Days of the ‘boy racer’ style car are numbered – with fluffy dice, bumper stickers shunned by Gen Z

THE days of the “boy racer” style car are numbered – with fluffy dice, bumper stickers, and headlight eyelashes all now shunned by Gen Z.

A poll of 1,010 drivers found 83 per cent of the younger motorists wouldn’t be caught dead with neon lighting illuminating their car’s underside.

Just nine per cent would stick a massive spoiler or rear wing on their motor.

While 80 per cent believe noisy exhausts that ‘pop’ at high revs are totally unnecessary.

But 38 per cent said a dash-cam to protect them when driving is the modification they’d most likely opt for, with 28 per cent investing in a sturdy phone mount.

And 31 per cent of younger drivers believe a spare tyre or puncture repair kit is the most essential item for any car journey.

James Wilson, chief operating officer at used car marketplace Motorway, which commissioned the research, said: “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.

“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.”

The study also found eight per cent of Gen Z plan to upgrade their wheels with actual engine modifications.

But 35 per cent would still be keen to get some privacy going with tinted windows, while 28 per cent would put on some alloy wheels.

Around a third (32 per cent) of the Gen Z drivers polled reckon enhanced security measures like biometric entry are the ‘next big trend’ in cars.

While 17 per cent think it won’t be too long until drivers start enjoying even further benefits of AI-powered in-car assistants and voice controls.

But just nine per cent of Gen X think eco-friendly modifications will be the next big car trend, compared to 26 per cent of Millennials

The typical Gen Z driver has spent as much as £1,218 on modifying their pride and joy with different accessories, whereas Boomers have spent just £41.71.

In fact, 70 per cent of Boomers and 56 per cent of Gen X haven’t spent anything on adding accessories or modifications to their cars

Compared to just 22 per cent of Millennials and 11 per cent of Gen Z who have not parted with any cash to do up their motor.

The research, commissioned via OnePoll.com, also found 51 per cent of young car drivers want their vehicle to have ‘all the modern conveniences’.

However, only 13 per cent of Boomers agree – with the majority of older drivers happy with their car is the way it is.

It also emerged 49 per cent of young drivers describe themselves as ‘very proud’ of their car, although six per cent aren’t happy with their wheels at all.

Of those who do feel the pride of ownership, the top reason is simply that it’s reliable and runs smoothly (30 per cent).

While 21 per cent see it as a reminder of something they worked hard to buy with their own money.

James Wilson, from Motorway, 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.

“However, lots of the car modifications that younger generations are now shunning are also the trends that were popular when older drivers got their first car.

“It’s interesting to see the evolution of these trends as we move towards more functional and eco-friendly choices.”

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