Ok so this is part of the reason I hate SUVs ... the flying rocks! Granted it could have been any vehicle that launched it. Anyways, I was driving to work and a rock came flying from two lanes over and roughly 20 meters ahead from a SUV. Smacked me right in the windshield right above near the rearview mirror. It was a tiny chip with 1cm crack.

So I was pretty pissed the whole day and when I get back to my car after work. I see this BEAUTIFUL 20cm crack in a L shape! Guess it was from the car being in the sun and heating up that made it crack like that!

I'm thinking this will require a replacement. I did a search on people who had their windshield replaced and no one really mentioned if the RX8 requires a special windshield (I have the integrated Homelink and autodimming rearview mirror). Does it?

Here's a pic that made me almost CRY!

 

I may be wrong but I understand that can be fixed without replacing the windshield. Some special resign process that makes it look like new. Look in your yellow pages for windshield repair. You can get it done for about $50 I think.

 

Depending on what insurance you have, it can be fixed for free. I think it's called comprehensive...Just with your insurance. My mom had a window crack on her lexus and they replaced it a no charge. Her insurance rates didnt go up either.

 

I got the super warranty thing (cause I'm a sucker) from Mazda so they'd replace it for free...

sorry to hear about your luck

 

I don't know if the crack can be filled with resin once it propagates like that, but it can't hurt to ask. It's a lot cheaper and nearly invisible if it's done right.

 

I am more concerned about the friggin semi's ...I keep my distance from those "breaker 1-9"guys because they can hurl some friggin boulders in my opinion.............

 

Yea, obviously I would like to have it repair rather than replaced but from what my friends and my dad told me ... the crack is too big to repair. I'm crossing my fingers! I'm such a dumbass, I cheaped out on the warranty and I'll have to check tomorrow if the insurance covers repairs for free. Even if it's 50 bones out of my pocket, I don't really care ... just make her look good again!

But anybody know if the RX8 windshield is special with regards to the Homelink and Autodimming mirror?

 

The windshield is completely seperate from the homelink and autodim. They are built into the mirror. They will unhook the mirror from the window before they replace it. I had the same thing happen to mine, a rock hit which grew into a crack. The glass people said anything over 5-6 inches will require a replacment. Mine came out just fine (homelink and autodim not affected). Good luck with yours.

 

i've used a windshield repair kit on my windshield before and it does look a lot better but its still visible. it just fills in some of the crack so that it doesn't reflect so badly. so if your crack isn't blocking your vision too much or longer than 6 inches, you may want to try this first

 

The general concensus is that anything that can't be covered by a half-dollar (think slightly larger than a looney) causes the windshield to need replacement.

It's a safety of operation thing, so insurance won't jack up your rates, unless you have a bunch of simmilar claims.

But you do need to find out if you've got "no deductible glass". I thought I did, but I don't, so I have to pay the regular comprehensive deductible, which is $500, so when I had my Jeep that needed it's windshield replaced for the same thing that happened to you, it was cheaper for me to just pay for it out of pocket...around $280 if I remember right.

Obviously it depends on the size/shape of the glass, and I have no idea how much the windshield on the 8 costs.

 

I HATE flying debris!!! Sorry about your misfortune. I had a couple rocks smash into mine last week but I was really lucky that they sounded worse than they really were (only some minor chips).

 

been there done that, twice actually, plus an object that put a dent in the hood other cosmetic imperfections here and there. I have come to conclude that the rx8 is more prone than any other car to get stupid azz petty damage

 

As Blue87Sport said, the mirror/homelink is separate. Nothing to do w/the windshield itself. Generally speaking, the only time you have to pay more for a "special" winshield are for vehs equipped w/any form of HUD. For example : A windshield from a C5 that has the HUD option runs around $1200 +/-. (Don't ask me how I know).

 

That is why I ordered a set of screens for my oil coolers and A/C condensor.

 

oh wow thats a long crack

 

that's what she said! :p

 

Have the window replaced. It would be covered under your comp if you do not have any other special insurance.

I know that would have made me cry.

 

I new that was coming and may I suggest... expected! :D

 

I think that SUVs or anything with high rear bumpers should be required to have mud flaps to minimize rock damage to other cars. Seriously, why isn't this a law?

~ Matt

 

thats nice size crack. i hope you can get it fix for a good price.

 

I got my first chip from a dually pick-up that HAD mudflaps and I was following WAY behind. Didn't really help much IMO since I still ended with a chip and a $35 repair.

 

I don't think they can repair that large of a crack. I don't usually take out glass insurance but because the RX8 is so new I did this time. Last time I ws having a chip fixed on my window I asked them to bring up the price of a window...it didn't even come up on their system so I imagine that a new one wouldn't be cheap.

 

sometimes you gotta tailgate the trucks so that the rocks will fly over our cars=)

(being sarcastic)

 

Mine got cracked by a dump truck kicking up a rock, then split across the entire window. I have a 500$ deductible to keep insurance down, so i called safelite auto glass. they came an did a great job, for 239$

 

I had a small rock chip bottom corner drivers side. Cold / frost night, turned defrost on and watched the crack move across my vision as I drove. To big to repair. Not covered by warranty don't want to go any where near my insurance company.

The glass repair manager did ask if it Ihad the auto dimming mirror option. I said that I did and asked if it made a difference. I was told it does.

$ 700.00 Cdn tax in now I'm looking for some kind of Star Trek " Deflecter Shield " type technology it's cheaper.