How much to replace my windshield? Or do I have another option?

Ed_Collins

I'm very sad as I write this.

New Z owner here... I just purchased it earlier this summer. It's a 2013 model but it had less than 3,000 miles on it when I bought it, so it definitely feels like a brand new car to me.

I'm having lots of fun with it... until today, anyway.

Earlier this afternoon, on a drive back to Los Angeles from San Diego, while on the freeway a large rock shot up into my windshield from one of the vehicles in front of me.

At least that's what my passenger said. I thought it was a lead pipe! It all happened in a fraction of a second, hence the reason for our difference.

I suppose whatever it was is now irrelevant. But whatever it was, it was large and the noise it made on contact was very loud and it crashed into the windshield with a lot of force. It scarred the heck out of both of us. In all of my 36 years of driving I've NEVER had an object that size and with that much force any portion of my car.

As you might suspect, it left a small chip in the windshield. Actually, it left several chips. I counted about 8 in all, albeit some of them are very small. But the two largest ones are quite noticeable. The good thing (good thing?) is at least the chips are all directly in front of the passenger's seat.

To say I'm disappointed and sad right now is putting it mildly. I've been babying this car for the past three months like you wouldn't believe. (Well, you fellow Z owners might believe it, 'cause maybe you're doing the same.)

Anyway, what's the status on today's technology on fixing windshields? I'm not up on what can be done. Can it be filled in and buffed it out??? Or will the entire windshield have to be replaced?

I can't see myself leaving it as is... the chips are enough to bother me and take away my enjoyment of it, just knowing they are there. If this happened ten years from now, yea, maybe I'd leave it alone. But not three months into the car.

If I have to replace the entire windshield, can anyone give me an estimate on what a new one might cost me?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any replies.