My front windshield needs to be replaced. The Honda dealer tells me that there are two windshields for my car...one is $350 (made in USA) and the other one, which is "recommended" according to my VIN is $850 (made in Japan). I have searched high and low to verify what they are telling me is the truth.
Does it matter which Honda windshield I purchase? Some dealers say no and others say yes!? How do I verify the price? How do I verify that is is really imported from Japan and not taken off a warehouse shelf here?
My windshield "stamp" says that it is manufactured by Asahi.
Thanks!

 

 

I just searched and didn't find anything in the Accord forum (even archived) about a 2003 front window.


anyways, I don't know, but I'd imagine one built in the USA will work just the same. I may be wrong, but I don't see how I can be.

 

i dunno the usa they are bad with craftsmanship


i would stick with the jap... you get what ya pay for

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91EXRMANUAL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"></TD></TR></TABLE>

Dude u seem to talk a lot of useless ****, i dont think anyone has asked this question before.

And hey to answer your question most Accords are made in the US so I dont think quality will difer at all, most of the extra cost for the Japanese version comes from shipping. Their wont be any quality difference.

 

I'm not so sure. I've seen two same cars parked beside each other, one made in the U.S.A. and one in Japan. There are differences.

If your car was made in Japan, VIN starting with J then I'd just stick with the Japanese windshield. Better safe than sorry.


Modified by sj993 at 12:38 AM 10/14/2004

 

aren't the parts the same though ? From what I have read the new Accords 98 and above are mostly assembled in the states, and have a lot of US derived parts used in them.

Im pretty sure that a company wouldn't want to ruin their reputation by using inferior parts.

 

Well just as an example...

I bought a '04 Nissan Pathfinder as opposed to a redesigned '05 Pathfinder because I liked the 04's better and I found the build quality was much better than that of the 05 models. Also the '04's were built in Japan, '05's in the U.S. Comparing the two I found the quality of some of the parts and workmanship just wasn't the same.

Now in this case, a windshield you might be able to get a U.S. one. Though honestly I don't see why Honda would have two different parts for the same car. All Honda parts I've seen are made in Japan.

 

just get the windshield made in the U.S.... because it's cheaper. you'll never notice a difference (if there even is one).

and that was a pretty ignorant remark, "the USA they are bad with craftsmanship". and it seems that you're jumping to conclusions in your comparison of the 04 and 05 pathfinders. you yourself said it was redesigned for 05, which would be my first guess as to any alleged issues with quality and workmanship. i can see no basis for blaming the issues simply on the fact that 05's were built in the U.S.

 

I didn't say the entire '05 Pathfinder was bad, nor did I say the quality was bad. I simply said comparing the two the quality level had gone down. Quality in terms of materials used, etc... Like I said earlier, I've compared two identical cars and there are differences. I didn't say the USA had bad craftmanship (if you were addressing me), but frankly from what I've seen Japanese cars in general are better built than their U.S. counterparts. That is just my opinion, based on my experiences. It's hardly an ignorant opinion.

 

my comment regarding the quote "the usa they are bad with craftsmanship" was supposed to be addressed to 91EXRMANUAL. and for some reason i thought your last post was from him. sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

blatant ******* rip off, "oh yea, umm, we, umm we got this special japanese window that will fit your car better, its made for your year"...well nice to know, consider the other one is prolly made for the same car / year or else they wouldnt be telling you. Just get the one here, its a ******* windshield, its not like there is too much technology that goes into making them, and im sure it will be a fine fit.. just make sure to get it installed correctly.

 

Okay...I did alot of research last night and this is what I found:
My car's final assembly point was Japan and it arrived in the US completely assembled through the port of San Diego. There are differences between the Accord assembled in the US and the ones assembled in Japan.
My windshield is Asahi and, according to the DOT- code on the windshield, it was actually manufactured in Japan... and of course costs almost $1000 installed. The $350 windshield is made by Aptech(sp?). The problem is that if I install anything other than what is specified by my VIN, I run the chance of voiding my warranty if there are any problems with the non-spec'd windshield and it could cost me more in the long run.
I am basically stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I file it on my insurance I am going to have to fight to get the dealer glass installed!
Does anyone know where to find specifications (material, dimensions, etc.) on windshields? Specifically Asahi and Aptech, so that I can see for myself what the freakin difference is?
Thank-you for all your help!

 

With regard to glass quality here in the USA. PPG is one of the largest and best quality glass makers in the world.
The cost of your windshield replacement should mean nothing to you if you have car insurance. Most insurers only require you to pay the $50 deductible on comprehensive. That is unless you have crappy insurance. I highly doubt that your warranty would be voided by a replacement windshield. They cannot void your warranty for any mechanical parts because you have a different windshield. The parts are totally unrelated. I have had several windshields replaced and I have NEVER had a warranty issue. Hope this helps!

Dave

 

I just had mine replaced by harmon autoglass for 203.00 plus tax in Arizona, the glass fit correctly - is optically clear, and took 45 minutes.

http://www.HarmonAutoGlass.com uses PPG glass as well.

your 'stealership' is full of crap!!

On my 2003 Accord....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2003HondaEXL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My front windshield needs to be replaced. The Honda dealer tells me that there are two windshields for my car...one is $350 (made in USA) and the other one, which is "recommended" according to my VIN is $850 (made in Japan)... </TD></TR></TABLE>I called a couple of glass shops around here to see what they said (saying I had an '03 Accord sedan), their price is ~ $250 installed and after tax, with lifetime warranties against leakage. Neither asked where the car was made.

If you're not going through your insurance, I'd just go the $250 route. As innocenti said, they aren't going to void a warranty because you used an aftermarket windshield. The only warranty issue I can see would be if you have trouble with the window leaking after having it replaced at a glass shop, Honda isn't going to take care of it (though the glass shop would).

 

I would like to give a HUGE thank-you to everyone for your help and taking time to reply to my post.
With everything that I have read, I believe I will go with PPG Glass and make sure that I have a lifetime warranty included from the installation company.
In fact, I will be using the company that my dealership hires to install ALL of their windshields!
THANK-YOU!!!!!

 

No problem, and welcome to these boards!

Come back often and just scroll through the topics, you will find answers to questions that you didn't know that you had.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Heat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> you will find answers to questions that you didn't know that you had.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Very true, kinda funny how that happens.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kavehman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Dude u seem to talk a lot of useless ****, i dont think anyone has asked this question before.

And hey to answer your question most Accords are made in the US so I dont think quality will difer at all, most of the extra cost for the Japanese version comes from shipping. Their wont be any quality difference.</TD></TR></TABLE>


well for some one who lives in a "Kaveh" you sure got a lot of **** up ur ***
... Us quality is terrible... why do they say its "recommended" that you purchase
your parts from the dealer. JDM... FI

 

get an education<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91EXRMANUAL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


well for some one who lives in a "Kaveh" you sure got a lot of **** up ur ***
... Us quality is terrible... why do they say its "recommended" that you purchase
your parts from the dealer. JDM... FI</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Roger that, the best advice here is to contact an auto glass specialty company. The dealer in your case sounds like one of the unethical ones. He'll probably offer fabric sealant for $350 too=one can of Scotchgard. What a deal!
--Mr. Haney