07-09 Open Mouth Grill for Hatch?

[Iceman_F1]

Alright, so on Saturday I did a test fit with Cardinal Fang's open mouth grill. While it technically fits, there is a larger gap at the bottom due to a very slight re-design of the 3.

Here's how his looks

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=454460&postcount=56

You can kind of see the gap at the bottom, and the "filler" thing in that V area is thicker for the older models. Mine had more gap than even that.

But when looking on Japanparts.com, I found KenStyle has the following...

FRONT GRILLE FOR AXELA SPORTS 2nd generation 23S and FRONT GRILLE FOR AXELA SPORTS 2nd generation 15F and 20C

as well as

FRONT GRILLE FOR AXELA SPORTS first generation 15F and 20C

Now, based on that, I'm going to assume (hopefully correct) that 2nd generation in that terms is 07-09...and 1st gen is 04-06 since when they list things on their site, they have 03-08 then 09 seperate (so 04-09 for us then 2010)

So if that's correct, KenStyle DOES have an open mouth grill for 07-09? But does anyone know what the 15F, 20C, 23S mean or if any of these would fit on NA 3's?

OR would it just be easier to get a replica like Fang did and find someone to "mod" it by adding a bit at the bottom to fill it out more? How much work would that actually take to mod it? Is anyone actually that good with whatever materials would be needed?

Based of Japanparts.com, the item alone (unpainted without shipping costs) is approx. $400. I know for a non-replica that's reasonable...but any ideas on what might be the best course of action? KenStyle's US site didn't list any difference in years and they don't even list hatch grill separate on their site...

Any suggestions on best course of action for open mouth grill? Sucks that hatch gets less options or it's harder to find things :bang

[Nextmod]

how does it look on yours?

cause if there are a few members that wants this grill we can make it no problem

[Iceman_F1]

how does it look on yours?

cause if there are a few members that wants this grill we can make it no problem

Sadly, I forgot to take a picture...but here's a quick and BAD photoshop...

http://sdamv.com/Gallery/d/4074-1/derek-grill2.jpg

The left side shows it better how much you see at the bottom cause of the difference...

A replica on ebay isn't too expensive...but that's what fang has...so it wouldn't fit properly without some modding. Not sure there is enough interest to do it...though would be nice. How many members would it take of interest?

[Gizzmo_jr]

I like the idea but hate the fact you can see to much inside. Really, there's nothing there nice to look at. The single bar (aka emblem delete) is a better looking grill IMO.

[Nextmod]

ya we have the AE grill that fits your car if you want

[Iceman_F1]

LOL...I already have the AE Grill...I always liked Open Mouth though lol

Current grill

http://sdamv.com/Gallery/d/1534-2/derek-grill.jpg

[g-dizzy]

I always liked Open Mouth though

agreed!
so I've already contacted Peter at nextmod, he says his supplier doesn't make OMG no more :(

anyone have an idea where I can still get this for an 08 GT hatch? been looking everywhere on here and mazda3forums.com

[g-dizzy]

agreed!
so I've already contacted Peter at nextmod, he says his supplier doesn't make OMG no more :(

anyone have an idea where I can still get this for an 08 GT hatch? been looking everywhere on here and mazda3forums.com

anyone??

[Gizzmo_jr]

anyone??

I'll take a stab.
1. Necro thread from 2009
2. Your asking for a part, why not post in the for sale section asking WTB (willing to buy). Nobody will notice your post here
3. Asking for a part, from a car style/generation that's one previous to current. Slim pickings at best I'd say.

[Zuluwun]

Japanparts (if they still carry the grille mentioned above). Pay to play this time since only a handful of people in N.A. either ordered the genuine part or made custom ones. It's not worth the time or money, IMO.. even if it does look great. That's about all the help you'll get on this topic.

[g-dizzy]

yeah i checked its about $400+ on japanparts. not worth it at all!


Japanparts (if they still carry the grille mentioned above). Pay to play this time since only a handful of people in N.A. either ordered the genuine part or made custom ones. It's not worth the time or money, IMO.. even if it does look great. That's about all the help you'll get on this topic.

[leungalv]

hmmmm ... I thought I saw some on ebay for cheaper