Best options for replacing front bumper.

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 9:13 pm

For whatever reason the previous owner did this, my '01 R/T has an SE front bumper, and it's the one thing on my car that seriously irks me. It just doesn't.. fit. Well, literally, it fits, but you know :p. I've poked around auto salvage yards around my area and I should have figured I wouldn't find an R/T front bumper.. I don't ever see R/Ts in my area. I MAY be the only one in my town (there's an overload of SXTs), or all the others are show and not driven a lot like mine :p. Anyways, I'm expanding my options. I'd go for other fronts that look GOOD on a 2001 R/T, but I don't exactly know which ones look as if they fit. I mean, I know if it's from another type of car it isn't truly going to belong but.. if it looks better than the SE bumper I have, well. I've looked into body kits too and most of what I've found look too ricey, but I may be missing something good.

I'm coming to you guys for suggestions. This is my first Neon and I don't want an ugly mug on it

. Also, what are my chances of finding one to match my factory red color? That would be nice, but I'd still take a good one if not.. I'm planning on repainting my hood, anyways, if that's a success I'll just take on the bumper, too.

z3roneo · Post by **z3roneo** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:25 pm

Sux that it didnt have the r/t front.. My only suggestion would be to find a front lip from any car and fit it to the stocker..

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:56 pm

z3roneo wrote:Sux that it didnt have the r/t front.. My only suggestion would be to find a front lip from any car and fit it to the stocker..

Soo that means find a lip to go on the SE front bumper that's already on it? Any suggestions that would make it look tolerable, preferrably nice :p? I'm still going to search for a bumper, and looking at some of the body kits online their bumpers aren't TOO bad.. but I'd imagine most of them (rightfully) look silly without side skirts, and I never really have the money to buy it all at once :/

I was actually looking at the following kit, which all together totals $380 before shipping, but I'm wondering if just getting the front bumper (of course painting it the color of my car) would look too off without the corresponding sideskirts?

found here.

z3roneo · Post by **z3roneo** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:42 pm

The only neon bumper that comes with a lip is the R/t and Acr.. The SE, ES, LX, and SXT doesnt have a lip on them.. Look at the sticky with civic Si lip.. It looks good but IMO played out..

You can also use some lawn edge gardening from home depot to mimic the r/t style lip..

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:31 am

i vote 02 front with a lip kit

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:02 pm

z3roneo: Do you happen to know any pics of a neon with an SE front bumper and a lip on it? Any lip? I'm really still trying to get rid of the bumper and replace it with something better, plus get a lip.

r/tguy02: Any suggestions of where I should look other than salvage yards/craigslist.. and here. I've searched them all haha.

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:14 pm

although a lot of ppl have done it, the civic type R lip looks really good IMO and if i didnt have the r/t front myself thats what i would do

z3roneo · Post by **z3roneo** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:13 pm

Guess I'll be nice...

Look at this thread viewtopic.php?t=57751&highlight=lip

Isaac

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:13 am

Thanks z3roneo. From looking at it, I just don't really see many lips looking that great on the SE bumper I have :/ I feel like it's too out of alignment with the sides.. I think I'm just going to have to replace the bumper with something first.. but I do eventually want a lip

. I'm going to keep looking for an R/T bumper

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:37 am

Order the export front fascia. They are cheaper than the domestic one. They are basically the R/T without the side marker holes. The indent is there, just not cut out. So if you really wanted side markers, some careful dremel work will get you the holes. You may need to fab something to hold them in tho.

5018992AA

viewtopic.php?t=16336

List is $322.00

But online dealers sell them for less, provide shipping doesn't put it over the list price, it is one option.

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:12 pm

This thread may help too.

viewtopic.php?t=55665&highlight=lip+help

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:19 pm

occasional demons: Side markers I could do without for now. Now I have a question, a stupid one but bear with me.. this is my second car, and my first one I hated and had not a single desire to do anything nice to XD.. the fascia is? Is it another word for bumper, or is it, like a lip, a garnishment of the current bumper?

Tam: I've scrolled through that thread several times, and looked up several of the lips used there. Admittedly I get a bit turned around in that thread but he's in a similar situation as I am.. except.. I bought my car with this bumper haha.

Here's another question, then.. what other Neon bumpers from what year would bolt on without too much work needed? We are capable of doing some minor modifications, but if it's more trouble than it's worth well..

NyNeon0813 · Post by **NyNeon0813** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:39 pm

Yea front fascia is the front bumper..

Any bumpers from 00-05 neons will bolt right on.. But the 03-05 bumpers need the 03-05 headlights for it to fit without modifications. Even the srt4 bumpers bolt right on from what I understand

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:09 pm

NyNeon0813 wrote:Yea front fascia is the front bumper..

Any bumpers from 00-05 neons will bolt right on.. But the 03-05 bumpers need the 03-05 headlights for it to fit without modifications. Even the srt4 bumpers bolt right on from what I understand

THAT'S good news to hear! I really want the R/T bumper, and if I can save up enough for the 5018992AA occasional demons posted I will.. but if beforehand I find a good steal on an SXT bumper or anything that looks better than what I have.. AND it's flame red and in good shape.. well..

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:39 pm

I honestly am not a fan of the 03-05 SXT bumpers. It looks too bug-eyed. I, and most others on this forum, prefer the 2002 bumper the most

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:38 pm

As I said in the other thread I like my 03 + mopar lip.

I had a red 00 ES (same bumper as you) and had a civic lip on it.

emoxihax · Post by **emoxihax** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:55 am

I know this is a little bit of a drive but I'd say call these guys and see if they have one

/shrug

Certifit Auto Body Parts
1359 Western Avenue
Baltimore,MD 21230-1711
(410) 576-8800
Distance: 63 miles

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:06 pm

I called them, they said they had an unpainted, black "2001 Neon front bumper" for $33.75. I wanted to jump on it but when I asked him what model and all he simply said it's for a Dodge Neon.. no specific model :/. So.. then.. it could possibly look exactly the same as my bumper, riiiight? Have you happened to buy anything from them, emoxihax

ETA:

OK.. I looked at their stock online. These are the bumpers they have:

5014480AB (00-02), 5080883AA (02), 5101771AA (03-05, W/O Fog Lamp & SRT-4 pkg), 5101772AA (03-05, W/ Fog Lamp & SRT-4 pkg)

For as cheap as they are, any of those going to look better on my car than what I have? I'm pretty sure the first one is the exact same thing that's on my car right now..

NyNeon0813 · Post by **NyNeon0813** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:34 pm

You can get the 03 05 and get the mopar front lip.... But then u also need to worry about headlights, grill inserts, fog lights, if you choose that option, then of course getting it painted.

Or you can get the popular 02 bumper which is a different style than yours but with the same headlights you have

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:35 pm

Is the '02 bumper you speak of 5080883AA?

NyNeon0813 · Post by **NyNeon0813** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:46 pm

Yes I believe

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:59 pm

I'll call them and see if that's still $33.75, if so.. I'm jumping on that. My suspicious dad says "aftermarket is always cheaper and it will probably break easier.." but.. I mean.. for $35, I'll just go buy a new one

. Just need to paint it and I'm confident I can do that myself.

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:22 pm

I called them and I'll probably come in Tuesday to get the 2002 bumper. Unpainted, $35.75. It's a bit of a drive for me but I'll make a trip out of it, maybe visit the inner harbor. Thanks for your help

!

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:00 am

I must have forgot to mention that 99% of people with 2002 bumpers on this site have certifit bumpers, and so do I. lol. They're pretty good quality for the low price. Anything beats the current bumper you have now. So jump on it, for sure.

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:05 am

Tam wrote:I must have forgot to mention that 99% of people with 2002 bumpers on this site have certifit bumpers, and so do I. lol. They're pretty good quality for the low price. Anything beats the current bumper you have now. So jump on it, for sure.

Awesome :) good to hear! Makes me feel better about it, especially since it'll be a bit of a trip. But, like I said, I can make a trip out of it when I go. I'm just relieved it's so cheap.. I hate saving up for things, and typically have an issue doing it, because I'm an instant gratification sort of person :lol:.

emoxihax · Post by **emoxihax** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:29 am

come visit me while you're in the area
rofl
and I had a certifit bumper/hood on my old neon, they are legit

heyybaker · Post by **heyybaker** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:32 am

emoxihax wrote:come visit me while you're in the area
rofl
and I had a certifit bumper/hood on my old neon, they are legit

Hey, I'll let you know when I'm coming up! I talk to you guys more than people I consider friends down here

haha. I should be up either Tuesday or Friday.. actually.

On the subject of hoods.. mine has several chips, and the clear coat is peeling. Think it would be a better idea to sand down/fill/paint the current hood, or buy a certifit hood and get that painted? Keeping time and money in mind..

NyNeon0813 · Post by **NyNeon0813** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 8:51 am

Depends on how much u can get the new hood for... Might even be primered already too

red2k2rt · Post by **red2k2rt** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:42 pm

Tam wrote:I honestly am not a fan of the 03-05 SXT bumpers. It looks too bug-eyed. I, and most others on this forum, prefer the 2002 bumper the most

I prefer the srt front over any of the bumpers, i have the 02 r/t bumper cause it came stock on my car and i cant stand it.

Tam wrote:I must have forgot to mention that 99% of people with 2002 bumpers on this site have certifit bumpers, and so do I. lol. They're pretty good quality for the low price. Anything beats the current bumper you have now. So jump on it, for sure.

99%? then i must be the 1% that doesnt have one. my 2002 came with the car when i bought it.

imo get the srt bumper, swap out the headlights and call it a day. the other bumpers just look garbage to me. the srt gives it more of an aggressive look.