I followed this forum for a few months before I decided to go with the S2000 instead of the RX-8. If this was my only driver, I would of gone with the RX-8. Since I can take my 4Runner any time I need the extra seats I went with the S2000 (convertible, more of a pure sports car experience).

Both are excellent cars that share one design problem -- they were never intended to have front license plates and the factory brackets are a clear afterthought.

For those of us in states that require the front plate, and not willing to run without, there is a solution for the S2000 that may work for the RX-8 as well.

This web site has a stainless steel bracket that may work for the RX-8 as well as the S2000. I've installed one on my S2000 and it is a vast improvement over the factory bracket.

http://www.ricks2k.com/

 

Sorry, I don't mean to be negative, but frankly, I don't follow... if we don't want a front plate, and why would ADDING a front plate be a "solution"?

Okay I understand the brackets allow the plate to sit at an angle to redirect air, but don't you think:

1. the license plate will look silly being at higher profile and disrupting the nice appearance of the bumper. It will look even worse than the stock position.

2. Website quote:
"The holder bolts into the stock license plate holes in the front bumper and tilts the license plate back at an angle to deflect wind into the radiator face"

According to the website, the stock license plate holes on the S2000 are on the bumper. This is not the case for the RX8.. They are on the plastic grill. So in order for this to work on the RX8, you would have to DRILL into bumper to install the brackets so that the plate sits higher and at an angle for purported wind deflection.

Drill into the bumper??!! No way Jose, not-an-option, imo.

 

I live in VA and its placed on the grill. I like it better because no holes are drilled in the nose. Don't like what your showing. Did you put holes in your nose?

 

that really sucks you gotta have a front license plate where you live......Not in Vegas Baby!!!!

 

Hey, thanks for thinking of us!

It's a possibility for the future, but right now I'm just running without a front plate. 6 months and no tickets so far. [knock wood!]

 

Loco4rx8 - Over the border in the People's Republic of Maryland you are far more likely to get an inspection ticket for not having the front plate. I try to minimize the reasons for being pulled over. Rick's product is a fraction of the size of the factory bracket and interferes less with the appearance of the car.

If the RX-8 doesn't have holes in the bumper, it may not be the best solution. Perhaps it will give an RX-8 accessory supplier the ideal for a lower profile bracket.

 

A lower profile bracket would be great... gonna post a photoshop thread and see if someone can't design something that would work... I personally can't see how to improve the current solution, but ya never know...

 

i dont have a front plate on my eclipse. ive had it for 2 years now and havnt been stopped yet. in california your front plate is "the law," but you pretty much wont be pulled over for it. if you happen to get a ticket for it, it will usually be tagged onto to something else that grabbed their attention like speeding or somthing. and its usually just a "put it on or else" deal; nothing major. i havnt gotten any tickets for anything yet, so yeah, its not as big of an issue as people make it out to be

 

I'm running without one in Texas (thass right, I'm an outlaw), and so far I've been lucky - one verbal warning in eight or nine years. What I'd really like is some sort of plate bracket that would just snap in and snap out so I could take it on and off quickly. On for road trips, off for cruising around town (where the local constabulary don't seem to care about my missing plate). I guess it'd have to be made custom for the 8. Could something like this be done?

 

It doesn't look like an improvement to me. The "bent inward" look appears more like a bent plate holder than something intentional to me eye. It also looks as if it is inexpensively made of cobbled together parts from Home Depot. I don't want raw nuts and bolts visible on the exterior of my car.

I like I, Claudius' idea of a removeable bracket. I wish I had one for my TT.

-Eric

 

I took mine out :D

 

Good industrial velcro would work for that. Any office supply store would have rolls of it and I can assure you that the good stuff could hold up a brick so it would hold your license plate on the front of you car. I would imagine that a bolt that is the same pattern as the bracket could be made with a flat piece of metal spot welded to adhere on side of the velcro to it. This could be painted trim black and left on as the good industrial velcro is black too. Once in while it would have to be changed so that it looked good since it will weather. Then on the back of the plate with frame you would have corresponding velcro attached and you just pop it on, pop it off.

I'm going to look into this method, for sure. I can get the bolts and cut them off then have a friend do the spot welds and paint them myself.

 

Then again, after a review of the law here in Illinois, this is not a solution because it has to be securely fastened. Mainly so someone can't come up and steal your license plate.