cmccrary10

I have a 99 Protege and I just got into an accident. The damage isnt too bad. But basically, I need a front end. I was wondering how hard it is, (if possible at all) to put a front end from a 2001 or 2002 Protege. If anyone has any idea or experience in this area, i would apreciate any info you could pass along.

Thank you very much.

Chance.

D-rock240

Yes its possible, you just need a 01-03 hood, fenders, bumper etc..

How about a sport20 bumper? Haven't seen it in red before. (car on right)

cmccrary10

looks cool. i'll have to do some research. it looks like it will be a lot of work to switch it to the newer front end, and i don't know if the check i get from insurance will cover the costs. so i might just go with a different bumper. they are taking it to the bodyshop today, so i need to figure it out.

thanks

_Kansei_

The parts for the 01-03 front end shouldn't be any more expensive. for example, the 03 Mazdaspeed Protege bumper is ~190.00 from www.onlinemazdaparts.com, the headlights are pretty cheap (Protege5 ones are 190 a piece or so)

Exactly what parts need to be replaced on your car? If it's both headlights, both fenders, the hood and bumper, then the 01-03 conversion probably costs no more than just getting new 99-00 stuff. I'd personally stick to the 99-00 (more unique) and do the sport20 bumper like the white car posted above. You can switch to the real Sport20 headlights and corner lights down the road some time if you wanted so that the fitment of the bumper would be perfect, but then you'd need new fenders I think..

cmccrary10

i don't need new fenders currently. the damage is only to the bumper, the headlights, the corner lights and the hood. it would be nice to have the new front end, but i was fine with the 99 front end when i got the cars, so i guess i can stick with that, and try to get a nicer bumper and just get the clear corner lights. Any suggstions on a bumper that wont need new fenders? The sport 20 is kinda cool, but i don't want to have to get new fenders since the ones i have are fine.

_Kansei_

I think the only time you'd need new fenders with the Sport20 bumper is if you got the JDM headlamps and corner lights (the corner lights have a slightly different shape to them).. someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you'll just need the bumper cover, bumper reinforcement (which you need a new one anyway.. they always replace it after a front collision even if it looks ok.)

Basically, for the cost of new fenders you could have the 01-03 front end.. with all the stuff you have to replace anyhow. If you're getting a new hood and bumper they'll be repainting most if not all of the fenders as-is

cmccrary10

i guess i'll just talk to the body shop and see what they can do. my dad does a lot of work with the place that i'm taking it to, so he said he would make sure they take care of me. maybe i should just see how much it would be to order all the 01-03 front end parts. my insurance company said i won't get a check for about 2 weeks, and i havent gotten a complete estimate yet because they cant open the hood and inspect the engine (which means it has to go to the body shop first anyway)

maybe they can put the whole thing together for the whatever amount he check will be.

does anyone have a specific list of things i should tell them to get? or if i just pick out whatever bumper i want, tell them to just get the corresponing model year parts. i guess that makes sense, right?

cmccrary10

well, my dad called me and said that the rough estimate is about $4,000. so the insurance might just total the car. so i guess we'll see what happens. I just want my Mazda back. I'll keep ya posted.

_Kansei_

:'( that's a horrible situation. I hate being in limbo not knowing if you're going to get your car back

J-Protege

Did they say how much they'd pay you if they write it off? Doesn't seem right if the insuance company doesn't even give you enough to replace the car.

cmccrary10

i'm not sure yet. they took it to have the frame inspected today. i still owe 3600 on the car, the bluebook on it is between $3800 and $6000. They usually pay the median price. So I figure almost $5000 minus the $500 deductable. So that only leaves me with about $900 for a down payment on a new car. It sucks. I just want my car back. I just got it earlier this year. It was a 1999 with only one previous owner and only 67000 miles.

cmccrary10

UPDATE: They are going to fix my car thank goodness. It should be done by next week. It will still look stock but at least i will have my car back.

_Kansei_

YES! hopefully they do a great job!

macdaddyslomo

If they total it, see how much they'll sell you the car for as-is....Then you could probably just bolt on junkyard parts, and get it repainted...then you would have the car back the way it was before, but have a paid off car

cmccrary10

I finally got my car back last week. It was about $3000 worth of damage and they had to wait for parts and all that stuff. At least its fixed though. They fixed it back to stock though, so it still looks the same. It's a little nicer though, it has some fresh paint on the front end, so i guess it could be worse.