This is a second post, mods, please delete this one if there is another thread going about this.
================================================== ====

Hi guys,

I am looking for advices here. I rear-ended someone on the way from NY to Milwaukee due to slippery roads. Impact is probably at around 20mph or so, hitting the rear end of Ford Taurus.

Results: the rear bumper of the Taurus was torn in two places, my front bumper was scuffed and my front hood (the are where the grille is), was "bend" about 1 inch from the front. The hood is still fine (it is still straight and perfectly aligned), it's just that "bend" thing that bothers me. I am paying to repair the rear bumper of the Taurus.

I did try to "bend" back the hood a little bit, but now the paint is cracking. Plus, my hood has many...many chips up to a point where ne paint will cost less than touch up paints.

Now, for my 97 GXE, I could do the following:
(1) Get a cf hood from Ange (97MaxGurl) to replace my hood. Need to drill the holes for washer nozzles and install hood pins. Have the body shop prime and paint my bumper cover. This will result in a cool looking Max (mine is dark green color).

(2) Repair the original hood and have it painted. The same goes for the bumper cover. Spend some $$ to get fog lights and..... 3M Clear Bra for everything.

What do you guys think? I am more lenient to option (2) since I think I need the clear bra (I drove about 20k miles per year) anyways.... and one road trip to West Coast/Colorado is planned this year sometime around May/June. Protection from road debris is always a plus, especially after new paint for the front.

However, a cf hood is a nice addition to a dark green car with 17inch granite-spoked-machined-lips rims.....

 

I'm kinda facing a similar dilemma. My car was in a wreck recently, and the fender and the bumper had to go (did a 97+ conversion up front). But the hood got bent a bit. I think I'm gonna leave it for the time being, and not worry about it. I know it bugs you (cause it does me), but if i were you, I'd go with #2. That's what I'll end up doing.

 

keep the hood the way it is until you save up enough $$$ for the carbon fiber hood!!! That's what I'd do!

 

Option #1. Carbon Fiber hood.

 

carbon fiber hood