Anyone had their windshield cracked and replaced?

[xpeed]

Well, here's my current problem. My windshield cracked two years back in 2005. I've been driving it since without getting pulled over and such. But during those last two years, the cracked been migrating toward the side and is now beginning to worry me.

Story: I was driving one day and suddenly I heard a loud *BANG* on my roof. I shrugged it off and kept driving and stopped later to check if there were any visible damage to the roof. Nothing, so I kept going. Then one day, as I was washing the car, I sprayed water on my windshield, and it was during the day so the window was kind of hot. Suddenly, I started to see a streak of line ripping through the middle of my windshield from the top and ended with a slight curve towards the passenger side, so I ended up with a "J" shaped crack. Since then, it's been getting worse.

Now, I was wondering. Did any of you guys had a similar problem and had the windshield replaced? I want to know if you got an aftermarket or Toyota OEM windshield. I know Toyota OEM costs more but it's simply the same with the aftermarket but you're paying an additional $150-200 for the Toyota Logo.

So how much did it cost you guys to replace it? I might need to do it soon now before the whole windshield cracks and implodes on my face while I drive.

[Eyekutr]

I recently needed a new windshield on my GX470, I called my insurance and asked them to fix it (since it happened on the fwy). You pay a deductible and they fix it for you. Insurance should not go up, now here is the catch, you can insist for a shop who will use genuine toyota (lexus in my case) w/s. You may not take it to the dealer but many of the contracted shops will get an oem w/s if you insist on it. I was amazed, new w/s cost me my deduc of 250.....have you thought of this option ?

[07XLE]

In Florida you don't have to pay anything out of pocket to replace the windshield (deductable), simply report ot the insurance company and you get a call from SafeLite or equivelent. Yes you can request the OE windshield as a replacement. I thought all states were that way but apparently not. Never had to replace the windshield in the Camry but I did in my 93 Passat when I had it. Wasn't worried about the factory glass then but now I would be requesting it, just didn't know that I could back then.

[-SCWEET1-]

Mike, it cost us 150 to replace the front windshield on the solara, looks as good as oem.

[Miranthis]

As for the insurance premium issue, that varies state to state. Here in KS and MO it is NOT a specially covered item so your ded applies and it can raise your rates as it is a claim on your claim history. I put 5 windshields in my 98 Camry over the years. I had a $200 ded for part of that time and the glass was $212. So, the ins co would have paid $12. :-(

[xpeed]

I've asked around couple of times at shops that replaces windshields. The estimate price for a OEM is $520 and an aftermarket price was estimated around $232 average. The only difference between an OEM and an aftermarket is just the logo tag on the w/s, but they're manufactured by the same company or method. So you're paying $300 more for a 1x1" logo. Cheapest estimate I got was $215. I asked why it costs more than other cars and they all told me that the windshield for the Gen 5 camry have different type of film and manufacturing cost. I don't know, but when I asked my dad's friend that runs a bodyshop to do an estimate for me, he also came up with a similar estimate and I trust this guy. Why do Camry parts cost so much?! >_<

[Eyekutr]

Originally Posted by xpeed

I've asked around couple of times at shops that replaces windshields. The estimate price for a OEM is $520 and an aftermarket price was estimated around $232 average. The only difference between an OEM and an aftermarket is just the logo tag on the w/s, but they're manufactured by the same company or method. So you're paying $300 more for a 1x1" logo. Cheapest estimate I got was $215. I asked why it costs more than other cars and they all told me that the windshield for the Gen 5 camry have different type of film and manufacturing cost. I don't know, but when I asked my dad's friend that runs a bodyshop to do an estimate for me, he also came up with a similar estimate and I trust this guy. Why do Camry parts cost so much?! >_<

215 is cheap dude, how much can an install get, my GX470 windshield (oem lexus) was like 1100 for w/s alone.