Americans love to drive, as evidence by the over 200 million residents that have their driver’s license. But in order to drive, you need to have a vehicle. When choosing a vehicle to buy, there are many different things to think about. However, in addition to color, make, model and other common things to consider, one thing you should make sure to look at is the bumper. While the look, feel and stability of a bumper might seem like an afterthought, it can actually be quite important.
Your car’s bumper can change its look and is also your first line of defense in an accident or some sort of minor collision. As a result, you need to choose the right bumper for the type of vehicle you want. This article is going to go over a few tips and questions to ask yourself when trying to choose the right bumper.
What Material and Coating Do You Prefer?
One of the first things to think about when choosing the right bumper for your car, is the material it’s made of. This can include plastic, steel, rubber and other materials. . Of course, before a bumper is actually built, a prototype needs to be created. This prototyping stage is important to weed out any potential issues and ensure the bumper meets or exceeds all standards and passes every test.
Many of the largest companies and auto manufacturers on the planet trust companies like 3ERP to handle this important stage to ensure you are getting the best possible final product. Learning about this prototyping process can help you learn about what goes into creating different kinds of bumpers. Each has their own pros and cons and the right material for someone else might not be right for you.
In addition to choosing the material, you should also think about the type of coating you prefer. Of course, you will want a coating that won’t chip off, will remain strong and protect the front and back ends of your vehicle. A very common choice for a wide range of different people is powder coating, but feel free to do your own research on what works best.
How Much Can You Afford?
As with any option for a vehicle, the choice you ultimately go with needs to be one that you can afford. Buying (or owning) a car is expensive enough already, so you want to ensure you can afford the aftermarket bumper you select. In fact, the average American will spend almost $9,000 a year on their car between payments, fuel, maintenance and other costs.
Now, simply going with the cheapest bumper option is not a good idea either. You need to find a material and provider that you can afford, but still offers you a decent quality. If you can, consider buying directly from the original manufacturer if you can, this will often get you a better deal.
What Style or Design Do You Want?
Just like the vehicles they are fixed to, there are many different types of bumpers that can be purchased. There are larger ones that are better for large trucks and jeeps, and also some lighter and more toned-down styles for sports cars. There are also various different colors and designs, so you can get one that not only provides a function, but looks good as well.
The size and style that you choose will of course depend on the car you have and your needs. If you are offroading, your needs of a bumper will be vastly different than someone simply driving in the city. There are also many potential features and options to consider when choosing a bumper including things like lights.
We hope this article has been able to help you be able to choose the right bumper for your vehicle. While many people might disregard their bumper, it is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Having a low quality or incorrect bumper for your vehicle can come back to bite you after an accident, so be sure to choose the right one.