[Guest]

I don't have my plates yet, but I have removed the standard plastic holder for the front plates, makes the Insight look more like what I see in the brochure. I consider this standard plastic front plate holder to be less than adequate, and esthetically unappealing. I suppose it is a legal requirement to have a front plate, but I would just as soon not have one. However, I will put the front plate on, I just do not like this std. plastic holder. Anyone have suggestions for an alternative mounting bracket?

rodney
'03 silver MT no AC

 

[dazey]

Did the screws leave big holes in the bumper? I just picked up a used '02 and it didn't have the front plate bracket. The holes have some excess plastic sticking out so they don't look too good.

I am either getting a free plate bracket from the dealer or will just shell out the $25 for a new one. Would rather not get a fix-it ticket something like a front plate. Even though just about everyone in Sonoma and Marin county drive without them. :roll:

 

[benjamin]

Hi Rodney and Dazey,

I would strongly consider keeping the plate holder. It is ugly but it serves the double purpose of holding your plate and protecting your bumper. If properly mounted (with the 2 holes you described, Dazey), it will save your bumper in a minor colision. This has been the case for several Insight owners, recently including myself. Even though the other person's insurance paid for all damages, it was much less of a hassle getting the plate holder replaced than the entire bumper! It's amazing that such a small piece of plastic can make such a difference, but it does.

Benjamin

 

[Guest]

plate mount

Interesting. the bracket I removed was held by one screw only. The bracket nested just close to the bumper. I thought that at travel speed it might vibrate and scratch the bumper surface. I will look at this again.
rodney
'03 silver MT

 

[Insighter]

dazey...

Dazey...I don't think that's a fix-it ticket in California. Even burned-out bulbs are moving violations now. They're getting really serious about the front plates now that they have these red-light cameras that are set up to only photograph the front of your car.

 

[benjamin]

Re: plate mount

I've seen several installed with only one screw nested in the metal grill. Mounted this way, the holder will not fulfill its protecting role. Some dealers are too lazy to make the 2 holes in the front of the bumper (for a total of 3 screws) which secure the holder in place, while others don't do this so that you can take off the mounter without leaving holes in the bumper.

Benjamin

 

[glitch]

Question about the things in the back bin

I got my new '03 and it had 3 things in the rear bin. One was the front plastic license holder, but since it's not required in South Florida I probably won't install it, unless I want that protection like mentioned above. If I do I'll probably put a nice thing in there like a honda logo or something custom incribed that says Insight or something kewl. YOu said there's 1 screw in the middle that's normal and the other 2 have to be drilled by the dealer? This means my dealer didn't install these therefore those 2 screw holes on the left and right won't be there, correct? It's brand new so I don't want to put any holes in it that I don't have to. I'll make the dealer install it if drilling is required if I want a front license plate holder. Some people say it looks bad on the car, so maybe I should just leave it off? Thoughts?

The last question is something I may ask in a new topic, as it's been bugging me. The other 2 things in the back bin are what appears to be black plastic corners to something. I don't know where these 2 things mount, inside the car or outside. One guy at the dealer, using his best guess, believed they mounted underneath the front bumper to extend the bumper down a little more. I figured this would be a problem as they'd catch parking bumps and such as they'd make the car "lower". But I just don't know if that's where these 2 black plastic things mount. Insighter, and one other guy, you both have new ones and I assume you got the same 2 black things in your car, do you know where they go? Should I have the dealer install them?

 

[dazey]

Thanks for the warning I drive in SF on occasion and they have plenty of those cameras around. Luckily I have an excuse right now, I don't have the front plate yet. The previous owner neglected to give it and the bracket to the dealership. Once I get both I will just install them then.

 

[benjamin]

Glitch,
If your dealer had drilled the holes, you would see them. Unfortunately they have to be right in the front of the bumper, in order to keep the holder in place... permanently ruins your bumper if you won't always be using the holder. So, if you don't like the look and don't feel you need the protection (which only works in relatively minor collisions), there's no reason to install it.
Benjamin

 

[Rick Reece]

Contents of storage bin

Glitch,
Its been awhile but could the black items you are refering to be tfor the front windows (guides for the top). I also seam to remember the top pad eye being in the bin. I also didn't need to front plate (SC) besides I am sure it cuts down on the aerodynamics. Have fun

 

[Braxus]

The last question is something I may ask in a new topic, as it's been bugging me. The other 2 things in the back bin are what appears to be black plastic corners to something. I don't know where these 2 things mount, inside the car or outside. One guy at the dealer, using his best guess, believed they mounted underneath the front bumper to extend the bumper down a little more. I figured this would be a problem as they'd catch parking bumps and such as they'd make the car "lower". But I just don't know if that's where these 2 black plastic things mount. Insighter, and one other guy, you both have new ones and I assume you got the same 2 black things in your car, do you know where they go? Should I have the dealer install them?

Are they at tad floppy? If so, then they're most likely the air dams and will need to be installed at the dealership. My Insight had these two items in the back bin and needed to be installed. Supposedly it allows the car to be more aerodynamic thus increasing LMPG.

 

[joe4ska]

I've had mine for over a year and a half bought it used. Didn't have plates or a plastic frame for the front. I don't even have drill holes in the front bumper. I have never been pulled over by a cop for a violatoin I heard a rummor that if there is not a factory spot for the plates in front it is not required in California

Does anyone know if this is an urban legand or are the cops just too damn lazy to let me know.

 

[Will M]

Re: Question about the things in the back bin

I got my new '03 and it had 3 things in the rear bin. One was the front plastic license holder... The other 2 things in the back bin are what appears to be black plastic corners to something. I don't know where these 2 things mount, inside the car or outside.

These two things (about a foot square and all swishy shaped) are your front air dams. They mount in the space between the back edge of your front bumper and your front tire, one on each side. You can't put them on the wrong side. Each only fits on one side.

This is part of what makes the Insight sleek in the wind. It probably has a very minor positive effect on your gas mileage to have these installed.

Honda ships the Insight with these uninstalled, sitting in the trunk in plastic bags. Apparently they do this because they might otherwise be damaged in transport. The dealer is supposed to install them when they get the car, but many dealers are clueless.

They are easy to install. When I bought my 2000 Insight, mine were not installed. The salesman didn't know what they were. The service manager didn't know. The mechanic didn't know. They went off to look them up in some manual or online and while they were gone, I figured it out and mounted them myself, right there at the dealership, using the screwdriver on my leatherman. They showed up just as I was finishing. They then told me what they were and asked if I wanted them to install them. Too late.