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We have a 1997 Toyota Carib with black rubber bumpers front and back, and black black rubber strips along the side. Over the years we have bumped into bollards while parking, and shopping trolleys and cars doors have banged into the car at the supermarket, all without damage to the bodywork. The Carib still runs perfectly, but we were thinking of trading up to a newer car (2007 Corolla or similar from Turners Auctions) that uses less fuel, to save petrol costs. But none of these wundercars have bumpers. We figured that what we saved on petrol would be more than lost in the cost of panel repairs.
1. Why don't new cars have bumpers?
2. How expensive are the repairs to minor dings on those big plastic noses?
3. Can I have black rubber bump strips fitted to the back, front and sides of any new car?

More emphasis is placed on making cars aesthetically pleasing and aerodynamic these days - bumpers from part of the bodywork design and they better protect pedestrians in the event of an accident.

Bodywork repairs can be expensive at times but it will vary - you pay for a quality job. Instead you should choose a better place to park.

I am not aware of anyone who fits such strips to cars but I would imagine it will peel off over time if glued onto the bodywork.

What you will save on petrol will be lost in the cost to buy another car too.

When buying a car on auction you are not covered by the CGA (Consumer Guarantees Act) - even if you get the vehicle inspected you need to remember than nobody has a crystal ball to see what will fail at a later stage.