Cost to replace windshield.

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Oldmoparguy1

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Jan 21, 2005
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Well, the transmission on the 94 Plymouth beater finally gave up at 250k miles. Need another car quick as we have a wedding coming up in a few weeks. We've located a 2006 Chrysler T&C for a good price. It needs a new windshield. I suspect it will be pricey. does anyone know how much?

TIA
 
Don't go to Safelite, their glass is poor quality, and more expensive than a lot of other places.. I bought a wind shield last September and it was $160 installed for a 1995 Escort.
 
Check your local craigslist.

I found a local guy who had an independent mobile service. Way quality glass than Safelit, installed in our Lexus for a hair under. $200. And this was quality glass with a rain sensor, installed on-site at my home.
 
Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Thanks guys. Not as bad as I thought.


Go check out the Pull-A-Part recycle yard on Tryon Street in Charlotte. They currently have a 2004 T & C van on the lot and the windshield sells for $17. Talk to them to see if they work with a local glass installer to install the windshield for cheap. My local Pick and Pull has a glass shop next door that will install a used windshield for ~$75 (parts and labor).
 
Don't buy a used windshield, and like someone else on here said, Safelite windshields are garbage and prone to distortion. That's because the glass is thinner and they're actually legally prohibited from making their windshields the exact shape and construction as OEM due to copyright laws.

That said, Safelite will install OEM glass on request; you just have to call them before the appointment to request it.
 
Try to find one made by Guardian glass. They are a major oem supplier for fca. They have been for decades.
Their replacement glass is used in many body shops and can be found pretty easily. Just ask .
 
One benefit to safelite is they are everywhere. Should an install problem arise while traveling or after relocation any location will warranty the work. If that's not a concern use a reputable local shop. Many locally run glass shops buy glass wholesale from a wholesale side of safelite anyway.
As a former Autoglass tech, Chinese glass is very common now. Not all of it is bad. I've got a similar vehicle the uses the same glass and mine is Chinese made. It's a piece of glass. A rock could hit it the day after its installed and the LOF/Pilkington, Carlite, P.G.W. (formerly PPG) or OEM Safegard ( if you can find one for this vehicle anymore) brands will crack as easily as the lower quality brands do. The quality of the install is more important than the part in this instance.
 
Call a local glass fitter; better to give money to the little guy and from my experience they do a better job. Definitely pay the extra for OEM glass.
 
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Call a local glass fitter; better to give money to the little guy and from my experience they do a better job. Definitely pay the extra for OEM glass.


crazy2.gif

You do realise you are asking the OP to pay at least 3-4 times the cost of the cheapo glass right?

I agree, OEM glass is best (resists cracks, chips and insulates against noise better) but given the cost, you have to weigh the benefits given the vehicle.

IMHO, I'd take a chance on the cheapo glass. Sure it's not the best quality, but given the vehicle it's going on it's not worth it. If the OP had an 85 Bentley he was restoring, then yes I'd agree, he'd probably want the best (I know I would too).
 
Safelite's website will tell you in about 60 seconds. Your insurance might have a cheap glass deductible, mine is only $50.
 
Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Call a local glass fitter; better to give money to the little guy and from my experience they do a better job. Definitely pay the extra for OEM glass.


crazy2.gif

You do realise you are asking the OP to pay at least 3-4 times the cost of the cheapo glass right?

I agree, OEM glass is best (resists cracks, chips and insulates against noise better) but given the cost, you have to weigh the benefits given the vehicle.

IMHO, I'd take a chance on the cheapo glass. Sure it's not the best quality, but given the vehicle it's going on it's not worth it. If the OP had an 85 Bentley he was restoring, then yes I'd agree, he'd probably want the best (I know I would too).


This is not always the case. Glass for my Z was $50 more from the dealer. Glass for my wife's X3 was $100 more after I worked on the price with the parts guy.

At any rate, it is the OP's decision which glass to purchase. OEM is the best and therefore gets my recommendation. If it isn't cost effective, well then it isn't cost effective. That doesn't mean you shouldn't check.
 
Last edited:
"OEM is the best and therefore gets my recommendation."

Tell that to the owners of 1st gen. Honda Elements who won a class action suit against American Honda because the OEM windshield would form stress cracks because they were made of thinner glass to save a few pounds and pennies. I received a full price reimbursement check from American Honda for the Pilkington replacement that I had my local glass shop install in 2005 - it is still free of chips and cracks today. The glass tech showed me the OEM windshield's cross-section thickness was 25% thinner than the Pilkington unit.
 
Wow! lots of good info. Went to see the van today. Offered $1000. We will pickup the van next Friday. The car is in an estate, will take a couple of days to clear the paperwork. Going to need about $900 in repairs. I can do everything except the windshield. It will have to be replaced eventually, but it's not a safety issue so will defer it for later. Thanks all. I'm good to go.
 
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