Interior Exterior
Q:
For reasons explained below.. I am going to have to replace my grill and I would like to know if anyone is actually selling a mesh replacement for the front grill sections for a 2005 Elise. I see a few folks have done their own - I simply don't have the skills to so this and admire those that do...
I'm going to have to bring the car to the dealer for the minor body damage repair and may as well get an upgrade for the grill if I am paying the labor. anyone with any insight on mesh grills please share...
here's the story - if you want to chuckle at a raccoon's expense...
Last night I was driving on two lane highway at a "respectable speed" and a farging raccoon jumped out in front of me.
I'll just say, the Raccoon is no longer with us... it was obliterated along with my grill on impact.
I simply cannot believe how loud the impact was. That thing was built like a brick $%*T-House ! it sounded and felt like I slammed into an oversized bowling ball. I saw several pieces of my grill flying around and some of what had to be raccoon fragments as well.
The strange thing is... I really thought the front end was going to be trashed from the way it sounded and felt.. I drove the last 2 miles home listening for any strange sounds and checked it out in the garage.. the grill was gone... and to my relief - there was no raccoon pieces nestled in the car none found yet anyway
I'm guessing I hit it at 50mph+. I had no time for anything else but panick stopping as there are trees close to the road I was on and that would really hurt if I swerved and lost it.
pics attached... looks better than I thought ... one crack to deal with and nasty paint scrapes - plus grill...
bottom line... the Raccoon is a much "harder" entity than I thought!
Vinnie
A:
Lost: Pet Racoon, Last seen Inverness/Palatine area. Answers to the name of 'Rocky'.
A:
haha... well good luck with repairs. glad to hear you were ok. too bad same can't be said about the poor racoon
A:
Did you want the center vent's mesh grill to be fitted inside the mouth of the hole to use the existing mounting points?
If not then you could mount (glue) the mesh on the back side if the center vent while you have the clam off for repairs. Just be aware that you'll see the little drill holes doing it this way, but it would be easier.
A:
The first night I had my Elise-- on the way home from
the dealer--I hit a raccoon. It must have bounced lightly off
the front side, because no harm was done to the car and
the little bugger seemed to have skittered off into the
darkness. I think it was a warning to me to behave
in this car.
It HAS killed a half million bugs in the last year and
a half though. Moths, skeeters, flies, you name it.
It's a little red grinning bug eater.
A:
The first night I had my Elise-- on the way home from
the dealer--I hit a raccoon. It must have bounced lightly off
the front side, because no harm was done to the car and
the little bugger seemed to have skittered off into the
darkness. I think it was a warning to me to behave
in this car.
It HAS killed a half million bugs in the last year and
a half though. Moths, skeeters, flies, you name it.
It's a little red grinning bug eater.
A:
I'm open to options on this. I'd like to keep the cost down though, the wife is still a little steamed about the Turbo purchase and I'm thinking the stock clutch is starting to cry "uncle" so I may be biting the bullett for the heavy duty clutch....
that SCC kit looks incredible, but very pricey... If I went for that right now... that would be pushing it!
If I can have the dealer do something just with the front clam I will, otherwise I'll probably drive it with the "hungry" look for a while and do something later.
Did you want the center vent's mesh grill to be fitted inside the mouth of the hole to use the existing mounting points?
If not then you could mount (glue) the mesh on the back side if the center vent while you have the clam off for repairs. Just be aware that you'll see the little drill holes doing it this way, but it would be easier.