There are a lot of things you can say to someone who knows their cars. “Nice car!” for example, or “Wow, the time and effort you have put into maintaining and enhancing this beautiful automobile was totally worth it!” But equally, there are some things that a car lover never wants to hear. Things like…

1. “Why does it matter how fast it goes? The speed limit is 70 mph.”

First of all, having a fast car is not all about testing its top speed. What’s really important is acceleration. Sure, you may only be allowed to drive at 30mph in a lot of areas, but when you get to a 60mph zone, a fast car will waste no time crawling between the two speeds at a snail’s pace like most of the other tin cans on the motorway.

Secondly, just because a car can go 160 mph doesn’t mean it has to. A good set of headphones can go much louder than most listeners will ever have them. So why buy headphones that go that loud? Because they perform better at a lower level as well. A car with a low top speed will struggle to reach 70, but a car that can go double that speed will reach its halfway point easily.

Finally, have you ever heard of a little country called Germany? Their speed limits are a little higher than ours. Take a Fiat Punto on the Autobahn and then tell me it’s the same as a McLaren.

2. “Is it even legal to drive that thing?”

Calling a petrol head’s car ‘that thing’ is never likely to go down well, and neither is questioning its legality. Sure, some specialist cars like the Ariel Nomad just look like engines stuffed in jungle gyms (don’t say that to a car-lover either), but if they own the car, it’s likely that your automobile-knowledgeable friend is pretty sure that they can drive it.

This list of the craziest road-legal cars should clue you in on just how outrageous a car can be without being banned from the roads. Remember it the next time you feel the urge to take a dig at your mate’s tricked out wheels.

3. “Isn’t driving an automatic easier?”

Isn’t using a microwave easier? Isn’t skipping school easier? Isn’t never showering or brushing your teeth easier? Sure, all of these things might be more convenient, but that doesn’t mean they are better.

Through effective gear changes, you can actually save money by using manual transmission. And while driving an automatic requires less movement, it gives you far less control over the driving experience.

4. “Isn’t that car a bit old?”

Is Dame Helen Mirren a bit old? Is Sir David Attenborough a bit old? Is a 2005 Bordeaux wine a bit old? It’s possible for something to be old and good at the same time, you know, and cars are no different.

Some old cars might well be shabby and moments away from falling apart, but someone who knows their cars will be able to distinguish a pile of parts from a diamond in the rough.

5. “At the end of the day, a car is for getting from A to B.”

At the end of the day, this is the easiest way to wind up a car-loving friend. To them, a car is much more than just a mode of transport; it is an important part of their life. If you know your cars, then you know what we mean. And if you don’t know your cars, just make sure you remember not to say any of the five things on this list and you should be just fine.

Many see driving as a convenient way to get from A to B but for motoring enthusiasts driving is so much more than that. If you’re a true petrol head you’ll always be looking for ways to get more from the world of driving.

There are dozens of ingenious little additions you can make to your motor. While many of them may not exactly set the pulse racing, they do significantly improve the driving experience. Here are four car additions every driver needs.

Dashboard cameras

A dashboard camera, more commonly known as a “dash cam”, is a small camera wired into a car which automatically starts recording when the car is started. With a recent rise in road accidents and casualties, many have taken to installing dash cams to avoid false claims and to protect themselves from insurance fraudsters.

Many dash cams are battery operated and can operate even while you’re away from the vehicle. This therefore prevents many legal issues that arise post-accident by recording the facts. Car enthusiasts are also purchasing dash cams to document footage of road trips, impressive driving skills and daredevil manoeuvres. Dash cam prices vary with advanced models costing around £200 while more basic models are available for around £50.

Personalised number plates

The private number plate remains one of the most popular ways of personalising an automobile. Not only are they a form of identification, they can actually say a lot about you and can be representative of your personality. Many providers, such as Click4Reg, specialise in providing affordable customised registrations. Plates can also provide drivers with an investment that could pay off a few years down the line.

The UK system of DVLA number plates produces combinations of letters and numbers which can bear resemblances to common names and words. This enables a driver to customise a number plate using numbers and letters to create words personal to them. There are many types of car registration plate, many of which include a location and year identifier for when and where the mark was first registered.

Engine data readers

Engine data readers are gadgets for the real enthusiasts out there. They are a particularly handy tool for those interested in finetuning engines or even modding.

The iODB2 engine reader can feed data from your car straight to your smartphone. Simply stick the 16 pin diagnostic connector into your engine’s data port, download the free app and the statistics will appear on your phone screen for you to see. The product is unique from other engine data readers because of the “dashboard” feature which allows the user to select various data to be shown on visual “dash gauges” in real time with pinpoint accuracy.

Car key locators

You’re late to work or have somewhere you need to be but just cannot find your car keys anywhere. This is the dilemma that 26% of drivers have faced at some point in their lives. Of those losing their keys, one in five misplaced them at work, 15% during a shopping trip and 13% while visiting friends or relatives. One of life’s annoyances can be ended once and for all with electronic key finders.

Key finders may not be the most adrenaline inducing gadgets but lost keys can leave you significantly out of pocket. The rise of “smart” key technology is increasing the cost of replacement car keys even further. Of the top-selling cars in 2014, keys for the Nissan Qashqai cost £280 to replace.

If you’re into cars, particularly custom cars and hot rod, check out So-Cal Speed Shop for some great content. This company has been involved in the So-Cal racing and hot rod scene for generations. Now they offering great gear as well like t-shirts. We had several sent to us and we love the quality of these soft, all-cotton shirts made in the USA.

The holidays are here with Black Friday coming next week, so consider some So-Cal Speed Shop for the car-lover in your family or anyone who appreciates quality t-shirts and gear.