A Guide to Buying Car Body Kits

Buying a car body or ground effects kit has the potential to drastically change the look of your vehicle and either increase or decrease its value. Read this guide on car body kit shopping to learn more.
Written by Elan Mcafee
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
A body kit transforms how your vehicle appears, and there are multiple styles from which to choose. You can buy them either in-person or online.
Since most body kits fall between $500 and $5,000, buying a body kit is far cheaper than purchasing a whole new car. By
modifying your car
, you can get the look of a new car without having to shell out too much money. Here's how to buy car body kits, presented by
Jerry
.
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Make an in-person car body kit purchase

Step 1: Examine your budget. Before you ever step foot into a retailer’s shop, you should have a firm idea of what you can afford.
Take a look at your savings and consider how much you can safely spend and still leave a comfortable cushion for emergencies. Depending on what kind of body you want, costs range from $500 to $5000, so make sure you consider your options carefully.
Step 2: Decide why you want a body kit. Most body kits are purely aesthetic, but some kits are designed to make a vehicle more aerodynamic and are usually made from lightweight carbon fiber.
If you want a car body kit to improve speed, you can narrow your options down by searching for aerodynamic car body kits.
Step 3: Consider your desired body kit look. Body kits come in a variety of styles, from sleek and classic to ultra-sporty.
Be aware that the more out-of-the-ordinary looks will only appeal to a small subset of the population and could actually reduce the
value
of your vehicle.
Step 4: Weigh your options and make a choice. Discuss what you want out of a body kit with a sales representative and be open to suggestions.
Stick to your guns on your budget, and, ultimately, make the best choice of body kits for your wants and needs. It also doesn’t hurt to visit multiple retailers before making a commitment.
MORE: How to remove tint from car windows

Buy car body kits online

Step 1: As with buying any body kit, you'll follow steps one to three above to help you decide on the right kit for you. There are still a few differences between buying a body kit in person and online.
You need to develop an idea of what you want your body kit to look like and if it should enhance performance.
Step 2: Shop around. One of the benefits of shopping online is the ease of comparison shopping. Check multiple body kit sellers without leaving the comfort of your home or office.
Step 3: Make yourself aware of extra charges. Be sure to check the amount of shipping and handling for the body kit, which can be quite expensive.
It is also advisable to see if any additional charges apply. Check the use of a protection plan.
Step 4: Make a choice. Once you pinpoint which body kit best fits your needs and budget, make the commitment, moving closer to your dream of owning a vehicle with a fresh look.
Buying a body kit is an investment, so take your time in researching options whether you shop locally or online. It is advisable to take a little longer in the consideration phase and end up with a body kit you love than to rush into purchasing the first kit you like and later see one you like better.
Along with custom dash kits and
modifications
like custom paint, a body kit can be an easy way to make an old car feel new.

FAQs

What is a body kit for a car?

A car body kit is a set of custom modified parts you can install on the body of your vehicle to improve its look or speed. This can include bumpers, spoilers, side guards, and more.

Where can I buy body kits for cars?

Buy body kits for cars at local car customization shops. If there aren't any nearby, you can also buy them online from sellers such as
CARiD
and
BodyKits.com
.
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