REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

jeff_alexander · 10-10-2009, 06:25 PM

My friend recently got a Miata, the newer ones, the rear bumper is made of plastic, the boot lid is made of aluminium and the rear window is too small for the N to be displayed and also falls off the window everytime the top gets put down. The only way for the N to be visible is to stick it between the license plate and the rear bumper so that part of it is partially obstructed or else it falls out. The other alternative is to lay it horizontally on the metal part directly ahead of the rear boot lid. However the N would melt onto the car's paint and ruin the clearcoat on nice sunny days during the summer months.

Since the N is partially obstructed, what are the chances of being pulled over and given a failure to display N sign ticket and also what happens when it falls off, which it has on a regular basis since the pressure between the license plate holder and the bumper isn't very tight. Is there anyway to argue out of the ticket if the cop decides to give the ticket anyways even though my friend tried in all his power to display the N when ever possible, he even has at least 3 extra N signs in the boot incase the current one falls off through out the day.

Bumper is like this
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2...00nclipcp5.jpg

ilvtofu · 10-10-2009, 08:43 PM

That's what I've been doing whenever I drive my mom's smart, (slipping it behind the license plate), I haven't been hassled for it yet and it's only about 1-2cm that's obstructed and it's not even the letter, it's quite obvious it's an N or an L. I think it should be fine. you could always use tape

jlenko · 10-10-2009, 10:36 PM

Double sided tape is cheap...

jeff_alexander · 10-10-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlenko

Double sided tape is cheap...

I don't think double sided tape sticks very well to a freshly waxed car

Blinky · 10-10-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_alexander

I don't think double sided tape sticks very well to a freshly waxed car

Stop waxing the car then

You could try lacing a string through the little holes in the N sign (they used to have them for the suction cup mounts), or punch holes in the N sign with a hole punch and hang the sign with a string/rope from the trunk closure - kind of how some dealers hang a temporary "demo" plate from the back of a car on a test drive.

jeff_alexander · 10-11-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blinky

Stop waxing the car then

You could try lacing a string through the little holes in the N sign (they used to have them for the suction cup mounts), or punch holes in the N sign with a hole punch and hang the sign with a string/rope from the trunk closure - kind of how some dealers hang a temporary "demo" plate from the back of a car on a test drive.

I don't think I want to further damage the clearcoat by having the N sign dangling there back and forth grinding away at the clearcoat... such a dilemma

sebberry · 10-11-2009, 12:51 AM

The only thing I can think of is to fabricate some sort of bracket that would attach to the licence plate screws. I too am picky about anything rubbing on the paint and would be reluctant to stick the N between the plate and paint.

zulutango · 10-11-2009, 07:49 AM

How about getting one of the free clear plastic envelopes they have at ICBC and sticking that to the trunk area near the tail lights.How about a metal bracket attached to the real plate? If I said I would give you $1000 if you could find a place, could you be motivated? This is not rocket science folks.

simsimi1004 · 10-11-2009, 09:10 AM

+1
the clear envelope that is sticky . i think it does melt but cops wont give you a break. or suctions cups work on plastic too right?

its like front plates, the LAW requires you to have it on,
if you gave the excuse that you dont want to put 2 holes for the license plate holder on your front bumper, do you think the cop would just let you go? probably not.
or how front tints can prevent my leather seats from losing color or protect skin from UV rays... no break there either.
is saying that, i dont want to damage my clear coat a better excuse then saying someone stole my N?

cops dont really care about how much your friend babys his car, they care about the LAW. No way to argue out of a ticket.

i sounded a bit mean but just getting the point across^^

Soundy · 10-13-2009, 07:24 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxy

CP.AR · 10-13-2009, 09:49 AM

Stick it in the licence plate frame area. I mean, unless it's half obstructed so you can't even see the shape of an N, it should be fine. If there's a license plate frame, use that to "sandwich" the N so it dosen't fall off that easily

zulutango · 10-13-2009, 11:19 AM

"Must clearly display official new driver sign". Couldn't be more simple.

ninjatune · 10-13-2009, 04:29 PM

If your friend "cannot" display the N on the vehicle then to avoid a Drive Contrary To Restriction VT your friend simply shouldn't drive that vehicle. Obviously that's stupid... so the smartest thing to do would be to figure out a way to mount the N sign.

Soundy · 10-13-2009, 05:37 PM

^Either that, or get a different car that he CAN attach the N to. Like an '89 Caprice, there's LOTS of metal in those!

B-DiZzLe · 10-13-2009, 06:09 PM

orrrrrrrrrrrr.... get your class 5

jeff_alexander · 10-14-2009, 12:00 AM

I guess from this we can conclude ICBC hates the enviroment, they discriminate against cars that are not made of steel. They promote heavy cars instead of light weight materials.

misteranswer · 10-14-2009, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_alexander

I guess from this we can conclude ICBC hates the enviroment, they discriminate against cars that are not made of steel. They promote heavy cars instead of light weight materials.

Your licenses should be revoked for poor reasoning skills.

Soundy · 10-14-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_alexander

I guess from this we can conclude ICBC hates the enviroment, they discriminate against cars that are not made of steel. They promote heavy cars instead of light weight materials.

Jeffield · 10-14-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blinky

Stop waxing the car then

You could try lacing a string through the little holes in the N sign (they used to have them for the suction cup mounts), or punch holes in the N sign with a hole punch and hang the sign with a string/rope from the trunk closure - kind of how some dealers hang a temporary "demo" plate from the back of a car on a test drive.

Use the plastic bag they give you.... Even a Lamborghini uses that

Also 3M double sided tape works for sure... it holds anything on even if its freshly waxxed ( tried it last night )

zulutango · 10-14-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_alexander

I guess from this we can conclude ICBC hates the enviroment, they discriminate against cars that are not made of steel. They promote heavy cars instead of light weight materials.

Actually the laws of science that will not allow plastic to attract steel magnets, is the law you should be protesting.

CRS · 10-14-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_alexander

I guess from this we can conclude ICBC hates the enviroment, they discriminate against cars that are not made of steel. They promote heavy cars instead of light weight materials.

Because you know... Things like plastic and how they make it is soooo environmentally safe compared to metal.

jlenko · 10-14-2009, 09:42 AM

Another RS.net user tries to rationalize breaking the law because they're too lazy to do it the right way! (Edit: While pretending it's not him, it's "my friend" ha ha ha...)

How about you have your parents sell your Miata and buy you a nice big car made from lots of steel. Like a van. Then you'll have lots of places to stick that N of yours... aside from the obvious place, which I don't need to spell out.

jlenko · 10-14-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_alexander

The other alternative is to lay it horizontally on the metal part directly ahead of the rear boot lid. However the N would melt onto the car's paint and ruin the clearcoat on nice sunny days during the summer months.

I missed this the first time through

Soundy · 10-14-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_alexander

The other alternative is to lay it horizontally on the metal part directly ahead of the rear boot lid. However the N would melt onto the car's paint and ruin the clearcoat on nice sunny days during the summer months.

But look on the bright side, once it's melted into the clearcoat, you don't have to worry about someone stealing your N!

stotch · 10-14-2009, 03:03 PM

Judging from all your excuses you just want someone to tell you that its ok not to display your N sign.

So . . .

Its ok not to display your N sign (as long as your prepared to deal with the possible consequences).

I have had my N since 2005 and I never use an N sign ever. I've been pulled over a few times for other reasons,and gone through a few road checks, a cop has never mentioned it(or noticed?).

IMO most normal, friendly, nice, cops will leave you alone unless your car attracts a lot of attention, or you drive like a jackass.