Need a reality check - scraped underside of bumper on parking block
 

Combination of recovering from baking in the sun and just afternoon tiredness but was careless and pulled over a parking stop. Not the first time ever, but this time it was way careless. Usually never have issues with gauging the distance but not sure why I was so out of it mentally this time, almost like I knew it was going to happen in slow motion.

Anyway, given all the unmatched paint stories circulating on the forum, I was wondering what people's long term plans are for their front ends on SWP/whiteout and WRB, which are typically hard to match.

It's visible when on your knees, looking straight at car from around headlight level, and I've touched up a bit to remove the black scrapes that catch the eye (the part that starts to slope upward in the middle of bumper, between the two fangs). Fangs themselves are pretty scraped on the underside, rides up to 1" below tip of fang.

I'm thinking of a few options.

1) just leave it forever, car has been to the track and will be back. It's my DD, it's going to happen (in the lead)

2) replace with OEM down the line after more chips and dents and have it painted (good option, but not super keen on having non-factory paint

3) body kit front bumper after same conditions in #2, Chargespeed front end looks great but that comes with the headache of fitting aftermarket parts, and paint as well.

Any sage advice from owners farther down the lifecycle would be greatly appreciated.

have you seen my car yet?


I say fuck it! Battle scars. :)

At least you did it yourself. I had the same thing happen but with a technician at North Hills Toyota in Pittsburgh. I did a walk around of the car but I didn't think to look underneath. Washed and waxed it two days later and as I was doing the bug removal on the bumper I noticed the cloth "caught" on something. Laid flat on my belly and to my horror there are 9 deep gashes in the bottom of the bumper. Of course they won't man up to it, said I'm "Trying to score a free bumper cover". So much for a 3 year, two new purchased vehicles, at their service center every 5,000 miles, relationship. At least you can't see the damage.

At least my Dad paints cars and I can have him do the work with me. Might even teach me a few things. Going to wait at least until next year to replace it though since I've already got a few chips and I'm sure I'll have more.

I really need to make it out to one of the autox events. Need to see this stock ride tearing up the circuits :thumbup: (and all its battle scars)