993 Needs a New Windshield - Recommendation in Bay Area?

[TKM]

Was on an earlier thread here today (my first post) debating whether to sell my '96 993. The responses I got were so helpful/encouraging that I figured I'd give it another try now that I'm seriously considering keeping the car.

So here's my problem: I have a cracked windshield. I asked the dealer in Mill Valley, CA to quote a replacement and they quoted $1500 (totally realize dealers are expensive but that price seemed CRAZY even for a dealer!). So I'm looking for a reliable glass shop recommendation anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've tried Yelp and other local "review" sites, but all the glass shops get hammered for doing poor jobs. I've read a couple of other forums on here that say you can use different model year windshields for a 993, but I'm not a DIYer and so just looking for a shop that does good work at a reasonable price.

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Halm]

I can't speak for your specific area, but last fall, I had Safelite (pretty sure they are national in scope) replace mine. I spoke with the store manager and asked for a technician that had done the 993 model before. When the tech arrived, I asked him specifically how many of them he had done and it was a few dozen. He did know exactly what to do, it took about a hour, as I best remember, and the windshield has been great. And no squeaks! I did it under my insurance and it cost me $250.00.

[TKM]

hey hal, thanks for the feedback. there's literally a safelite shop right around the corner from my office. it was unfortunately one of the places on yelp that got some unfavorable reviews, but approaching them and making sure the person doing the work has experience w/ these types of cars would be a prudent way to go about evaluating whether to do it or not.

one thing that's interesting is that they quoted me ~$900 for the windshield (w/ the atenna in it). did you install a windshield w/o the antenna or does your year not have that? just wondering why the crazy difference in price quote.

thanks again for the advice/feedback.

[Halm]

Yes, my windshield had the antenna. But who knows, maybe my price was negotiated by my insurance company.

FWIW, thwere was a thread on this over on RL a few months back. The consense of opinon was that there is just one US source of glas for our cars these days, so OEM glass is no better / different than 3rd party. Go wilth who you feel will do the best job.

[umfan866]

Sent you a PM about a possible glass person who either does it or may know.

[dan88911]

You might try Franks of Berkeley. (franksofberkeley.com). They did a great job on my 88. They were recommend by EASY in emeryville (easypor.com) also purchased the windshield there nice guys they have been in the business for awhile.