Cheaply replacing car window

Thanatos

So, some asshole broke into my car last night through the back fixed window (the back driver's side window is split into two sections, one that rolls down, and one that doesn't). I went to a glass shop to get an estimate, and they told me $300-$400. I asked about getting it replaced with just plexiglass or something, and she said "we don't do that, and you want tempered glass, anyhow." I suspect the only reason I'd want tempered glass is because they want to charge me $300-$400. So, is it possible to get a window like that replaced with something cheaper than tempered glass? Given that the car is worth about $1800, is there a cheaper alternative to what they're offering that's not as tacky as duct tape?

Kubrickon

That's pretty steep; I just had this happen to me last month and had to have the back, passenger window replaced, but it was only $250. I'd say definately go to different places and get more quotes; though the price may be wholly dependent on the availability of the style of glass needed for your car window. But for reference, I was replacing the window of a '91 Cadillac.

I'm willing to bet that they need to put in tempered glass for safety reasons, though I'm certainly not an expert on glass alternatives.

What you should've done is called the Police and filed a report, then given that report number to your insurance company. They usually handle it in two ways: 1. Get at least three estimates and they'll tell you to go to the cheapest one where you'd pass off the insurance information to the shop, or 2. Go get it done yourself and have the insurance co. reimburse you.

Either way, sorry that happened to you; it really fuckin' sucks.

Tash

Yeah, you should have called your insurance. I know with mine if my windows break for any reason (including being broken into), I don't have to pay a deductible at all and they fix it for free.

a penguin

You know how when they broke the window, it broke into little chunks instead of giant shards of death? That's because it's tempered.

So tempered glass is a good thing.

What about checking junkyards for the piece of glass?

Fats

They wanted to sell you tempered glass because that's what car windows are made of. There's probably some vague liability reason why they won't fabricate one for you.

You could buy a sheet of lexan at a hardware store and fit it yourself, if you're handy with a jigsaw/dremel. Not sure how you'd secure it, though. Other option is to comb the junkyard for a replacement.

Infinity Minus One

Plexiglass is a horrible idea for a car window. DO NOT do that.

Midshipman

You might be able to save a bit of money by checking around at pick-and-pull type junkyards as well as calling up auto-salvage yards to see if you can buy a used window. You'd still have to pay for installation though unless you have the right tools for installing fixed windows.

blincoln

My understanding is that for most cars, replacing anything other than the windshield is pretty pricey, because the other windows are not made in large runs by many companies like the windshields are.
You definitely want tempered glass, but I think you can probably find it for less than $400. Midshipman's suggestion is a good one.

BlochWave

As mentioned, if you got into a wreck and had like normal glass back there, your window would become a million tiny daggers

Arikado

Someone threw a rock into my back window last year. I called around a few different places. One "car window specialist" insisted on doing it for $395.

Eventually I found a place that did it for $135. I heavily recommend you shop around your area. My car was a 2000 Impala and it was on its last legs. So for sure you can find a replacement for less than a couple hundred.

RNEMESiS42

My car was broken into last week. I have a hatchback-like rear window, and they through a brick right through it. I called my insurance, and they said file a police report, and they'll do the rest. They picked it up and put in a new window for $400, but I don't have to pay for any of it. They're paying for my stereo shit that got jacked, too. I was pretty surprised when I found it it would be $400.

Doc

Arikado wrote: »

Someone threw a rock into my back window last year. I called around a few different places. One "car window specialist" insisted on doing it for $395.

Eventually I found a place that did it for $135. I heavily recommend you shop around your area. My car was a 2000 Impala and it was on its last legs. So for sure you can find a replacement for less than a couple hundred.

How did you have a 6 year old car on "its last legs?"

Thanatos

Doc wrote: »

Arikado wrote: »

Someone threw a rock into my back window last year. I called around a few different places. One "car window specialist" insisted on doing it for $395.

Eventually I found a place that did it for $135. I heavily recommend you shop around your area. My car was a 2000 Impala and it was on its last legs. So for sure you can find a replacement for less than a couple hundred.

How did you have a 6 year old car on "its last legs?"

Chevy.

naporeon

Thanatos, you silly bastard, why didn't you ask about this yesterday? I worked in a glass shop for about five years.

Unfortunately, I can tell you that you are in a bit of a bind. No licensed auto glass installer is going to put anything but tempered or laminated glass in your car, and since side panels are tempered, that is pretty much what you're stuck with. Even if you're able to find the specific panel you need at a junkyard, most places wouldn't install your glass for you anywhow. You'd be stuck installing it yourself, most likely.

So your options are to stick with duct tape and flexible plastic, or to pay the best price you can find. I can tell you that you're not going to find a very reputable place for less than $250-$300, and even THAT figure is optimistic. The issue is two-fold: curved glass is expensive to manufacture and ship, and good, long-term installation is actually not as easy as it looks (I would recommend a place with journeyman glaziers).

Best of luck, man.

Arikado

Doc wrote: »

Arikado wrote: »

Someone threw a rock into my back window last year. I called around a few different places. One "car window specialist" insisted on doing it for $395.

Eventually I found a place that did it for $135. I heavily recommend you shop around your area. My car was a 2000 Impala and it was on its last legs. So for sure you can find a replacement for less than a couple hundred.

How did you have a 6 year old car on "its last legs?"

It had gone through 2 transmissions. I was the 4th owner and I wasn't about to pay twice as much as I got the car for to replace a transmission.

And yeah, it was a Chevy. POS car with f'ed up door locks and bipolar radiator.