Gen Z drivers would never put these three ‘boy racer’ accessories on their car

A poll, of over 1000 young drivers found 8 in 10 would not even consider adding fluffy dice, bumper stickers, and headlight eyelashes to their cars.

It seems the era of the ‘boy racer’ style car is coming to an end, with 82% of Gen Z drivers turning their noses up at fluffy dice, bumper stickers, and headlight eyelashes.

A survey of 1,010 motorists revealed that younger drivers would not be seen dead with neon lights under their cars, only a meagre 9% would consider adding a spoiler or rear wing to their vehicle. Meanwhile, a significant 80% think that loud exhausts that ‘pop’ at high revs are completely unnecessary.

The study found that youngsters were more likely to consider practical upgrades as 38% stated they’d most likely choose a dash-cam for protection while driving, with 28% willing to invest in a robust phone mount.

Furthermore, 31% of younger drivers consider a spare tire or puncture repair kit as the most crucial item for any car journey.

James Wilson, chief operating officer at used car marketplace Motorway which conducted the study, commented: “Our research shows that Gen Z is perhaps one of the more savvy generations of car owners, considering making smart upgrades to their car for practical or safety reasons, rather than wanting to turn heads on the street.”

He warned: “My advice is to be mindful of the future value of your car when considering modifications. Additions like turbochargers, lowered suspensions and custom exhausts, can unfortunately lower the value of your car”.

“Before making any expensive changes to your vehicle, consider whether the modification will reduce the pool of likely buyers in the future. If you are going to make functional modifications or upgrades, always make sure they’re done to a high standard to reduce the risk of impacting your car’s resale value.”

Around 32% of Gen Z drivers surveyed believe that enhanced security measures like biometric entry are the ‘next big trend’ in cars. Meanwhile, 17% anticipate that it won’t be long before drivers start reaping the additional benefits of AI-powered in-car assistants and voice controls.

The study, commissioned through OnePoll.com, suggests that 51% of young car drivers want their vehicle to have ‘all the modern conveniences’. As half of young drivers consider themselves as ‘very proud’ of their car, with the average Gen Z driver spending up to £1,218 on modifying their cherished vehicle with various accessories.

Among those who take pride in their ownership, the primary reason is simply because it’s reliable and runs smoothly (30%). While 21% view it as a symbol of something they worked hard to purchase with their own money.

Wilson added: “For people who have been driving for a number of decades, it’s surprisingly easy to remember those first couple of years of car ownership. These memories are indelible, and millions out there will remember their first car or two with great fondness, perhaps even down to its registration plate and the modifications that made it memorable.”