Just curious what you guys have. I just bought a new bumper and don't feel like drilling it just yet, want to see what options are available. Currently I have the plate in the cabin, i hate having it there, but it does keep the new bumper looking clean :P Was there a dealer option? My last bumper just had self tapping screws screwed in to hold the plate...

 

Mazda made a little front plate holder thingee that hooks from around the inside of the mouth of the bumper. keeps u from drilling but still ugly as asin IMO.

u can buy it on mazdatrix.com

i had considered mounting the plate off center on the bumper for a while... that might not look as bad.

 

just put it in the pass side front window and be done with it

 

I've got it ziptied there right now. Its not really that noticeble when you're in the car...

 

Unfortunately, that's illegal in many areas.

I have the one that Mazda sells.. form follows function.. and I'm cheap and lazy.

Seems like a creative and aerodynamic legal mounting system for front plates could be a lucrative prospect for someone..

You could also lobby your state representative to have the front-plate law repealed if you are a voter.. (not very likely, but you never know)

 

I like the plate in the front, though I now live in a state that doesnt require it.

It is better for getting someone's tags that needs to be reported for one reason or another.

I dont know what I did with my plate holder. I think I still have it in a box. It is the one from the factory that bolts up underneath I believe. I also bought an "L" shaped universal one once from a local auto parts store. Worked well and hooked up the same as the factory one (up underneath, I think it actually screws into the bumper support, which is behind the bumper cover).

 

you dont live in L.A. anymore or what
cali still enforces dont they

 

Ive never lived in L.A. "shitbrick"!

I live in Bossier City, LA as my profile states.

 

oh hahahhahah loui lol my bad i saw LA and thought los ang. sorry
you know the whole abbreviation thing haha




SHITBRICK!!!! lol

 

Even though you are not drilling the arms that hold the license plate can scratch the bumper.

 

Not if you adjust it far enough away from the bumper it wont. The dealer bracket was adjustable, and the universal one that I bought from a local auto parts store had several different holes for adjusting also.

 

True. But why take the risk! Plus it just doesn't look right.

 

It doesnt really matter if it looks right, it's the law in a lot of states. And in most places it's illegal to have it in the window. So it's not like you have much choice.

If someone is that worried about scratching the paint, just put some 3M cushion tape on the back of the holder/plate to keep it from scratching.

 

I have no problem with having the front lic plate, doesn't really bother me at all-- i just didn't want to drill in my new bumper

 

bought my car in LA with no front plate. lived there for a year and a half without ever getting stopped or ticketed for it.

and yeah the front plate just looks disgusting on the front of the car. maybe if your car was white and had dark colored characters drawn all over it, then the plate would look ok. hawaii requires a front palte as well, and i still don't have one on the car.

i have thought about a spring loaded bracket that is attached to the car and triggered via something like a bicycle cable running to the cabin so that i can flip out the plate if i get pulled over though...

 

Took the stock plate frame, did a little squeezing and bending, and used two bolts under the front bumper that are used to hold the brake duct in.

 

yea...that side mount doesnt look as bad. the deal in MA is its illegal but u dont really get pulled over for it. usually it will be like, you get pulled over for something else THEN they bitch at u about the plate

 

Not only does that look hidious...but it blocks the air duct to your brakes. Im surprised you dont get pulled over for not being able to see the thing.

 

Just buy the stock license plate holder from someone off the forum, I'm sure someone has one they'd be willing to sell.

Also, FYI for anyone out there, I talked to a cop about the whole license plate on the dash (in the window) thing. He said it was just as illegal as running with no front plate, so I see no point in doing this plus it looks retarded. That being said, I live in a state that requires front plates and I've never ran any of my vehicles with one. Never had a problem, I don't think any of them really care, at least here.

 

As I said earlier, I don't mind running the plates in front, I've got no problem with it. Infact I'd rather it be there than in the cab.. I just don't want to drill the new bumper to mount it. :/

 

Thanks for the compliment Seriously though, I think it looks better than sitting there right in the middle of the bumper. Couldn't use the stock location due to the IC.

Also, the brake duct is pretty useless with the IC piping in the way too! I've been pulled over in WA before for the reason of not having a front plate (when I didn't have one up there at all). Didn't give me a ticket, probably because I had it in the back and I gave the reason of the bracket was broken and on order.

I was pulled over two weeks ago for speeding (first ticket in 10 years) and the cop didn't mention anything about it's current location.

 

There's a Japanese company that makes a bracket with a springed hinge on it. When the airflow becomes sufficient the plate "disappears" as it folds flat/horizontal.

Just use the factory bracket and install it correctly, you won't have to drill into the front fascia, though most Mazda mechanics even installed them wrong (drilled into front of car). If you tap anything with the front of the car your bumper will be permanently disfigured though, and I hate seeing otherwise pristine cars with holes in their front ends.

I live in a front plate state but have not and never will install one. Drive your car like an adult and it probably won't ever be a problem.

 

No, every FC came standard with a license plate mounting bracket, part number FB01-50-140.

 

Then get the bracket, no drilling required...

 

I just wired mine to the side, not infront of the brake duct and only about 2-3 inches over the main dam (the red t2)