Maverickmonk

Alright, so I've had my 03 sedan for half a year now, but one particular thing about the front end still bothers me. There's that blasted front lisence plate block on the bumper! It's absolutely maddening as far as the looks of the front end in my opinion, and combined with the slotted upper grill is a main contributer to the "econo-mom" appearence of the car. Luckily the grill is a simple fix, and I'm currently working on painting up an eBay "type r" grill so the trim around it is bodymatched, but there is still the question of the blasted lisence plate mount!

Do I give in and put a decorative lisence plate over it?

Do I cut it out and fiberglass over it from the back? (I considered this, but I fear that between the abs, the fiberglass, and the bondo, all the different expansion/contraction rates of the materials would inevitably lead to the paint cracking)

Is there another option I'm overlooking? (No, I don't want some rice aftermarket bumper) Or is it best to just embrace the mediocraty and live with it?

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

having a decorative plate there is even worse - i took mine off.

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

see mine fishbowl window here:

MindBomber

A few members have cut that section of the bumper out and laid fiberglass over the hole, it's not difficult it just takes a significant amount of time and you need to have the bumper repainted.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

a few states without front plate requirements dont have that hump, but good luck finding a bumper like that. idk, it doesnt look that bad lol

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

Thanks?
It is not evident depending on the light angle




this ones appears a little more


Some others show a little more...


Darn... I need more pics than the autoX...

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

I vaguely remember a dude shaved his off some years back. Cut it out, 'glassed the hole and smoothed with bondo. Looked pretty good, but I think he said the time involved wasn't worth it

MindBomber

Yeah, I remember reading that thread.. he said all the work took him about two days.

Maverickmonk

Alright, many thanks!
and that's a nice looking coup there! Unfortunately it sticks out more in satin silver. The fact that there's 4 holes in it probably doesn't help. I may just bondo the holes, spray it and call it a day

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

hunh... have to agree on that...

lowlife9

or you could swap on a 04-05 front end it will cost a bit more but it will work. you can check ebay,junk yards craigslist or buy after market parts here real cheap www.certifit.com.