So what is wrong with tinted windows?

[austin552]

I want to get the 911's back and side windows tinted to the legal limit. Other than driving at night what 's the problem?

[equality72521]

I don't have any problems with it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Nothing. I have my 'Benz's windows tinted at 20%. It helps save the interior, looks good and at night when some assclown in a jacked-up SUV gets right on your ass and flips the high beams on it doesn't do squat. The auto-dimming mirrors help, the tinting picks up the rest. It's barely a nuisance. Technically illegal to do the sides but I don't care - only doing the back and the little triangle windows behind the door would look retarded. If I get a fix-it ticket, I get a fix-it ticket. Big deal.

[Aurel]

In New-Jersey, side tinted windows are illegal because cops have been shot when someone pulled a gun and they could not see through the windows. In general, when I see a car with very dark tinted windows and/or licence plate opaque cover, I think hoodlum or drug dealer.

Aurel

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yea, one reason I went for "smoke" tint, not "pimpin' limo uber-dark" tint. 20% is plenty dark, although most shops sell as dark as 5%, which is absurd, IMO.

With the bazillion-candlepower spotlights on police cars I doubt they have much to worry about. I normally put the windows down anyway if I get stopped - one of those "do everything to put the cop at ease" things. Windows down, ignition off, both hands on the wheel. I think that's what it says in "how to avoid traffic tickets". Not that I get pulled over much, but just sayin'.

[austin552]

Originally Posted by Aurel

when I see a car with very dark tinted windows and/or licence plate opaque cover, I think hoodlum or drug dealer.

Aurel

And your point is?

[Zef]

No problem there...idem at night...!

[lendaddy]

Another claim is that other cars cannot see "through" you vehicle at stop signs to view traffic. Imagine a car on your left and you're turning right. You need to see what's coming from beyond him to make your turn.

I disagree with it, but it's a claim.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Another claim is that other cars cannot see "through" you vehicle at stop signs to view traffic. Imagine a car on your left and you're turning right. You need to see what's coming from beyond him to make your turn.

I disagree with it, but it's a claim.

Drive a small car like an old Porsche in heavy traffic, and if ltos of cars around you have heavy window tint its a REAL pain as your view of what is going on is pretty much blocked.

That said, there is a decent amount of tint on my '84 944, and although its nice on a really hot day to not be sun blasted, I generally drive with the windows down, as I do a lot of night driving, or twisty turns that I'm looking out my side windows to see where I'm going.

[Tobra]

My wife has had several melanomas removed. Tint on all the cars she might drive, all around. This is technically illegal, but would get waiver due to the skin cancer thing. If I ever get pulled over, I roll down both front windows, get out my papers and have them in my hand. You will be talking to them, and they can walk up on the shoulder side if the passenger side is down, which to me would be better place to be on the side of the road. I don't want them to have to think about what "might" happen on that particular traffic stop.

If you are backing up at night, you roll the windows down too, use your mirrors.

[RickM]

Originally Posted by Aurel

In New-Jersey, side tinted windows are illegal because cops have been shot when someone pulled a gun and they could not see through the windows. In general, when I see a car with very dark tinted windows and/or licence plate opaque cover, I think hoodlum or drug dealer.

Aurel

Depends on the type of car but in NJ all but the front driver/passenger and windshield can be tinted.

Personally I don't care for the mismatched look of tinted windows sans the front sides. On one car I have them all done and hope for the best.

[Wickd89]

Tint is great. I have always enjoyed having tint on my daily drivers. Saves the interior, cooler interior, a little privacy when you have stuff lying around, etc.

Of course total limo-tint is pretty rude. no one can even see any indication of a passenger and therefore this can be an issue for officers to do their job.

In warm weather places like Socal and Arizona, tint is extremely benificial.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Another thing that looks stupid (IMO) is having a super-dark rear window and smoked rear sides (which is the legal limit in a lot of places, including CA). Looks utterly ridiculous, like the person couldn't make up their mind what level of tinting they wanted. The shop I had my MB done at tried to push that "style" on me ("hey man, get the legal limits! You can get darker in the back!") to which I said politely, "screw you - make them all smoked and matching so it doesn't look ridiculous". It looks MUCH cleaner and more "factory" that way.

Either match 'em or don't do 'em at all.

[p911dad]

I have no problem with the tint, but like Aurel mentioned, at least in the Northeast it seems that enough cops have been shot at roadside stops that it would be in your best interest to have the trooper be able to see clearly into the car during a stop. Like seeing you have both hands where he can see them, etc. If he or she can't see you clearly, you will be treated with greater suspicion and who knows where that goes. Your first strike is being in that Porsche.

[bivenator]

No tint on mine. Like the vintage clean look. I also have the windows down while driving 90% on the time. The only time I wish for the tint is at stoplights when the following car is blasting in the side and rearview mirrors.

[the]

I like the vintage clear, clean look, esp. on older cars.

I don't like the dark, cave feeling of tinted windows, at least in a sports car.

I do like when a used Porsche I am buying has had tinted windows, the darker the better. It does help keep the interior nicer. But I'll rip it off the windows right away, the last time I took the fronts off before I left his driveway.

[RANDY P]

20% all around will give you decent visibility at night, and basically will black out the car during the day - can't see inside my car unless the sunroof is wide open, even that's a stretch.

I would never tint a car I'd keep permanenty, after a few hits with the seatbelts and the inevitable fading it looks like crap after 10 years or so.

rjp

[Joeaksa]

Do not tint the rear window too dark or you will have problems seeing out of it at night. I used "limo tint" on the back door windows on my sedan and it worked very well.

The Targa dropped 30 degrees inside in summer with window tint, so it was well worth it.

[jcommin]

Tinting is a personal choice. My son has tints above the legal limit on his FX35. It's like driving in a cave at night. However, he has tints on on BMW below the legal limit and they are wonderful. However, he thinks they aren't dark enough.

Personally, I don't like tints. I got a good pair of polarized sun glasses that suit me fine

[aigel]

Keeps you from seeing what's in your rear view mirror, including CHP. Of course, if you always drive the speed limit, you should have nothing to worry about.

George