Shortly after buying the car, try next day the latch for opening the hood decides to let go,
anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to get the thing open now?

So the cable actually came off? Needlenose pliers through the grill?

If the cable is still connected, like mine was, I used to pull real hard on the handle. Then pound once on the back corner of the hood. Popped every time.

Mine sticks occasionally as well. I generaly pull the handle, listen for the "pop", and then go push the front of the hood down pretty hard. The next pull of the handle works like a charm.

This is assuming that the release cable is actually still there.

I've had to do this exact same thing every now and then... and it does work like a charm.

Ditto. With the hood protector on, I pull the handle, and when I slam the driver'* door, the hood pops up.

Give us an update on the cable situation after you try this. We'll take it from there.

My hood never really opens right. I have to pull the handle and then push down on the top of the hood just inside of the passanger headlight.

let us know how it turns out

Most of you guys need to lubricate the hood latch mechanism.

Unfortunately the cable has let go, needle nose pliers through the grill work excellent though, for now i have tied the cable in a loop and just reach through the grill to pop the hood. Whats the bet that'll never be fixed, as long as it runs and looks good.

wow, seems to be a widespread problem. I had the exact same problem as everyone else. A little grease on the latch mechanism made her good as new (up until the day I got into a collision with someone who didn't look both ways... ).

haha how true, out of sight out of mind

Of course if you put alot of go fast goodies into your engine you will want to fix it, keeps the thiefs out :P