Windshield

Do you guys know what makes our windshields so expensive?

$1000 +

Didn't know they were that expensive. Wow.
Doesn't your insurance cover it?

jamie wrote:

Do you guys know what makes our windshields so expensive?

$1000 +

WWHHAAAATTTTT!!!!!!?????????

I'd assume it's a supply and demand. Riv didn't share that part with any other car right?

BTW..ask for lube before they install it.

I have bare-bones insurance. Our windshields fit from 95-99 riviera only.

I have since found some suitable aftermarket glass, but $450+tax & installation isnt very cheap either.

Isn't the Riv's windshield the same as the Aurora's? The back glass won't be but I thought the windshield was.

I had mine replaced locally for about $200

jamie wrote:

Do you guys know what makes our windshields so expensive?

$1000 +

You need to shop around. For instance try gmpartsdirect.com.

Albertj

I recently replaced the windshield on the 92 ruby red riv. I went online to www.safelite.com (or you can call 1-800-800-2727) and got a quote for $265 for orig replacement Solor Control glass. Then went to a local Safelite dealer in my area for installation. My insurance is $0 deductable on glass only if broken as a result of an accident.

Well, I guess my original quote was with OEM glass. Aftermarket, all the major autoglass places want $350-$500. One small shop said they'd do it for $250. I wonder if quality of glass is a major player in these prices at all...

Quality of glass is probably not a factor, due to the liability an installer would have in the event they used substandard glass. In fact the best deal may be from the small shop. You really should, however, get a replacement windshield gasket and alignment blocks from a GM dealer for this job (they are not real pricey but will add about $50 total).

gmpartsdirect.com last time I checked showed $100-something for the glass. BUT you have to phone them, I think there is a problem with shipping glass to a residence.

Albertj

jamie wrote:

Do you guys know what makes our windshields so expensive?

$1000 +

Wow. Shop elsewhere. That glass for my 68 Buick is only about $300 installed. Check local salvage yards if you have to.

If you get a windshield cash for under $300 it's cheap chinese replacement glass that may or may not meet safety requirements (windshields are made of special glass). I would only get glass from GM, but do shop around. Try monsterpartsonline. I don't know how they'd ship though...

I just looked at www.monsterpartsonline.com and they list a windshield for my car at $200.12 plus $34.02 for shipping.
I agree with Derek though, I would call to confirm shipping to a residence.
But all in all thats an extremely good price for a GM windshield. They also list all the little parts you would need for an install.
If the shipping turns out to be no problem I would get all the OEM stuff and bring to a glass installer, right down to rubber reveal molding (external weatherstrip).
I had a local glass and body shop replace my weather strip a couple of years ago with whatever they could get from the aftermarket, because it had lost it's bond to the windshield and was dry and cracked, and it started to come off again after only 6 months, then I bought a GM one from monsterparts and had them install that one and it has held up since.
Let us know if you decide to order new from monsterparts and how the shipping arrangement works.

By the way I thought the law required that glass shops use only DOT approved glass but I'm not sure. There may be other factors that contribute to quality glass and not so good glass. I'd still buy the OEM GM glass if I could.

If they will not ship to a residence, pick out your glass shop and ship it there. I had a set of chrome rims shipped to my tire shop. Saves you the hassle.