Back on 10/25, I asked in the daily thread if anyone knew whether or not the new front license plate bracket offered as an accessory for the 2007 Impreza would retrofit onto my 2004 WRX. In theory, the advantage of using this bracket was that it would raise the mounting point of the front plate about one inch or so to help unshroud the lower intake grill. Since I received mixed answers from those who offered their advice, and the dealer was not able to confirm fitment either, I thought that I should share with you my experience with this part.

First of all, it fits great! From what I can tell, there should be no reason that you couldn't install it on any stock Impreza going back through 2002, and it probably would fit earlier applications that mount the plate right off the leading edge of the bumper. In addition, it mounts to the bumper with rubber isolaters that allow the plate to stand-off the face of the bumper by about 1/2", allowing the mount to give slightly if the plate were to be pushed on the top edge, as well as helping to keep debris from collecting behind the top edge of the plate and the bumper.

Sorry to say, I have no pictures to show you the bracket mounted on my car. However, I can give you stats on the part and what you can expect to pay for it.

a) Front License Plate Bracket, part number SOA342L120

b) Made from durable black powder coated stainless steel
(hey, I didn't write the copy, I'm just telling you what the package says )

c) Includes mounting hardwares (sic)

d) Easy installation (stoopid easy; mount the bracket, mount your plate, drink a beer )

e) I paid $34.26 with tax, no good-guy discount. :shrugs shoulders:




While I understand that most everyone can make a bracket themselves for the same purpose for much less money, for those who have no fab skillz and minimal tools (guilty!), this is the hot ticket.


Edit: Since I already attached the image of the bracket to a closed daily thread, I can't reuse the same image to illustrate what I'm taking about. Dammit!

 

Thanks for posting the results.

subaruparts.com has it for 22.25
http://www.subaruparts.com/cart/?pn=SOA342L120

 

Glad I could provide some useful information... for once!

BTW, if you add the shipping charges, it comes out to $32.90. The list price from Maita Subaru was $31.80; it was the sales tax that got me. I do appreciate though that you found out that it's not a 'dealer exclusive' part. As far as total pricing goes, remember folks, your results may vary!

 

Ttiwwop

 

+23590854

I WANNA SEE! i'd be interested in something like that.

 

QFT

I cant picture this....might look weird, might look ok...dunno...need to see

 

pics mother****ers!

 

Easy there Soggy, I'll try to get pics with my wife's digital camera when I get home, then she will need to show me how to post them up.

Sorry; I'm a car geek, not a computer geek.

 

Sometimes when you call them, they will charge you actual shipping on small items instead of the default $9.95. And Exeter Subaru/subaruwrxparts.com will usually charge actual shipping even if it's less than the site calculated.

 

I just buy multiple things to take the edge off of the shipping costs.

 

Thank you, gentlemen. I stand corrected.

 

Finally got the pics. Tell me what you guys think.

 

nice. now does this screw into the already made holes for the JDM plates or are the mounting holes in the spots where the previous owner of your car put in wood screws for the front plate?

 

The bracket uses the original holes left behind by the CA plate that was originally mounted.




Oh, and FYI, I bought that bad-boy brand new, with 8 miles on the clock.

 

so it doesnt fit the jdm holes....?