A BOOST FOR YOUR BATTERY
Up to $50
When I drive my aging minivan toward low sun or bright lights, the pitted windshield fragments the view into annoying sparkles. Perhaps the problem will disappear with an Eastwood Pro Glass Polishing Kit, said to remove light scratches and clear years of wiper haze. $49.99 from Eastwood at eastwood.com/ pro-glass-polishing-kit. html.
Up to $120
With Stanley’s J509 (J309 shown) Portable Battery Jump-Starter, I’ll never again fear a dead battery; that is, as long as I remember to keep the rechargeable charger charged. Boasting 500 amps of continuous power and 1,000 amps of peak, it starts any light vehicle; $120, plus shipping, at amazon.ca.
Price is no object
I’d love a Bugatti Veyron Super Sports, the fastest-ever street-legal production car. I’ll dream of cruising my street at 430 klicks, then sell the beast and devote maybe 1 percent of the proceeds to something more reasonable. It’s recently out of production: My Santa must scour. Perhaps at dupontregistry.com/ autos/ results/ bugatti/ veyron
Up to $50
A clean car is a happy car. For $29.99 at Canadian Tire, you’ll find the Meguiar’s Gold Class Complete Car Care Kit that includes tire foam, shampoo and conditioner, quick wax, interior detailer and microfiber towel.
Up to $100
Perhaps not the most romantic offering, but a base CAA membership at $70 is the gift that keeps on giving. Hopefully you won’t need the 24/7 roadside assistance or 10-kilometre towing, but being a member also gets you discounts at hotels, attractions, airport parking along with access to reasonable travel insurance. CAAsco.com
Price is no object
There’s nothing like a good pair of driving shoes to make you think you’re . . . well, a better driver. Legendary maker Piloti has a stylish line of street and driving shoes. For $170 at drivinggear.ca, the all leather Prototipo GT does the trick. Oh, and I’ll take a Porsche GT4 with those shoes, please, so I can practise my heel-and-toe downshifting.