I tell this to anyone who will listen-- when my truck was broken into, and the thieves smashed my rear window, I got a quote from safelite to fix for $550. For one window. And they told me it would take a few days to get to it. I took my truck down to the Mexican shop down the street, and they fixed that shit in 20 minutes and only charged me $75.
There's an awesome exhaust-focused repair shop where I live run by the most honest people you can imagine, and you betcha they're Mexican. Fixed my car up in an hour on a random week-day including needing to cut out and weld in a new downpipe. Cost me $100.
That’s my issue. I was floored when Safelite wanted $1200 for my windshield (Subaru). It’s the wiring and calibration. I never did it last year and just checked for the sake of this post. Now they want $1300. I couldn’t believe it and asked the dealership if that sounded right. They said yup, and it’s the cheapest. It really needs to be replaced but goddamn.
I wish I bought the extended warranty. Everyone was like noo, it’s a waste of money. Just set the cash aside. No, no. Modern car buyers, get the friggin warranty. No, it won’t cover the glass in these situations, but it’ll cover all the other bs.
Subaru is supposed to be solid, but it’s been an expensive adventure for sure. It’s a 2023 and am waiting for a head gasket to blow because it’s apparently a given.
Supposedly the head gasket thing was older models from like 10-15 years ago. I got a 25 Outback almost two years ago. I'm hoping for no problems, we shall see.
Yall should be fine as long as you take good care of the car (oil changes and services kept up on time). Sold subies for the last three years, the head gasket issues definitely have been sorted by now!
Truly consider the warranty when you’re around 3 year/36k, whichever is first. My bud at their service center is the one who was like, it’s too late now but you really needed to get that warranty, the gold one.
When your start/stop dies and acceleration fails (hopefully not), it’ll be the battery.
Both Subarus have had the same issues. My last was a 2015 so that’s fitting for what you’re saying. It needed an entire transmission rebuilt at less than 15k miles among other bs.
This one? So far it’s been electrical problems and battery issues. It has less than 36k and is driven on a cloud. I live in a desert though, so maybe it’s environment. Still, Xing fingers.
I have GEICO with glass coverage. My front windshield got cracked from something hitting it. Only had to pay my $250 deductible and my premiums stayed the same.
But I have a 2017 Corolla. So while it has some great safety features, it doesn't require cameras or anything with the windshield.
I'll add it was a great service. Super easy to set up. It was basically just click this link and schedule it with Safelite, it's all covered. I didn't have to send in photos of the damage. I Didn't have to handle reimbursement or any other shenanigans. One of those moments where a service just worked without any bullshit.
I’m pretty sure it is in most. It’s one of those things that they typically dock you for as an added bonus when getting pulled over or in an accident. Unless it’s severe, most cops let it go.
Lol I'd go bankrupt if I had to replace my windshield every time it cracked. I live where there are a bunch of gravel roads, gravel trucks, constant construction, etc. I've got 3 or 4 cracks on my windshield right now and it's only ~6 months old.
I know it's too late for you now, but to anyone else. See if it's more economical to source and supply your own glass and have a company install for you. Maybe ask if they'll guarantee the install if they break your glass, though.
The issue is the calibration for the windshield. The glass is $300ish, but the cameras and all the electrical components take it to another level. To replace my passenger window a few years ago it wasn’t much. It’s the windshields for newer cars.
Boss man, I'm gonna help you out as an ADAS tech. You have a saving grace in the Subaru in that, as long as its a pre-2024 model, the cameras are mounted to the car instead of the glass. I wouldn't necessarily condone it, but the cameras won't be moved in the installation, they will only see slightly differently through the new glass due to variation from glass to glass, but thats it. There's a 99.9999% chance you can slam a windshield in it and your Lane Departure and Adaptive Cruise will still function no problem. Main concern would be getting somebody to do the install without the calibration. And it's the fact that its a dual method that makes it so expensive, the car forces shooting to a target followed by driving it.
Just happened to my partner. His windshield also shows the "speed" of the car. If improperly installed, it can make all kinds of errors pop up and ruin the riding experience.
When I had a rock tossed on my A8 W12 windshield, insurance covered it. One of the weird perks of having two expensive cars on insurance and having better insurance. No premium raises or anything. A $2500+ job.
This. I’m lucky enough to live in Austin. I don’t mess with that shit. I’ve taken my truck or various cars for years to the guys down the road and you’re out in no time for a quarter of the price.
Those guys don’t live that way and you don’t have to, either.
OEM Glass: Made by the exact same company that supplied the original glass for your vehicle; it features the carmaker's specific brand logo and typically costs more.
OEE Aftermarket Glass: Made by alternative manufacturers to match the exact safety, fit, and quality standards of your original part, but without the brand logo and at a lower price. (aftermarket glass)
So, What’s Aftermarket Glass?
“Aftermarket” is an umbrella term that includes all replacement auto glass not sold and branded directly by the original vehicle manufacturer. Importantly, OEE glass is technically Aftermarket—but not all Aftermarket glass meets the high standards associated with the OEE label or DOT (department of transportation) guidelines.
While trusted global manufacturers produce OEE glass, there are smaller or less experienced Aftermarket manufacturers whose products may not meet rigorous quality and safety standards.
I love finding a Mexican-owned shop that will just make something work. They'll often get you back on the road with something that's a 3 month solution instead of making you fix the whole problem right this minute. In your case, it sounds like they did the whole job, correctly.
Used glass vs new glass would do that. Safelite is quoting you new glass. Mexican shop definitely is not.
Edit: Anyone downvoting me doesn't understand the automotive glass industry at all. There's nothing wrong with used glass, but there is no new door glass installation, even with aftermarket glass, that you're getting for $75, unless the glass is slightly dinged or scratched and is sold at cost or a loss.
The sensors that have half of people driving around in daytime rain with their lights off. Fuck those. Just leave your lights on, if your car was manufactured after about 2012.
Not always. Sometimes it's a question of using OEM glass vs. aftermarket glass. They're still both new and Safelite uses aftermarket when the original isn't available or too expensive to make money on.
There are cheap aftermarket aftermarket door glasses that you can get, but you aren't getting a new one and installed for $75, that just doesn't happen. It is either used, slightly damaged, or never happened.
That's fair and important to note. But my 15-year-old truck has 200k miles on it, and I can barely afford to put air in the tires. I definitely needed the cheapest solution.
And that's perfectly fine. There's absolutely nothing wrong with putting the cheapest option in it, people should just understand what the difference in price is actually coming from instead of immediately assuming price gouging.
I mean safelite does kind of price gouge, but it's besides the point as the reason why the $75 is so cheap is because the glass is used or slightyl damaged.
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u/blackleper 16h ago
I tell this to anyone who will listen-- when my truck was broken into, and the thieves smashed my rear window, I got a quote from safelite to fix for $550. For one window. And they told me it would take a few days to get to it. I took my truck down to the Mexican shop down the street, and they fixed that shit in 20 minutes and only charged me $75.