I think he was asking if that was me he saw.

 

lol. my bad

 

Not to beat this topic to death...

But, does anyone know how visible the two screw holes are on the front grill if you remove the front license plate mount?

I've been reading a lot about this issue this week. And, it's really frustrating me- because my car doesn't have a front plate or the holes drilled yet. And, I love the way it looks. But, being that I'm one of those guys that never gets away with anything- I'm considering having the dealer go ahead and install my front plate. I'm just wondering if the two drill holes will leave a permanent nasty scar- ie for when I remove the front plate for photos or what not.

Technically, front plates is the law in California. And, as I drive around town, I see equal number of 8's with and without front plates. So, I guess it really just comes down to dumb luck as to whether you get caught or not. And, I can't help but wonder whether the peace of mind of not having to worry about when, where, and how I could get pulled over or ticketed will outweigh the vanity I get from having a clean looking front end... <SIGH>

 

the drill holes are already there

you can't see them much at all

I have a pic for you from an install I was doing, give me a couple minutes to find it

 

here you go, as you can see just keep a plug in there if you decide to remove the plate

notice mine I'm using a flash at level stance...when you see the car it is really low...and light doesn't get into the grill well

good luck in your decision

 

Thanks Magellen.

I guess the holes are still somewhat visible. But, like you said, I guess you could use a (black-colored) plug, or maybe some black paint to dull or conceal the white part of the threads.

I'm 90% sure that my car does not have the drill holes yet. But, I will take a closer look this weekend.

This is such a small thing, but really frustrating... I wish car makers would just build the aesthetics of the front plate into the car's design or provide a clean, interchangeable way to do this.

 

you could run the plate low and to the side, there is a DIY on it

EVO style

 

The sales manager at Alhambra Mazda has a Titanium Gray 8 w/ the plate mounted on the front left. I've looked at his car, and honestly, I think it looks worse because it just makes it the plate stand out even more. Front and center is really the best "worst" location for having it I think.

 

Veil the plate it will tint it a bit and reduce how much it sticks out

as for the lower plate I don't like it either, just an idea

or get a grill kit...put the plate flush with the current grill, then place the grill kit in front...so you can see it but slightly obstructed, cops may let it slide

 

I noticed that one of my co-workers who bought a new S2000 has been leaving the temporary new car sticker license on the front bottom right windshield- so that it creates the appearance that his car is new w/ no plates yet. But, he has the back plates on there. I wonder how effective this would be... <hmmm>

 

probably very effective until you are pulled over for an unrelated event...ie speeding

then they'll wonder what the heck is this

 

True, true. I guess it will fool any cops that are just casually glancing around- but probably not the ones on the prowl and that are more thorough... <ugh> what a pain, what a pain! hehehe

 

I say don't have one, then after your first ticket put it on

but really how old are you? because anyone over 30 they are unlikely to give a hard time anyhow

 

yah... i guess that's a happy compromise. (hehehehe)

well, i just turned 36 over the weekend. some people tell me they think i look 28 or so. but, then sometimes i don't even get carded when i buy beer at the grocery store. so, i dunno anymore. i am getting up there... <LOL>

 

36 is a good age

good time as you can finally date women half that



oh hey 18 perfect

 

Here is the bulletin from Rosenthal Mazda but I think the dealer you bought it from should install it if you want it.

 

I wanted to remove my front plate but the left screw has been stripped out and won't come off. Do you have to remove the entire bumper to get behind the grill or is there a way to remove the grill without taking the bumper off? I noticed some tabs on the outside of the grill on the top but I didn't want to jack anything up.

 

The tech bulletin on the front plates implies that the original bolt holes may be covered over with plastic and you have to "lightly" drill out the plastic covering them. That may be why you can't see the holes.

 

Same thing happened to me the first night I had the car, had to take the bumper off to get rid of that screw and mount plate behind it. Well there is a diy on it in this site so it wasnt very hard. But yeah no way to just remove the grill w/out removing the bumper.

 

here is a pic behind my bumper, as you can see the Grill is integrated as coolstorm92 points out

removal of bumper is only a 10min job btw

 

Thanks for the file SuperCharge.

 

Man I'm glad we don't need to put our front plates on here!!!
Not to rub it in ur faces, but they are the ugliest part of a car sometimes.

 

I heard that in OHIO they cannot stop you only for not having a front license plate... Is this true? In other words, if you are speeding AND you don't have a front license plate, they can nail you, but they can't nail you for only missing the front plate...

Can anyone confirm this?

Also, someone posted that the fine is $75 in Ohio... Sigh...

Since I've been looking, there are quite a few cars without front plates!

Can you tell that I don't want to put my front plates on...

 

Exegeses, it really depends on where you are in Ohio. I live in Cincinnati, right on the river, and there is no front plate requirement in Kentucky so tons of cars here lack front plates. If the police stopped every car in town without one, they'd never get anything done. As a result, there are a lot of Ohio residents down here with cars that don't have front plates. I've had my 8 since November, no front plate in that time and I've never seen a cop so much as glance in my direction (nordic green is a stealth color, I'm hoping :p)

On the other hand, I am from Columbus and go there a lot to visit family - everyone up there seems to have a front plate. I called the local police department in late November to clarify the law and they said they would enforce the front plate requirement if I was seen, but I had no problems while there for a few weeks over the holidays.

 

Vermillion,

Thanks alot for the tip...

I live in Cincinnati also...

Like you, I've notice ALOT of cars without plates...

We'll see what happens.... ;-)

BTW, have you noticed how FEW RX8s there are in Cincinnati?

thanks...