DMoore

I've been driving for almost 45 years, averaging 25-30K miles per year. I've made countless ski trips from SoCal to Mammoth, over roads that always seem to be under construction.

In all those years I've never had to replace a windshield, until I got my GTS in February.

Six weeks ago, a bunch of stuff (cans of paint, etc) stored by the previous owner of my house in the rafters of my garage came tumbling down. I had to replace my windshield, rt. front fender and gas cap door. The hood was repaired. All had to be painted, of course. While waiting for the car to be fixed and the paint to dry, I missed 5 track days that I'd planned on - 4 DE days and 1 AX.

Shift to today. I'm driving from SoCal to San Francisco for a week-long conference. I'm taking an extra day for the drive, so I can take my GTS up Rte 1 through Big Sur. I'd normally take the Panamera on a long drive, but the chance to drive the GTS through Big Sur couldn't be missed.

So this afternoon, just north of Santa Barbara (didn't see any 991's - rats) a rock hits my windshield. It put a 6-8" crack from the very top about 4" from the corner on the passenger's side. I won't be able to get the windshield replaced while at my conference. I was planning to attend a two-day DE/TT in Pomona as soon as I get home, so I'll have to miss yet another couple of track days. AAARRRGGGHHHH!

DMoore
'11 GTS (which appears to be cursed)
'10 Panamera 4S

Z06Kevin

Dmoore - Damn that's just bad luck.

Hang on - as with the 45 years of great driving that you've had - it all balances out!

And - unlike many of our fellow American's = YOU my friend, are one of the priveledged few that truly know why there is no substitute.

Your's in Porsche,
Kevin

w00tPORSCHE

I feel your pain. My c4s had a similar sized crack at the exact same location. Driven cars for over 25 yrs without issues prior to the 997. I do believe that there is something in the design or the angle that makes it vulnerable. That's why I now have clearplex over the windshield.

ADias

You have my sympathy! I hope good luck returns soon.

neuneleven

My crystal ball says thing are going to smooth themselves out. Take it easy, best of luck!

rodsky

Shoot! But you still have a GTS and a Panamera, so sympathy can only go so far! Here's to some good luck soon.

Edgy01

I wouldn't sweat that petty stuff. On your way back through SB exit after the Bird Refuge at Olive Mill Road, go by the Biltmore, and see some 991s!

Waxer

Maybe it 's not cursed at all. Maybe it took a bullet for you. Twice. That could have been you under that rafter and if not for that windshield...

JD911

My dad always said, "If you're looking for sympathy, you'll find it in the dictionary between $hit and syphilis!"

All kidding aside, sorry for your troubles. I'm 4 months into ownership and got my second rock chip on I-5. I feel your pain!

KNS

Cars from twenty years ago (including Porsches) had the windshield sit in a rubber gasket that gave the glass a little bit of insulation from road vibration, shock, etc. All new cars have the windshield bonded in as part of the car. It only takes a little bit of flex in the body for a small road chip to start to crack.

I've seen windshields on some older cars covered with hundreds of chips - big and small. Newer windshields never make it that far before they start to crack and are replaced.

TommyV44

Hey.....you're already driving 2 Porsches....I'd say you're damn lucky!!

All the Best,

Tom

NC 997

You do remember that old saying, "bad luck comes in threes.." Might as well put some cash aside for that third windshield. You know it's coming...

I caught a rock in the windshield of my new 911 the second day after I bought it - the two small chips are still there. Eventually I'll need to replace it, but I'm not going to have it done until they 'split', or until something else happens. With my luck I'd replace the windshield and a brick would fall off a truck in front of me on my way home from the glass shop.

sanyata

Lots of Porsche dealers in the Bay Area. Why don't you arrange a loaner and get it replaced there while you're at the week long conference?

seapar

The Clearplex I have helps prevent spidering and has protected my windscreen so far from replacement. Try Clearplex or the window film that Premier uses (diamond?).

DMoore

Thanks for the kind thoughts, everybody. I contacted my insurance, we found a glass shop that has mobile service AND can get the windshield, and it's being installed Wednesday right here at my hotel.

So it's a happy ending, apart from the $500 deductible. All things considered it could have been far worse.

To Seapar - is Clearplex a plastic film over the windshield, or some kind of coating, or...? Nothing would have saved my windshield from the first accident in my garage, but maybe it would have prevented the rock damage this time around.

DMoore
'11 GTS (victim of evil curse - anybody know a good exorcist?)
'10 Panamera 4S