Poking Holes in your New Scion tC

[Rapid Dog]

I know this is variably a German-make forum, but you guys will sympathize here I am sure....

We picked up an new Scion tC Coupe for the wife yesterday.
Sweet little car, especially in white.
Got it home in the gargage toasted a glas of red to the new addition when I realized what the dealer had done....

Some idiot in the service dept zipped the plastic license plate frame to the front bumper....that is to say, theer are no factory brackets, so the took self-tapping screws and just blasted them through the bumber...

Needless to say I am pis*ed!

I'm sure the BMW or Lexus dealer down the street would have thought twice about this idea...

I haven't confronted the dealer yet today, but I can use some moral support here...
Input is very welcome....

[Rapid Dog]

no comments on this bizarre practice?...

[legion]

It was easier than walking over to Parts to get a bracket...

They owe you a new bumper.

[kach22i]

Does your state require front license plates?

[Rapid Dog]

I knew that would come up...I believe California does, but you can "get away" without a front.
Point here is, there is no OEM bracket offered on the car.
That said, I don't think it's justified.

[kach22i]

I would think that in either case the holes would have to be there and have to line up. Unless something aftermarket was installed.

Have you seen this?

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/22935
(picture to large to post right - see link in link)

You could always raise hell and take them to small claims for a new bumper. In Michigan small claims was bumped from $3,000 to $6,000.

[pbs911]

This just goes to show the leval of compenance of the service departments of many dealerships.

That said, just take it back and demand it is repaired. I doubt small claims would be a viable course or action since your purchase agreement likely included an arbirtation agreement.

[Rapid Dog]

The option mounting bracket os just what I had in miond....thanks.
Now, to deal with the deal-er...

[david.avery]

A lot of times, it's your "favorite car salesman" that affixes the plate. I watched the guy fumble with a screwdriver and mittens last year when I bought my STI. Guess what, he was about to use sheet metal screws from his desk, the bracket was clearly m10 threaded. Gotta watch these guys - I feel your pain.

[Teutonics]

Don't know if it's the same case, but many Toyotas are designed to have plates mounted this way. My wife's Sienna had two dimples in the bumper where you are supposed to mount the plate. I hated doing it, but the manual specified this was proper procedure.... and no bracket available. You may want to check into that.

[Hugh R]

I've been pulled over and given a fix it ticket for no license plate in CA. I think it comes with a fine now for the photoradar. My Mazda and my old Taurus you had to drill through the front plastic bumper.

[kaisen]

Originally posted by Teutonics
Don't know if it's the same case, but many Toyotas are designed to have plates mounted this way. My wife's Sienna had two dimples in the bumper where you are supposed to mount the plate. I hated doing it, but the manual specified this was proper procedure.... and no bracket available. You may want to check into that.

Yep, most don't have a bracket. Self tapping screws are all you need. The bracket just screws into the bumper too. Either way, you have holes in your bumper if the car is transferred to a state that doesn't need them.

E

[kumma]

well looks like you got what you paid for eh.

[NICKG]

that car most definetly does have a factory fronty plate bracket...all of them at the dealer here in nj have them..they offset the plate to the side of the bumper...i would demand a replacement bumper off a car from the lot as if the repaint a new one, your chances of the paint not matching increases with age...they would not be the same paint . Call toyota's customer service number and file a complaint