Used window glass for '89 745 -- good/bad idea?

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Jonathan - 21 Aug 2005 03:36 GMT

Someone broke into my car last night and smashed the side glass on my
beautiful and previously near-mint '89 745. The thief hit just the
smaller, fixed portion of the passenger-side rear window only.
Thankfully there was no damage to the padded window sill or seat
leather.

Does anyone have any thoughts whether I should buy new OEM glass or
try to find a used pane at a local wrecker? I'm leaning towards the
used glass for obvious cost savings, but also because I'd like the car
to be as original as possible, and an older pane may likely have aged
similarly to the rest of my factory-tinted glass. Who knows? Maybe I
can find another 1988-9 Belgian-made window out there somewhere.

Are there any safety/longevity/leakage issues with installing used
auto glass? I'll be having it done professionally; are most
installers willing to work with used glass?

Oh, by the way: nothing was stolen from the car but a $5 digital tire
pressure gauge, as I don't keep valuables in it as a rule. The thief
somehow missed the original TD-6141 Volvo stereo, the garage door
opener, the DEQ registration card (which is now safely in my wallet),
a few home-recorded cassettes, a very nice Cutter and Buck
umbrella...and even a few loose coins beneath the rear seat. Haste
makes waste!

Thanks in advance for your input, and I'll look forward to reading
your advice.

-- Jonathan

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James Sweet - 21 Aug 2005 05:03 GMT

> Someone broke into my car last night and smashed the side glass on my
> beautiful and previously near-mint '89 745. The thief hit just the
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> -- Jonathan

I'd go with a used glass, hands down. Where are you located? I've seen quite
a few of those cars in wrecking yards around me. IIRC that small window is
the same as used on the somewhat more common sedan models. Any year 700
series will fit, but for some reason I prefer to find one of the same or
later year.

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Jonathan - 22 Aug 2005 13:27 GMT

>> Someone broke into my car last night and smashed the side glass on my
>> beautiful and previously near-mint '89 745. The thief hit just the
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>series will fit, but for some reason I prefer to find one of the same or
>later year.

Thanks for the replies! If I get the time in the next few days, I'll
definitely look into trying to find a used window; otherwise, I'll go
with a new one, especially if they can install it on-site when I'm at
work today. (Working overtime, trying to beat a deadline, this has
NOT been the weekend to deal with this kind of stuff.....)

James Sweet, I'm in Portland, OR. If you're also in the area (or
familiar with it), I was thinking of places like John's Import Auto
Parts, maybe Foster Auto Parts. I was going to give Peter's Auto
Works a call this AM and get their feedback also (BTW, Peter's is an
absolutely wonderful service shop, for anyone in Portland-Vancouver
who's never tried them).

I'll post another message ASAP as to what resloution I've finally
found. Thanks, all.

-- Jonathan

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e - 22 Aug 2005 06:50 GMT

Try U-Pull-It on Sunnyside road out in Damascus.

>>> Someone broke into my car last night and smashed the side glass on my
>>> beautiful and previously near-mint '89 745. The thief hit just the
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
>
> -- Jonathan

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James Sweet - 23 Aug 2005 03:29 GMT

> James Sweet, I'm in Portland, OR. If you're also in the area (or
> familiar with it), I was thinking of places like John's Import Auto
> Parts, maybe Foster Auto Parts. I was going to give Peter's Auto
> Works a call this AM and get their feedback also (BTW, Peter's is an
> absolutely wonderful service shop, for anyone in Portland-Vancouver
> who's never tried them).

If you have time, head up North to Olympia and check out Pick A Part,
they're along old 99 near Airport Way. Good selection of Volvos and dirt
cheap, window will probably cost you 15 bucks there.

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Randy G. - 21 Aug 2005 07:37 GMT

Go for the used galss. it should be fine- after all, all the rst of
the galss in the car is used!
When parking in a questionable area I sometimes leave the glove box
open and empty just to show there's nothing of value in there. before
arriving, put any valuables in the locking compartment (with the
spare), in a door pocket, or just take them with you. I NEVER leave my
camera in the car.

>Someone broke into my car last night and smashed the side glass on my
>beautiful and previously near-mint '89 745. The thief hit just the
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
>-- Jonathan

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

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Michael Pardee - 21 Aug 2005 16:15 GMT

> Someone broke into my car last night and smashed the side glass on my
> beautiful and previously near-mint '89 745. The thief hit just the
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> -- Jonathan

I've always used glass from a wrecker. If tint is an issue, you can probably
have a close match made at a local tint outfit. If any existing tint is
removed and new tint applied before it is mounted it should be very quick,
easy and inexpensive. (If you have to mount it first the price may be the
same anyway.)

Mike

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