Gonna have to replace the windshield...

[Klutch9]

On the Sedona, that is. I came outside tonight to see a 10" crack stemming from the driver's side A-pillar, about midway down the glass. Maybe it was the temperature drop that caused it? Who knows. The windshield was quite neglected, as the previous owner did a good job putting a million fine wiper scratches on it. They also apparently dropped the passenger side wiper arm at one time, resulting in a huge spider crack. That, oddly, hasn't spread since I bought the van. But with this new crack, it's time to replace. I got a quote from Safelite for $319 OTD if I bring it to them to do the work (as opposed to mobile repair - too difficult with my schedule anyhow). That includes the heated wiper grid on the bottom of the glass, and the moulding surround, labor, etc. The windshield is massive, so the price isn't too bad IMO.

 

[Chris142]

The new one will be nice! Been there done that with scratched ones and never realized how bad they are until I got the new one.

 

[Rand]

does your insurance cover anything?

in ohio for example most insurance has 100$ glass deductible or less.

I broke the glass in my 2002 ranger 3x and the glass was so cheap it was barely worth using the insurance(184$).. but my rates didnt go up.

 

[bvance554]

Considering the heated wiper grid i'd call that a very good price. And yes, a new windshield is nice. Mine is so pitted i'm thinking of having it replaced just for that reason.

 

[The Critic]

The Safelite windshields are often offshore and are of varying quality. Some have reported issues with wavy-ness. I would research the cost of an OE windshield and seriously consider that option if the price is only a few hundred bucks more.

 

[supton]

I think I've averaged two years on a windshield for my vw. One cracked rest were replaced due to pitting. Wiper marks are piling up, although the marks from ice scrapers is getting annoying, one the current one. Heck the rear window is getting annoying! Seems like windshields are wear items now.

 

[Falken]

I had a new car for 2 years in Calgary, Alberta where they use gravel on the roads in Winter.

Everyone got cracked windshields from it, EVERYONE.

I had a really pitted windshield from it, that when I was driving into the Sun I could barely see.

Last day after three years living there, I was driving back East to Montreal, and I got a stone chip on Deerfoot Trail getting my butt out of the Province...

Maybe it was saying, "And don't come BACK!"

Haha

 

[SatinSilver]

A few months ago I had Safelite fix a chip in the windshield. I think they did a horrible job. Looks the same as before the hit and I thought the chip was minor. The repair guy said good thing you had it fixed because when he was pressing on it the chip started to spread.

Also what brand glass are they using? I'd stick with oem or whatever name brand is on there now. Not a cheap, generic one that they will likely try to put on your van. Just go with a indy, established local glass place. One with good yelp reviews.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
The Safelite windshields are often offshore and are of varying quality. Some have reported issues with wavy-ness. I would research the cost of an OE windshield and seriously consider that option if the price is only a few hundred bucks more.


+1

On a windshield so big, wavyness will be very obvious and very annoying.

 

[racer12306]

Last time I got a windshield from Safelite, I required them to put a Mopar one in. Insurance covered it all, $0 out of my pocket, no rate change. I either got a Genuine Mopar or a really good knockoff with all the Mopar markings.

The auto glass rider is pretty cheap and considering I've already use it twice it's bee a good buy.

I do believe it was over $400 for the van's windshield had it been out of pocket.

 

[zzyzzx]

I also recommend avoiding Safelite glass!

Get Carlite, PPG, Pilkington, or some other OE brand.

 

[Klutch9]

Just got a way better quote from Henderson glass... $238 otd, and that's a PPG windshield. Solar tint, wiper defrost grid, same specs as OEM.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
The Safelite windshields are often offshore and are of varying quality. Some have reported issues with wavy-ness. I would research the cost of an OE windshield and seriously consider that option if the price is only a few hundred bucks more.


Or just another brand of glass that's from a known OE supplier, like PGW, Pilkington, etc.

The last time I got a quote from Safelite, their price was well above that of local glass companies. Safelite wouldn't tell me the brand of the glass, but the other shops all quoted me for OEM quality glass and told me upfront the brand they would use.

I had to get a new windshield earlier this week...it was $150 installed for a Pilkington from a local company. They installed it in an hour without an appointment. I would strongly suggest calling a couple local companies before you settle on Safelite.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
Just got a way better quote from Henderson glass... $238 otd, and that's a PPG windshield. Solar tint, wiper defrost grid, same specs as OEM.


Go for it. PPG/PGW is good. IME, local shops often have better reviews/customer satisfaction than Safelite too. Safelite is the McDonald's of glass companies.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
I also recommend avoiding Safelite glass!

Get Carlite, PPG, Pilkington, or some other OE brand.

Hyundai-Kia is now using FYG as their OEM glass supplier, and I wouldn't hesitate if it come with one OEM.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl

I had to get a new windshield earlier this week...it was $150 installed for a Pilkington from a local company. They installed it in an hour without an appointment. I would strongly suggest calling a couple local companies before you settle on Safelite.


I believe that just like medical, when a company starts to understand just how much they CAN charge for something, then that becomes the price. Safelite really pulls a fast one on consumers because they do all this insurance stuff, and get a decent payout for garbage.

I had once called them to get a chip filled. They quoted $59 or $99 or something really high, and I told them that. Their answer was that since insurance paid, what did I care? Since I was a cash customer, I DID care.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
They installed it in an hour without an appointment.

From my understanding, a quality installation requires a 1.5 to 3 hour "safe drive away time". That is, the vehicle needs to sit for that amount of time after the installation for the adhesive to set properly before encountering any movement or twists in the body over rough roads.

When I researched this recently, I got the same impression of Safelite as everyone else here. Henderson's is a Michigan based company, if that makes the OP any happier. After considering glass quality, the skill of the individual installer is what really matters.

You can i.d. the windshield mfg. through the DOT CODE stamped in the corner at this site: http://www.glasslinks.com/tips/dotnumbr.htm

 

[01rangerxl]

^ I was flipping through an industry magazine while I was waiting, and it looks like a lot of the adhesives they currently use are 1 hour drive away time. The work order says "fast cure adhesive" and there's a 1 year warranty if they did mess it up. I live about a mile from the glass shop and took it easy driving home, then parked the truck for a couple hours.