I got a massive crack from a large rock a few years back and had to replace the windshield. I called 2 or 3 glass shops and they all told me that the only place they could order the glass was from Lexus directly so I might as well go through them. The total bill for replacement and re-calibration (I hate lane departure systems for this reason) was between $1,000 and $1,200.

Fast forward to yesterday and was driving back from a long road trip. I had just finished telling a friend who was with me about how expensive the windshield was when literally 5 seconds later, took a huge rock from an oncoming car that put a big horizontal crack in the windshield. Neither of us could believe the timing...

It literally makes me want to sell this car.

Anyways, now that my rant is done (thanks for listening), does anyone have any leads (Canada based, Edmonton specifically) on aftermarket glass or installation or any way to replace this windshield at a lower price than what the dealership will charge?

 

Retail on the glass appears to be $600 assuming this is the option package you have.
https://www.lexuspartsdirect.ca/p/Le...610124909.html
So $400+ for installation and recalibration? Sounds about right. Aftermarket glass is generally terrible with some exceptions don't know if it is available for your car.

 

Doesn't comprehensive insurance cover the deductible on windshield replacement, I thought even in Canada?

 

If you have carbon roof, I wouldn't use aftermarket windshield. That is of course if the car is still under warranty. If for some reason the roof develops a crack or something, the dealer can blame it on the aftermarket glass, they'd claim that it is part of the structure and since it's not OEM replacement, it's what caused the cf roof damage. Now, if it's not under any warranty or it doesn't have a cf roof, then I think safelite is an OK replacement. When mine cracked, my insurance tried to only cover for a cheaper replacement and I said no, I want oem. My agent helped me get OEM and then I had Exoshield installed over it. Exoshield is like phone screen protector material, so it's like a thin layer of glass.

 

That really sucks.

Here is my advice. All of my close friends who are in the auto glass buisness do not recommend aftermarket glass IF you have a heated windshield area for wipers.

Dealer glass has a proper weather proof connector for this and typically aftermarket glass does not. They have seen cases where moisture has ruined the cheaper plug and caused thousands in damage to cars.

Contact your insurance you should hopefully have comprehensive coverage but they may only pay for aftermarket glass.

Personally I’d rather just pay out of pocket for dealer glass and have it installed and not give my insurance company a reason to jack my rates. When I had my windshield replaced I did not bother with the recalibration either. I’ve had no issues either.

 

This is why I paid out of pocket the first time. It's getting annoying though. My other vehicle I just bought is a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Came with a cracked windshield but only $200 to replace out of pocket.

 

I know it’s not cheap.

I paid $980 CDN cash deal for dealer glass installed.

You should also check the availability of the glass. I’ve heard some windshields are hard to get right now because of the pandemic.

 

I was needing to replace my windshield in my current RC350 F Sport for over a year. I called 2 places I have used before and they got back with me. My son-in-law has a used car dealership and has a glass person he uses. My car doesn't have the auto wiprer sensor. They could find the windshields with the bracket for that sensor so much cheaper than the ones without. I got it replaced with the one with the bracket. It was not OEM glass. I'm selling the car soon anyways....and buying something newer and better :-)

 

good luck getting OEM glass right now, my lexus glass has been on back order for 2 1/2 months

 

Thats no good. I need another, I swear this windshield is at the right angle to catch rocks.