I have an 02 convertible non-hud with 130K which just had a cracked windshield replaced. My experience:

I called 6 shops, some individual and some franchise. All were around $300 for the windshield and labor and ALL said another $400 for the gasket which "would" be damaged during the repair. The smaller shops said they could not find the gasket or would have to order it.

I took it to Safelite because they:
1) Had the gasket and windshield in stock
2) Suggested I bring it to their shop where they had several experienced technicians who had done many vettes.
3) The specific shop has high customer ratings.

During the repair, from 2 and at one time 3 technicians worked on it for a three hour period. Part of the time I watched and chatted with the techs. It was clear they were being careful. Most had over 10 years experinece.

When I went to pay the bill, the cashier said she had to adjust the estimate. When she came back, she said the total was $300 and not the original $700 since they had not used the gasket. I went and congratulated the lead tech!

My lessons were:
1) I was glad I took if in to their shop (not their mobile service) since multiple techs worked on it and they really took their time.
2) They had the gasket in stock, and since they had not special ordered it, there was no reason to feel compelled to use it.

At 130K miles, my windshield was highly micro-pitted. A new clear windshield is nice!

I called my insurance company to see if I could buy a special ryder just for the windshield, and they said no. But what I learned is:
1) If the windshield is cracked and has to be replaced, it falls under the normal comprehensive and I have to pay the deductible.
2) If the damage is a rock chip crack and they can repair it without replacing the windshield, then they pay to fix it without regard to the deductible. So always have the rock chips repaired.

 

Sounds like just the kind of place I would want to do mine.... I would have slipped the head tech a $100 bill for saving me $400... they tend to remember that if you ever go back. Of course, a pat on the back and a big ATA boy goes a long way too...

 

At least get the crew enough money that they can have a great lunch together on you.

Also, make sure you talk the manager and tell him. Other wise he might never know.

 

$700 is insane for a windshield.....and three techs is ridiculous. I've installed C5 windshields for $300 including the molding (there is no gasket on a urethane set windshield), by myself in less than an hour. Not as a shade tree mechanic.....I had an auto glass business for almost 20 years.

 

Your experience sounds about right. I'm on my third windshield (03 Vert with HUD) It's $1000 with the gasket. After my $500 glass-only deductible it costs me $500 out the door. Worth it to pay a shop who knows what they are doing.

 

Same experience. Safelite just replaced mine this past December. They billed the insurance some outrageous $1k+ supposedly. They installed a new gasket and the HUD windshield was new GM original. I was glad I have a 0 deductible for comprehensive that day.

 

I've had 2 of them on my C5 racecar in the last 3 months (2 stupid mistakes...). Each was under $300 with the same molding by a very experienced independent (read: non-chain) glass shop. The big chain places include the molding by default in their quote as a default for protection against shoddy employees at various locations.