Miata Mailing List: April 1993, Message #105
sponsored by



     


   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Front End Dings
   Date: (none)

> From:  (John William Keating, III)
> Subject: Front End Dings
> 
> Yesterday, some &^%#! forgot how to clutch on a hill
> and backed up into my license-plate.
> Not much damage to the visible eye, but *I* will know it's there.
> 
> So, my choices are:
> 1) Ignore it and pop a few blood pressure pills.

depends on how bad it is, this *may* be the best solution.
it's probably not worth the risk of reporting it to the insurance
company, plus your deductible is probably too high to cover it anyway.

i assume the damage isn't easily visible to the casual observer
since the license plate blocks the view (?).  on the other hand,
if it's really noticeable, you might want to fix it...


> 2) Repair the ABS plastic.  What would this entail?  Can it actually be
> done?  (The plastic type is ABS, right?  Or do I have my TLA's wrong?)

it's not cracked right?  "just" scratched/gouged?
i imagine you could repair this with filler and paint
(make sure the paint has a flexing agent in it).
you might want someone else (body shop) to do the job for you.


> 3) Replace the front ABS plastic.  How much?  Can I do it at home
> without worrying about my airbag?

i think so, i think the airbag sensors are behind the outer shell.
don't know how much this'd cost; my guess is a couple hundred dollars(?).
you still probably have to have the part painted, though - i don't think
they're molded in body colors.


> 4) Get one of those bug-eye fronts and put on the car.  Probably not,
> since I don't think it's very attractive...

i kind of like these, except: (a) i don't like the way it mates with
the fenders, it doesn't look quite right to me, and (b) the little
round directional lights should be yellow, not white.  oh well.
i guess i'll just stick with my stock nose, but i think it's a good
option for those that want to be different...


BTW, you forgot to mention:
5) put a big metal spike in the center of the front bumper to
puncture the gas tank of anyone who tries this again.
be sure to add the flamethrower option, too...