transformers, be very, very worried. You have a lot of catching up to do and not much time to do it in. For the safe bet, buy Optimus Prime… if you can find him in stock anywhere.
4. Ben 10 Alien Force Kevin Levin’s DX Action Cruiser (£20) Amazon.co.uk
This utterly mental toy shoots ‘DNA capsules’ filled with ‘planetary powder’, which is parent code for ‘messy, unworkable, non-removable stain’. Still, the DX Action Cruiser is among the must-have presents for the holiday season 2009, and any hero who has got through life with a name like Kevin Levin must be a good role model.
5. Roary the Racing Car – Remote Control Roary (£35) Amazon.co.uk
Roary is currently Bob the Buildering his way into kiddie superstardom, and with good reason. Not only does this toy come with sounds and phrases that the young ones will love, it is also built of sturdier stuff that most, meaning that unlike other electronic goodies that might be purchased this Christmas, Roary can withstand getting chucked in and out of the toy box and still be good to go even after your little one has tried to eat the robust steering wheel that doubles as a remote control.
That's a bit of a worrying face
6. Disney Cars Walkin’ Talkin’ Lightning McQueen (£40) John Lewis
Suitable for kids over four years old, Lightning McQueen is the coolest character to come out of the Pixar stable since Buzz Lightyear pledged to head to infinity and beyond. Featuring lights, voices and sound effects from the ultra-popular Cars, Lightning is guaranteed hours of entertainment for toddlers growing into knowing what they like.
Probably one of Pixar's worst films
FOR THE PARENTS
7. Ferrari Thrill Experience (£130) Firebox.com
Other brands might occasionally steal the limelight, but Ferrari will forever be the pinnacle of motoring perfection. For most blokes, buying one is out of the question, so why not treat him to a day out in a classic? For your money you get a qualified instructor coaching you through your laps before being allowed to take the Ferrari for a spin all by yourself.
Hey, that's a nice car
8. Spy Video Car (£180) Amazon.com
The gift that keeps on giving, most of the marketing shots for this Spy Video Car feature children larking about, but it’s difficult to imagine dad keeping his hands off it before the turn of the new year. The kit features a head-mounted display that shows you everything the car is ‘seeing’, plus a night mode to sneak up on the unsuspecting and/or make sure no one is stealing the beer from the fridge.
Be one with the Borg this Christmas
9. F1 Racing Experience (£1,500) Firebox.com
For the serious motorhead, this is the best Christmas present of the lot. Make sure you read the terms and conditions and outline of the experience before purchasing the present, as this is not for everyone. For those who are up to the challenge, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Yeah, but an Arrows? They're rubbish!
10. Ariel Atom (£30,000) Firebox.com
If you have a spare £30,000 lying about, treat him to his own Ariel Atom, a car devoted entirely to being the ultimate speed machine. Practicality plays second fiddle to virtually every other consideration in the design of this beast. Recommended only for those who have enough spare cash left over to cover the outrageous insurance premium.
