[brettzu]

So I had just put my bike on the roof rack of my Insight and hopped in the passenger side, with my wife driving, when she promptly drove into a carport trying to turn around. It knocked the front load bar of the rack loose, tipping everything upwards and back. the rack and rear wheel of the bike came through the rear windshield, shattering it. The panel over the driver's side had flexed up, breaking a few of the clips that hold it in place, but it was otherwise undamaged. We left the rack and bike at the friend's house we were at then drove home and cleaned the glass out of all our stuff in the back.

Now I'm going to get everything fixed. The dealer says a new rear window is $700 plus $150 labor and would take several days to order. This makes sense to me. The insurance company recommended a local glass shop that can come to my house and fix it, which is certainly more convenient. When I talked to them they said they could come out as soon as the next day to fix it at my house. I have a hard time believing that they have rear windows for the Insight lying around in their warehouse. They know the make and model of the car and say that they can do it right away, though. Is there a way to quickly custom shape a chunk of glass to fit the Insight? I can't imagine this would be easy, especially since the rear has the defroster wires running through it. My guess is that they'll get to my house, look at the car, and say they have to special order the windshield and install it later.

Anyone else care to speculate?

 

[AZCivic]

So this local glass company that said they can come out the next day, did you ask them if they have the rear glass for the Insight in stock? I don't see you mentioning that in your message. This is a rather important detail.

 

[Yves M.]

Hi,

No way to custom make a window like that (defroster, wiper hole, ...)

I had mine replaced in the end of december 2003. It was done at the dealer but no dealer employes touched the car. They have to bring a third party specelized in window replacement cause the techs have no experience in window replacement and even less on an Insight.

They had to order the glass and it took about a week to be received. A few hours to do the job. The car should not be driven for 24-48 hours in order for the stuff holding the glass to stiffen (I did not know that).

My car was given back to me in the next hour it was done. I have a skuicking noise comming from the glass. It is winter here so I suppose that spring will show some water tighness problems. Hope not.

There was a sticker on the glass that said: "Only the car owner can remove this sticker. Honda Japan". It is still on the glass, I am waiting for spring before removing it.

My experience.
Yves.

 

[Rick]

Dang, that sucks, not a cheap fix, but I would suspect they stock the glass at the warehouse in california. I wouldn't think they stock the rear windshield from that home service company either.

However, I will mention that I had my front windshield replaced not too long ago by GlasPro. I called them and said I had an Insight and wanted the windshield replaced. They had an aftermarket oem quality (apparently) one in stock wherever they keep windshields. They were there two days later with it and installed it. They said they had done a couple of Insight's before, mine apparently had the worst results getting the trim pieces around the windshield to restick without new plastic clips. I ended up buying all new ones.

But anyways, not so sure if they would have the rear one or not. I would suspect they get there and say they have to order it. Best of luck.

 

[brettzu]

I didn't ask them specifically if they had one in the warehouse, I just made it clear that it was an Insight.

Anyway, I had to fly out of town on business so my wife scheduled a time with the glass company. I'm still out of town but my wife said they showed up and replaced the glass today.(!) She says it looks fine. I guess I'll have to have a closer look when I get home. My insurance is through AAA, and by going through their recommended provider they guarantee the work for the life of the car.

 

[brettzu]

Well, the glass looks fine. Looks like the OEM window, and has the same sticker mentioned above. The only thing I noticed is the sound of a few stray pieces of glass that must have been left in the hatch frame and are now trapped by the new glass. I hear them rattling in there when I open and close the hatch.

Body work is next. I thought it was really minor and would just involve putting new clips on the panel above the door, but there is also a small dent on the top of the side panel just rear of the drivers door. The guy at the body shop said they would need the car for at least five days to fix it. Seems like a long time to me.