No private indoor car park? No problem

Brian Early

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Gifts for me, under $50

Die-cast cars

Not having a large indoor parking facility of my own is really limiting my ability to assemble my dream car collection. That, and the lack of financial resources. Fortunately, die-cast models suffice – in 1:18 scale they're quite realistic – and they don't require hundreds of square feet to put on display. Shopping at Wal-Mart or eBay costs less than the Barrett-Jackson auctions, too. My collection just happens to be lacking a first-generation Mazda Miata (hint, hint).

Forza Motorsport 2 videogame

There isn't a game console in my house, but I'd consider getting an Xbox 360 for this game alone. I can lap the Nürburgring (or many other circuits) in one of more than 300 customizable cars – including Corvettes and Lamborghinis – without the costly airfare or tire wear. A used copy from Deja Vu Discs (dejavudiscs.com) is just $45.

Gas station gift cards

I'm not usually a fan of gift cards, as they tend to get forgotten about or, if they're for some obscure or out-of-the-way store, never used. A gift card for a gas station will surely get used; sometimes I think I'm personally financing Saudi Prince al-Waleed bin Talal's purchase of the first privately owned Airbus A380. Petro-Canada is handy for me, but any chain's card will do.

Gifts to give, under $100

Car interior heater

Scraping ice and snow off your car gets old fast, and I can't help feeling guilty when my wife is clearing off the car in the cold just because my project car is taking space in our garage. A 110-volt heater on a timer is more environmentally conscious than idling the car to defrost it. Canadian Tire (canadiantire.ca) carries a Pyroil 900-watt unit for $69.99 that should do the trick.

CAA Plus membership

"Oh sure," I can hear you say, "that's original." But a CAA Plus membership is peace of mind for me, too, because I can't rush to her rescue when I'm away at a media event, and her commute takes her and her 13-year-old car (with 330,000 km) well into the frozen countryside. $98.58, at mycaa.ca.

Undercoating

Okay, I'm a few dollars over the $100 limit on this, but I saved on the heater, so I'd like to undercoat her car, in an effort to make it last just that much longer (she really likes her Altima). I'm a born skeptic, but I own a 20-year-old car that proves that undercoating helps to extend the life of a vehicle. $109 and up; Krown Rust Control (krown.ca).

Gifts for me, no limit

Dream workshop

A look inside my two-car garage proves one can never have enough space. It's filled with just one car and gardening equipment. A 25-foot by 30-foot heated workshop from Pioneer Steel Manufacturing (with at least one hoist, a Rotary DOV A10i, $8,479; carquest.ca) would be nice, but I won't object if I get one that's even larger. The S-Model unassembled pre-fab building, starting at $4,850; pioneersteel.com

New car(s)

Additional indoor parking warrants new metal to fill the void. I'd like a 2009 Nissan GT-R (around $83,00) and a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (it's expected to cost about $45,000) to occupy part of my new workshop.

I'm not picky, Santa, any colour will do.

Nürburgring trip

Ever since I've known of its existence, I've wanted to drive a few laps on Germany's notorious Nürburgring circuit – it's open to the public for a laughably small fee. Rent-Racecar (rent-racecar.de) will supply you with one of several cars to lap the 22-km track. A 350Z costs about $1,000 per day; airfare and accommodation, unfortunately, are not included.

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