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Here's a topic that's been beaten to death on this forum, but I'm going to bring it up again because I want some help making this decision.
I know that the clear bra is far and away better than a leather bra/hood cover, but I have way better things to spend my money on than a $900 (CDN) clear bra, especially when I can spend $50 on a leather one.
I know that it is hard on the paint, but aren't stones, bugs and tar? Even if it beats up the finish, who cares cause it's covered up anyway. I can always buy another bra.
Discuss.
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The stones, bugs and other road kill get under the cover and messes up your painted hood. Thus the purppse is defeated. $900 for a clear cover sounds a bit high. More like $250. Not sure myself what to do about a clear bra. My Honda has one on it and darn it all the stone chips are above the clean bra line!!!! Go figure! I guess the entire hood should be covered but not for $900. Course when you get your hood repainted it might cost that much and more is my guess. Did you see the thread on rearview mirrors? Did you know the mirror moves up and down? Cool.
I looked up the clear bra and got the same $900 if you get the whole front end/hood kit and side mirrors done. This is for installation at a shop though. It is ~$350 for the "do-it-yourself" kit if you are brave enough. I am having the same issues. Not sure that I want to spend that much money, but dont want the paint fade/scratching issues of a leather bra either.
$900 for the whole front end? You mean a cover for all of the hood and not just the first 6 or so inches? The hood in aluminum (sp?) and so it will not rust. The bumpers up front are plastic so they will not rust. So the damage will be to the paint depending on how much you are hit by 80 mph tiny rocks! Here in this state they throw down gravel rocks when it snows. Then when the snow melts the gravel is left on the roads. You drive a highway and you get hit by tiny rocks. It cracks your windshield, it chips the paint. Here is makes sense to get some form of clear bra protection if you are going to drive on these roads. In my case the RX is pretty much going to stay around town and off the Highways and main roads until the spring time or when the snows are pretty much gone.
Ripoff. I got my XPEL kit Scotchcal clear bra installed for ~$500 Cdn. Do a search in the Canada region forum for my forum name and search words 'XPEL' to find where I posted the detailed cost breakdown (over a year ago).
As to why spend the extra? Bra = paint damage, ugly appearance all the time. No bra = stone chips and gradual paint damage. Clear bra = no detriment on appearance, keeps paint in perfect condition.
$900 for a clear bra, mirrors, etc. seems very high. I got the clear bra treatment when I bought my 8, and while I don't remember exactly how much it was, I do know it was around $200, dealer applied. I had the same put on my wife's Toyota Highlander at purchase and was charged $400. That, I remember! Go figure. I do like the clear bra, but the rocks still manage to find the unprotected parts of the hood. The windshield is still intact, but here in Colorado, that's just a matter of time.
I take it most of you guys that are bashing the conventional nose mask have either never used one or used it incorrectly.
I put mine on before highway trips and take it off immediately after, especially if it gets wet.
Then I just hose it off.
It has deflected a ton of stuff and it is interesting to see how well it does its job by noting the complete lack of anything on the hood after traveling through dust or rain.
A conventional mask (like the Mazda piece) will deflect stuff up, so it won't hit further up the hood, on the windscreen or on the roof.
It will cause absolutely no damage if it is used as instructed and looks cool on a black car.
The paint on my front end is nearly perfect after 15,000 miles - any damage has occured when I didn't use the mask. Surburban DC roads can be akin to off-roading, so this is an an accomplishment.
My car came with a "clear" bra and I took it off - it looked horrible. Hardly what I would describe as invisible.
X-Pel.....
and well worth the 900 CDN 
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