I have a 1989 RX7 (coupe).
Is finding a new windshield as simple as calling someone like Safelite, or is it Mission Impossible, the Search for 34 Year Old Glass.
I have owned the car since it was manufactured, I have driven it for +200k miles, and I just received my first stone strike. I apologize ahead of time if this is a really dumb question.

JWP

 

i'm not sure, you should just call. question 1 is like how much, and question 2 is do you have it.

 

I need to replace my windshield as well due to a crack that's slowly growing. Out of curiosity went through Safelite's website like I was going to replace it. Their cheapest option was $325. So it looked like they have one. Then on the next screen where you schedule the appointment, I get this message "We can secure an appointment for you today, but Safelite may call to reschedule if additional time is required or if the cost to acquire the part is higher than what we previously estimated.

I can't remember the company but a couple years ago S5 windshields weren't available but S4 was. I think the only difference is the tint around the edge is wider due to the auto seatbelts on the S5 and maybe the antenna in the glass on the S5 as well.

 

FC glass is nearly Mission Impossible at the moment. S5 was non-existent when I did it last year. Safelite couldn't get any. Tried a couple of other suppliers and nothing as well. Ended up calling Ray Crowe and bought myself new OEM S4 glass. The difference is indeed the frit on the lateral edges. It is wider on the S5 to hide the auto belt mechanism. I cut some ABS plastic into a strip and used foam tape to attach it and "extend" the A pillar trim. It works pretty well.

Rhinehart in PA usually has some glass, but I don't think they ship?

 

So, for Canadian cars, which didn't get the motorized mouse belts, S4 windshield glass is functionally the same then? I've wanted to replace my windshield for several years, but been unable to source one through several glass shops I've tried. Crack at the bottom, which I had repaired immediately, and hasn't grown, knock on wood, but likely will at some point, and it's getting pitted after 25+ years (I'm sure it was new-ish glass when I got the car).

 

I came here to ask if anyone knew where to buy an S5 windshield too. When I pulled it out of my 91 a few months ago, there were 5 available in the country. Now... Nothing with no estimated date. Good to know that the S4 windshield is the same with less frit and no antenna since I need neither. Its strange that all the moldings are still available new but the glass isn't.

Also, has anybody used one of these specifically. I don't like lexan windshields but if its all you can get...

https://www.plastics4performance.com...ont-windscreen

 

I was in at a glass shop again Monday (2 days ago), looking for glass, as my car failed an out-of-province inspection (I've moved), due to the small crack that's been repaired and hasn't run in 5 years (the rule here is no cracks in the area swept by the wipers, regardless of whether it's in the driver's field of view - I have to be focused on the wiper arm and washer jet for it to be in my field of view). For Canada at least, they show the same part number for S4 and S5 cars, so there's no help there for me, as neither was available, searching multiple suppliers for a national glass chain

 

I was in the same boat as you and called up all my local mom and pop windshield places and one of them had a couple in storage. I would try that if the big companies don't have them.

 

FCRX789, If you wouldn't mind messaging me the name of that Mom and Pop shop, I'd love to try to convince them to ship me one!

Noone that will pick up the phone within about 4 hours of me, has one.

 

Much to my surprise, the glass shop I visited last week (Apple Auto Glass, a national franchise here in Canada, I don't know about the US) was able to bring in a windshield for my '91 RX-7. The 3 suppliers they work with showed NLA, but when they manually checked, it showed 5 windshields in, but not showing as available for some reason at a warehouse in the Calgary area (where I moved from earlier this year, and had tried for years to get a windshield) - they took my info and said they'd have someone there physically verify it wasn't phantom stock, and bring it in if it was actually there. To my surprise, they called me back a couple days later saying the glass is here in the Okanagan, and I have an appointment to have it installed in a couple days (soonest I could get!). I'll report back on it when it's installed

 

Apple auto wouldn't ship me a windshield (or two) into the US.

I did find a windshield though! on ebay of all places. Listed as 1986-1988 rx7. Bought within an hour of it being listed. Fingers crossed that it shows up in one piece after paying double retail to get it here...

 

welcome to owning an FC in 2022!! haha

 

No kidding... It's also green tinted... I didn't see that before ordering, so that's something I will have to live with until someone makes another batch.

 

Unobtainium, obtained. I hope it never breaks.