Question for the Aspire Owners on Here.

[batstiva]

Got a stupid question for the Aspire guys on here. A buddy of mine has a 97 Aspire. Got the rear end backed into, and he needs a new driver's side tail light. Are the tail lights on Aspires interchangeable for all years. He found a j/y that had the light from a 96, but they wouldn't sell it to him, because they said it wouldn't fit. Did they change something in 97, or should a 96 tail light work in a 97? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Smedley]

Funny you should ask that question tonight. We just had a couple of Aspire guys here this evening. KR3AM, who has a '95 and a guy who is not on the forum that Dean met at the jy this weekend who has a '97. We got into discussing the differences. Seems that the 97 got a makeover from the earlier years. The taillights are different and so is the front end. Here's a couple of pics.

97 taillight

95 taillight

97 front end is all one piece-bumper and grill are all one unit.

95 front end had a separate bumper and grill


Also, the headlights are an entirely different shape.

97 Aspire belongs to a guy named Andrew. We've invited him to the forum and to the Festiva Madness meet in October. Here's a couple of more pics of his car.

[batstiva]

I see the difference in the headlights, for sure. The tail lights as well. Never would have thought they would have changed design for what ended up being the last year of U.S. production. Thanks, Smedley

[bhazard]

Did the same thing to the capri's.

[V8Festiva]

I think Smedley is great!!!!

Way to go girl.

Dean
Raleigh, NC

[91blufestiva]

I've heard that the 94-96 taillights will fit onto a 97, and vice versa, but they just look different. Just like the smoothie and ribbed taillights of a festiva.

[batstiva]

Yeah, they might fit, but I don't think he'll care much for having two different looking tail lights. Hard to tell from the pics, but now I wonder if the hoods are different.

[Britstiva]

Dean, when did you get an Aspire?!?! Next time you guys get together, how about an invite....

[batstiva]

I don't think either of those are his.

[Smedley]

Neither of those are ours Jeremy. We had an Aspire that Dean gave to his nephew with the proviso that Dean got it back when he was done with it. Last we heard, it was still going strong. Both those guys are coming to Madness in October. How about you Jeremy? Are you coming?

[aspireguy95]

the tail lights intechange. i have 97 tail lights in my 94. also the front end off of the 97 will work in a 94. you need headlights, bumper and bumper support.

[batstiva]

Thanks all. So he either needs to buy one 97 tail light, or 2 older ones, just so they'll match.

[Britstiva]

Oh yeah, I'm definitely going! I've been stopping and telling Festiva people about it all year! I really have a great time at the meets!

I've still got the Festiva too. If I can find a tow dolly, I may bring it.

[Britstiva]

Thanks all. So he either needs to buy one 97 tail light, or 2 older ones, just so they'll match.

Exactly! And of course, as you seen the front is different for the '97. But they were the same from 94-96.