I'm all about a class-action lawsuit regarding the wingshields.

 

I used to think that SOA was using inferior glass but when I had my OEM windshield replaced with PPG glass ($$$ out of pocket), it has been chipped and cracked from rock strikes on the freeway just as easily as OEM glass. I don't even tailgate, either.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

I've been through four windshields in four years due to the gravel used for the highway medians in Arizona. The OEM windshield lasted the longest of the four. All the others were the best possible, "factory replacement" glass my insurance company would pay for, and they degraded much faster than the factory glass did.

 

I wish there was a product like the 3M clear laminate for body panels that was optically flawless and could be applied to windshields. I don't believe it would be legal in most states but if it would be hard to detect and would save windshields from most chips and cracks. The plastic would have to be absolutely perfect, though - any imperfections in optical quality would be obvious while driving.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Isn't that how bulletproof glass works?

BTW, all of the non-original windshields I have had also have terrible rear-view mirror mounting brackets that are loose and allow the mirror to vibrate. Subaru's factory glass never had that problem.

 

I got my car used and they had a video about a diamond-like bonding coating thingy on the windshield that was already on the car......I have yet to have a crack in the year I've had the car

 

Mine got a 6 inch crack instantly when a landscape truck dumped some crap on the freeway.. and he was in the lane next to me. bad luck i guess. anyway, it stayed put for a while, but now that summer is here... oh man its getting nasty.

Is it even possible to find the factory windshield replacement? I kind of like the black near the top of the windshield. I hate that colored tint that replacements one usually have. If anyone knows who can supply the factory windshield can you please let me know.

 

I'm on my third windshield, both replacements have been aftermarket but they were/are identical to the OEM in appearance.
One reason the windshield is damaged so easily is that it is closer to vertical than in other vehicles, so rock impacts will be more direct where they would tend to glance off a more steeply raked windshield.

 

How much would "bullet proof" glass cost, or is it not optically perfect enough?

 

More than you'd want to pay, and they are VERY heavy. It can still get cracks and chips too, "bulletproof" just means that it won't perforate.

 

OEM windshield durability? = non existent

 

I second that... I got that nice 6 inch shiner within the first 6 months..

whats a good price for a replacement. im not filing an insurance claim. i got online quotes from $270-$340. is that about right?

 

yeah mine was 340 installed, seems pretty fair over the 700 the dealer wants.

 

called some local guys i saw on craigslist. one quoted me $400 and another quoted $240. not bad at all.

if anyone needs a windshield for an 05 wrx, check these guys out:

http://www.kwautoglass.com/

they're in San leandro.

EDIT:

I just found another place that will replace it for $220 w/ out insurance!!. something pretty interesting the lady told me: the WRX windshields cost around $120, and she thought that was way too much, because on average replacememt windows for other cars are around $40-$60. Holy crap.. everything on these cars are expensive.
It's like having a high maintenance girlfriend...

 

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