After taking my car out for the first time in over 2 weeks, on my way back from work I rock flew at me on the highway and caused a good size crack (over 8 inches) across the the passenger side windshield. i called my insurance company and good news is they'll replace it at no charge (according to my insurance agent). I don't know of any auto glass shops so the lady I talked to refer me to Advantage Auto Glass in St. Paul. Anyone have any experience with these guys? Any other places you would recommend? I told the lady that I want the replacement to be as close to OEM as possible. Is there anything I should know when I take it in? (i.e. the visor thing across the top, what are they planning to do with my auto-dim rearview mirror, defroster). Excuse my noobness, and I know some of these things are no big deal but I'm anal when it comes to my car. Any help and advice? Thanks.
I've had great luck with Boulay Auto Glass. Tell them Eli from Lexus sent you. They'll treat you right, I promise. They're mobile, too, so they can fix your windshield while you're at work, or at home, or whatever. Really easy to deal with.
Tell the shop explicitly that you want the one with the visor, the 02-03/bugeye glass did not have that and does fit in the same hole (obviously). I don't have an auto dim mirror but I am assuming its wired from the roof like the one on my mom's legacy outback, shouldn't be affected (the mirror hooks onto the glass and a bit of plastic hides the wire). The glass with the defroster strip for the wipers was a different piece of glass vs. the no visor and the visored glass, but again you should tell them explicitly (provided they don't bring it up themselves) From what I remember, the list price was in the 2-300 range for the front windshield, but that's the price from the warehouse I was working at to a shop, not sure what shops tack onto that for labor and whatnot. It's also been 6+ months since I could look at prices, ymmv.
Carl, I think it was between $220 and $250 if I remember correctly out here in the eastern boondocks. However, I didn't pay that much as I had insurance do it. I got a PPG windshield put in and have been happy with it (meaning, I can see through it and haven't noticed any ripples or such). It is also the OE greenish tint. And, currently, a lot of bug detritus.
might be worth it, it was a huge pain to cut ours out - I don't really want to pull fobia's after that (would probably crack it lol)
