Cars VS Tape Upgrades Tier List
Rank trainers, trails, and pets so non-car spends still raise wall clears.
Not every coin in Cars VS Tape should become a new car. Trainers, trails, pets, and related shop systems shape how fast you gain speed and how smoothly you convert that speed into tape layers, coins, and wins. This Upgrades Tier List ranks those non-car spends for Roblox progression value. Pair it with the Cars Tier List so the garage stays balanced.
What counts as an upgrade here
- Trainers — accelerate the treadmill/station part of the loop
- Trails — bonuses or cosmetics attached to movement flair
- Pets / eggs / craft pets — support bonuses earned through gacha-like or crafting sinks
- Quality-of-life buys — convenience that does not equal raw smash power
Game passes (Double Speed, x2 Wins, Auto Rebirth, treadmills) are optional Roblox purchases discussed in guides; they are not mixed into S–D shop tiers below.
Tier meanings
S-tier upgrades
S-tier means the upgrade removes a real bottleneck. A trainer that sharply cuts time-to-target-speed is S when your sessions are training-limited. A pet effect that meaningfully boosts income can be S only after you already own a respectable car — otherwise the same coins belonged in the Cars Tier List.
A-tier upgrades
A-tier covers reliable trainers and support pets that steadily improve cycles. These are the purchases you make on most rebirth paths without overthinking.
B-tier upgrades
B-tier includes situational trails with modest bonuses, mid eggs, or craft steps that pay off later. Good when cheap relative to your income; weak when they delay an S car.
C-tier upgrades
C-tier is filler: small trails, low-impact pets, or duplicate-leaning craft goals. Buy for collection after power needs are met.
D-tier upgrades
D-tier is vanity and trap sinks — spends that mostly change appearance or give negligible smash help. Fun after you are comfortable with How to Rebirth timing.
Category cheat sheet
| Category | Usually ranks | Buy when |
|---|---|---|
| Trainers | S–A if training is slow | Runs feel station-starved |
| Trails (bonus) | A–B | Cheap relative to power car |
| Trails (cosmetic) | C–D | After progression goals |
| Pets / eggs | A–C | Car basics already owned |
| Craft pet goals | B–C | You understand craft sinks |
Suggested spend split
A healthy mid-game wallet often looks like:
- Car power (largest share) — see How to Get Better Cars
- Trainer improvements that protect coins-per-minute
- One strong support pet path
- Trails only when they are efficient
- Cosmetics last
If you follow How to Progress Faster, upgrades should shorten measured loop time. If a purchase does not change layers or minutes, it was probably C/D for your account.
Eggs and craft pets without going broke
Eggs are exciting because results vary. Set a budget: only open eggs with surplus after the next car/trainer goal is funded. Craft pets can be great long-term sinks, but crafting chains that starve your smash car will slow rebirth cadence. When codes appear on Active Codes, decide whether the reward should fund a trainer, an egg, or the next vehicle — do not auto-spend into vanity trails.
Upgrades around rebirth
Before rebirth, prefer upgrades that help you hit the reset sooner. After rebirth, restore trainers early so you can re-train quickly, then rebuild car power, then re-open pet goals. The Rebirth Planner includes prompts for this order.
Related pages
Upgrades are the quiet half of Cars VS Tape strength. Rank them honestly, fund the bottlenecks, and let the tape wall show whether your shop brain is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for Cars VS Tape progression questions.
Are trainers better than trails?
When training time limits your coins per minute, trainers usually outrank trails. Bonus trails can still be good if cheap and strong.
When should I buy pet eggs?
After your car and key trainers are in a good place. Eggs are support spends, not a replacement for smash vehicles.
Do craft pets belong in S-tier?
Only if their effect is major for your stage. Many craft goals are B/C long-term sinks.
Should I upgrade right before rebirth?
Buy only what speeds the final push. Avoid vanity upgrades you will not appreciate after reset.
Where do I rank cars?
Use the Cars Tier List for vehicle rankings; this page covers non-car upgrades.