Now it's foggy all the time

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 9 2006, 02:00 PM) [snapback]330109[/snapback]</div>

This seems a bit high, even for a Dealer. The list price on Toyota glass is $560.82, discounted price is $448.66. See:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...amp;catalogid=2

I've had the misfortune to have 4 or 5 windshields replaced and the labor content just wasn't that high - 2 guys in less than a hour. They are talking about $550 in labor and materials (glue).

If you do have to do this out-of-pocket, try talking them down - have them spell out the charges for labor and materials.

- Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 9 2006, 07:40 PM) [snapback]330303[/snapback]</div>

Call Guinness!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Oct 9 2006, 06:27 PM) [snapback]330270[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, I got 2 chips on the hood of my then-2-week-old Prius. Scared the hell out of me when they hit. It looked like the rocks shot straight up in the air after impact like bullets. At least a little dab of touch-up paint will take care of those. By the way, I believe the truck tags are on the front, so they won't get dirty, bent-up, etc. like they would on the back. And they also won't get written down by drivers who just got pelted with rocks.

Pinto Girl, my condolences on your windshield incident. The good news is it's repairable, and it'll be just fine. It's just one of those lessons we all learn. I would definitely check around instead of just going through the dealer, though. Perhaps someone can give you a recommendation?

 

Pinto Girl-
I am alittle shocked that you did that; you seem to be car savvy. Anyway, I would clal your insurance provider, tell them a rock flew up and struck the windshield right in your direct line of sight and chipped the windshield and you tired to remedy the matter as best you could but it did not work out. Then tell them you took it to a glass shop and they attempted to reapir it and were unable, telling you to replace the winsdshield. Ask what it will cost to have the windshield replaced. I know you just love your car, fret not, a new windshield installed by a professional will not leak. I average at least one a year on one of my cars. None have ever leaked. I would recommend you replace your windshield with a factory glass and not some aftermarket item. Good luck. OH- by the way, my prius only came down 1/2" with the Sportivo springs and struts. Been in the car two weeks and it has not settled any lower than that. I just love that improvement.
Cairo94507

 

I would go with OEM as well. I have had a partner that had a in the parking lot person do his and had leak problems. Now remember we get a lot of rain here in the PNW. Milage will vary.

 

Pinto Girl, I commend you for sharing your experience and giving others a chance to learn from it. This takes courage and selflessness.

And fear not: many people have had windshields replaced with good results. Good luck to you!

 

I would try using white vinegar on a soft towel or cotton ball, that should cut through the wax and hopefully remove the haze.

With my last car, an Explorer Sport, I had a LOT of experience with new windshields - over the course of 8 years I had 4 new windshields:

One was from a rock kicked up by another vehicle while on the freeway;

One was from someone intentionally throwing a large rock from an overpass at cars on the 5 freeway (I was going 70mph, I was lucky it hit the corner of the roof rather than full on into the windshield - I would have been injured or killed);

One when my dad accidentally letting go of the windshield wiper (while replacing the blade the car alarm went off and scared him half to death, he dropped the bare metal arm and the windshield cracked instantly. Once I realized he was ok we both laughed our heads off!);

And finally, thanks to the dealership - they broke the windshield while the car was in for routine service They kept the car for a week without explaination while paying for a rental. They NEVER told me they broke and replaced the windshield, I only found out when I read the paperwork! That service manager was fired by the time I went back to the dealership, I wonder what else he didn't disclose to people???

Anyway, I never had a problem with leaking from any of the replacement windshields. All were OEM, but only one was replaced by the dealership.

Good luck...and don't panic next time. Walk away, take a deep breath and count to 100!

 

Hi there, Personally I think you are being much too nice to your insurance company. As you stated you have full glass coverage that you have never used and always pay for. If you are not going to make a claim when you need it, why carry the coverage?

The rock is what caused the problem, this was the "accident", not your attempted remedy. I think you should reconsider and put the claim through.

 

When I got a crack in my windshield, I eventually ended up taking it to SafeLite for replacement. Total cost was around $300 to me. This was a *lot* cheaper than the nearly $1000 that the dealership wanted. I did nott go through my insurance company for the repair.

I've had the replacement for over a year with no leaks or optical problems. There are SafeLites all over the Bay Area, or they will come out to your house/business to do the replacement (I had mine done at the shop itself).

 

I agree with others that you should contact your insurance company. Yes, your well-meaning attempts to fix it are your "fault," as you say, but the rock was not. And that's what you have comprehensive coverage for. Even without your attempts, the insurance company would have (or should have) covered it anyway. Hopefully that will ease your commendable ethical concerns.

I had a similar rock chip in my previous car, not a big deal normally, but like yours it was directly in my line of sight. As such, it was a distraction and, therefore, a potential (though admittedly small) safety hazard. My insurance company gave me the choice of having a glass shop replace it or try to repair it. The shop gave no guarantee that a repair would be invisible, so I opted for replacement.

Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 9 2006, 01:00 PM) [snapback]330109[/snapback]</div>

I rented a car a couple of years ago, and when I turned it in it had a chunk missing from the windshield. I hadn't noticed it, so I paid for it. I think the charge was only $250 or so.

I think you should let your insurance company take care of it. That's what you're paying them for!

 

Congrats on the new view!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes, leave the tape on a for a few days. It won't hurt the paint.

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 11 2006, 01:32 PM) [snapback]331348[/snapback]</div>

My "Porsche-itis" was cured the first week I had my Prius; it was keyed in a parking lot the third day I had it.

I get flipped off every week or so, and two weeks ago had people shooting spit wads at me. Really. Had one that stuck on the driver's side window all the way home. I can't figure out if its people upset about high gas prices, uber-conservatives that don't know I'm a fellow rightie, or what. I did put a NRA sticker on the back of the car, so we'll see if that helps.

You display a great attitude about all of this. While we can't always control our situations, we do have control over our attitudes about it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 11 2006, 01:32 PM) [snapback]331348[/snapback]</div>

As was already answered, yes this is normal. The glass is sitting on a bed of adhesive, and wants to sag with gravity. The tape is there to hold the glass in position while the adhesive sets. If it is as warm where you are as it is here, you probably can take the tape off in a day. But leave it on for two just for grins. Take the tape off tomorrow, wash the car and the window, and you'll be good to go.

Then, of course, stop driving it so you don't harm any more rocks on the freeway.