I have received two unbelievable estimates for the replacement of the front windshield on my Lexus. Anyone have a recent experience with a front windshield replacement? Thx.

 

I did a search on "wind noise" recently because my '97 has some wind noise in the windshield area. Found some posts about replacing windshields on these cars. Seems the oem is $1200 or more. PPG makes a replacement for less than half that, but it is said to be thinner than oem so some trim and seals don't fit tightly causing a fair amount noise. My car has one of the PPG windshields, marked as replacement in the right lower corner. I don't know if it is the windshield or the installation involved here. Don't know how much this PPG cost, it was on the car when I got it.

 

If you're on a tight budget and don't care if it's an OEM windshield then you should call Payless Glass in your area. With thier prices I highly doubt they use original equipment. They're the cheapest I ever found for other cars, but I never checked for a Lexus. They're quick for service and they come to you.

 

I priced getting the windshield replaced in my '97, and had quotes all over the place as far as price. Highest was $450, lowest was $230.

 

I have a thread on my replacement here. There are sooo many different grades of glass and you can do it to your budget. There are low end import glass and one look through them reminds me of looking through a soda bottle.

Buy it right, you have to look through this thing.

 

imho better option is to buy a clean used windshield and have it professionally installed.

going rate for a clean 95-97 or 98-00 windshield here in socal is ~$80-200, plus install.

easily my choice over any aftermarket shield.

you can use www.car-part.com to find a windshield near you.

 

I recently had a non OEM glass (Plinkerton, I think) put in my 2010 ES and it is terrible. Maybe $800 cheaper but thinner, noisier and much less tint than the Lexus glass. Hoping it breaks soon but had what looked like a golf ball size rock hit recently and it didn't break as I thought it was. When was the last time you smiled when you saw a rock about to hit your windshield?

Dave Mac

 

I have to replace the front windshield in my 97 LS400 because it got hit by a rock on the freeway. Both the dealership and my insurance company referred me to Safelite. The quote for an OEM windshield was $1,694.14. Non OEM windshields can be had for under $300.00.

 

Wow, that is a Huge difference. As mine is also going to be in need fairly soon of replacement, what is a person giving up for that much savings? There has to be _some_ justification of 4x the price. Quality? Thickness? If so, why don't after-market mfg's offer a choice, $300 for thinner/lighter/whatever, and say $500 for exact same specs as OEM. Patents? Doesn't make sense to not at least offer a similar spec as OEM for your customers. Kind of disheartening.

 

This thread popped up at just the right time for me. I'm going to also be needing a new windshield soon too. It's amazing how a tiny little chip on the edge of the windshield can grow to a sizeable crack so quick.

So I'm sure folks on here have used Safelite and can give some reviews? It's where I've been referred to also.

 

II replaced my windshield in my 99 in 2011 and the original was hard to see out of when the sun was in your eyes, so scratchy ... I got safelite for 254.and that included a new top trim piece AND I can still see thru it very clearly.... all smiles...............

 

the same reason other aftermarket components are cheaper than OEM, fitment, quality, and availability. of course most folks will go with the cheaper option, myself included even though i am an OEM stickler. i believe OEM glass has a UV protective coating on it as well but that can always be added to an aftermarket windshield. all aftermarket glass should be DOT approved for road use so safety is not compromised.

a tiny chip turns into a crack bc the windshield, like all OEM DOT glass, is tempered meaning it's pressurized to shatter when altered for safety during collisions and roll overs. ever notice the side glass breaks outward even though the projectile came from the same side?

also tempered glass shards are much smaller than non-DOT glass. check out a JDM car's shattered windshield, not DOT, HUGE shards of glass!

 

I had mine replaced. Aftermarket. Insurance won't pay for OEM.

I notice front wind noise, it's not terrible but I do notice it. I think the glass that was busted was aftermarket as well. So I don't have anything to compare to.

But after buying over $600 in sound deadening, the windshield is now the loose link.

 

I recently ended up running an aftermarket windshield.

Use whatever windshield you want (within reason)
Just use OEM trim.

 

Using OEM trim eliminated the fitment issue 100%? Mine cracked on the way to work yesterday (damn you 95!) and its spreading quick. Defroster and the cold weather of Pennsylvania is really making this thing move fast.