With our depression/recession fully underway 2008 is the first year it becomes ok to regift. With that, Automopedia has compiled a way for you to regift that old 79 Monte Carlo that’s been rusting away in your backyard since Clinton was first in office.

Cover that world of hurt with a pain job

In the say way old amusement park ride operators slap a new coat over “The Twister” to transform it into “Rocket Coaster” you can cover a lot of structural damage with a shiny new paint job. Places like Maaco will do an entire car body for anywhere between $250 to $8000 – we suggest low-balling it for your regift. Decals and murals never really go out of style, so make sure to throw on a spectacular, personalized signature.

Trim it up

Trim can say a lot about a car and its owner – like why in god’s name would you spend that much money on something that’s just getting dined in a grocery store lot? But a little bit of chrome can really pimp out a vehicle that just a few days ago was destined for a the wrecking ball. Just a little now, you don’t want to be perceived as pretentious.

Conversion kits say “I can turn your ugly ride even uglier”

Conversion kits were (and still are in some parts of the country) a popular way to turn you mundane Honda Civic or Acura into something a little more…well we’re not really sure what the point of these kits is. But if you want to pretend like you love someone so much that you’d but a car for them, who are we to judge. And much like a new paint job, these kits can be purchased for hundred or thousands of dollars. Be careful though, if your used ride isn’t from Japan it may be difficult finding anything aside from an ill-fitting spoiler.

Pimp that ride!

You can take a step past simple add-ons and completely transform your reuseable ride. This may take more money than a few pieces of trip, not to mention how stealable the car will become. But picture how your friend or loved ones face will look when…oh hell, once you spend this much time and money on the ride you may as well keep it and get them a gift car to TGI Fridays.

Play “switch that emblem” like the Chinese do

China is notorious for taking successful (and sometimes unsuccessful) car models from major companies and making cheap knock-offs to sell at home. They’ve done it to Buicks, Hummers, Caddy’s, Land Rovers, and they will continue to do so as long as the vehicles sell. So, why can’t you do it for your regift?! Just tell the recipient that it’s a 2008 Mumble-mumble, a hot import from the Far East!