My favorite thing about the 99 front bumper is the fact that there is a proper place to mount a front plate (need a front plate in Texas), and the turn signal/running lamps are really clean looking.

 

Bingo! That is the exact look I want. I don't like the happy go lucky look of the 99spec, but I do love how clean the signals look. I am going to update my 94 front end with the clear markers and the 99 spec tails. IMO this gives the car an 'updated' look while keeping it aggressive.

99 Taillights with 93-95 spec front with R1 lip with clear markers FTW

 

Yeah and DMV requires a side reflector, which the 99 spec bumper does NOT have. I guess I'll find out if the fender marker lights will be enough to pass next time I go through inspection. Personally I love the 99 spec bumper, but the 93 bumper with wheels is badass...example:

 

hahah Charlie's CYMs. Yeah they are great.

I didnt know about the side marker thing. Good thing Im getting them installed on my fenders. I almost skipped out on that. Alot of people seem to pass without them though.

 

Can never go wrong with the 99, here is mine:

 

Scrub... I didn't think about the sidemarkers... I would assume the 99 fenders have the holes for the factory JDM sidemarkers, right?

 

I was faced with the decision recently since my car is being painted and I needed to replace the tired, wavy stock bumper.

Mazda list price for a new 93-95 bumper is $938 in Canada.

About the same cost for a 99 spec with accessories.

I didn't pay full list but I opted for the 93 since I think it really matches the rest of the body far better than the 99. But I'll be adding the 99 lip.

But it's all subjective. To each their own.

 

I love my 99 front.

 

^^the hotness

Gotta rep the 99's yoooooo. lol

 

Im happy with my 93 bumper with 99 lip and stock signals with the orange removed and lens smoked. I may change to the clear/black aftermarket signals but I haven't made up my mind yet.

 

DriftDreamzSS, your paint looks phenomenal! Very impressive.

One thing though, I'd recommend tucking your PS cooling loop out of the way, it looks to be hanging down very low......

 

Ya, that pic was taken right after i installed my v-mount, I modified and moved up the ps cooling loop as per rotary extremes instructions a couple days after i took that picture and I installed the factory under panel for some protection from road debris but cut large vent holes under the area where the radiator core is.

That dryer hose is also gone now that I have installed some ducting.

 

That's correct. for my black car I got the "99 spec" fenders so I could use the side markers. I believe ALL Japanese FD's had the side markers on the fenders, but don't quote me on that.

As stated above, some cars can squeak through inspection without the side markers. But MY DMV would not let me pass without them. Other states and inspection stations may be different. I had to ghetto rig up some trailer marker lights to the side of my bumper, they stuck out about 2 inches on each side. I wish I took pictures it was hilarious. The inspection guy was like "they don't really flow with the car, but I guess it works" I had to hold in my laughter.

 

DriftDreamzzz, what tires are you running? they look tough.

 

Federal 595RSR 255/35/18 and 265/35/18. I like them alot, 140 treadwear with a pretty cheap price compared to other tires this grippy.

 

Hard to add to Gordon's observations way back in the thread. . .but I'll try. The '93 front makes the car look like the "classic" that it is. The '99 front makes it look like a "classic" that someone tried to upgrade. They are both nice, but time will tell that the the "classic look" of a 3rd gen (god what beatiful cars these are) included the original front end.

On another note -- the rippling/warping effect. The '93 front end originally had a bunch of formed styrofoam under it to help maintain it's shape (I don't know if the '99 had that or not?). on many cars I've seen, the styrofoam has been removed or mutilated over time. This contributes to the front end "warping" look.

 

Dude they totally looked sick, trust me. I thought you were putting them back on cause they looked so good?

 

I think im going to keep my 93 front end so i have a 99-02 front end for sale if anyone wants it

 

I believe you're correct. I didn't think about it until I saw your response, but I do believe all jspec 93-02 FD's had fender sidemarker lamps.



Hah, I would like to see your custom trailer marker lights...

 

fixed!