ultradave

Make that SCRATCH. Jeez, I registered my almost new RX-8 last Wednesday, and this yesterday morning had to drive to Rhode Island for work. On the way back in heavy rain a rock flew off the back of one of those semi trailer dumptrucks. Never saw it, heard the crack when it hit, but after I got back to work I couldn't find any scratches or dings.

Tonight after coming home from work (my wife drove today) we went out for dinner - there's about a foot long crack in the windshield starting from the top passenger's corner and a few nice scratches in that 1" wide strip on the roof. Damn, damn, damn. Four days with a new car. It's like there was a big bullseye on it.

My wife said I was taking it really well.... that she'd be in bed crying. Well it was more like a don't like to swear a blue streak in front of her.

Two Red Hooks and a great burger later and I'm not quite so hopping mad now. Could have been worse I suppose and the scratches will not be noticeable with touch up paint. You don't really see the top like the side of the door so I don't think it will show. The issue is going to be the windshield. I've had them replaced on other cars and the aftermarket ones suck. The last one I had had a "wrinkle" at eye level. I don't think this can be fixed the way they can make a star disappear. There is a tiny star in the corner but a 12-15" crack diagonally from it.

Bummer.

Dave

jdoo

didn't you get glass coverage on your car? If not, lesson learned I guess. Look into adding it, its not cheap but is really worth it IMO

ultradave

Yeah, I've got coverage.....I'm just fuming over the fact that I've barely driven it before something happening.

Dave

jdoo

Ya that sucks man. I got a dent on my trunk like 3 days after getting the car. My girlfriend says its so small and she wouldnt have seen it without me pointing it out but it pisses me off

CyberPitz

When I replaced the glass in my RX-7. it only cost me $200. Really, not that much, but I'm not sure how much "Glass coverage" is. Maybe it's worth it in the long run. But all in all, the windshield I got was PERFECT. So maybe you just got a bad one? :P

Learjet_Pilot

Dude, I know the flying rocks can't always be avoided (but the instant you hear tick-tick-tick, it's time to do something). I am in month #3 of my brand newness. You have to park out in BFE when you go to the mall, the grocery store, or 7-11. You gotta baby a new car in today's world as if it's a newborn baby. My only complaint is that the hood has water spots from me not drying it quickly enough. Other than that, I'm still pristine. Sorry about your experience; be smart!

laythor

It's the downside of owning a car you love, anything goes wrong and it hurts.

BillK

Most aftermarket windshields are just as good as if not better than the OEM glass, and in many cases the windshield companies do use OEM glass.

In other words, if you don't like the replacement windshield, make them do it again.

New Yorker

And the factory windshield is not necessarily perfect. Mine has a slight optic distortion; not enough to bother me, but it's there.

Endor

Mine has one too and it's fairly big, maybe 6" in diameter. Thankfully it's in the lower right corner in front of the passenger and not right in front of me, so I don't notice it much unless I'm specifically looking in that direction.

ultradave

Well, all that is good to hear. Possibly I just got a bad one. It was quite a few years ago. I don't actually have full glass coverage but have $50 ded comprehensive - figuring things like this are more likely than an accident. So it will only cost me $50. I know from having my daughter's fixed 2 years ago that if it CAN be fixed in place, it's free. Since it does have a crack coming from the star though, I don't think that can be fixed without replacement. Anyone know for sure?

Dave

ultradave

Looking at the scratches on the roof again, I don't think they will be too bad. They are confined to that thin "rain gutter" strip just inboard from the top of the door. They almost look a slightly different color anyway because of the little black strips next to them, and touch ups won't be as obvious as they would be on say, the hood, or big flat shiny door.

Dave

staticlag

take this opportunity to replace it with a lightweight lexan widnshield

ultradave

BTW, the car is just fantastic. It's probably my imagination, but it seems more refined than the '04 I had - smoother. It's not, I'm sure. I expect that's the contrast from driving a Miata for 2 years! Actually, I'm sure it's quieter in the cabin. My '04 had a rumble from the rear tires - which went away after rotating front to back. Came back after rotating again. This car has the same Potenzas but I like them better.

But driving to RI and back Wednesday, I kept having to watch my speed. The car sounds and feels the same at 55 as at 80. Look down and suddenly realize you're cruising at 79. Luckily I missed the RI state police (they're everywhere). I was behaving when I saw them. :-)

The heated leather is nice. My wife's Outback has heated seats (comes std even on the base model), and I've been jealous!



Dave