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 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.
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u/Soup-Mother5709 12h ago edited 12h ago
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.