Hi, I'm new to the forum and I've been on the 06 list in my area for one month now.. Question I have is that I am seeking a drivers side privacy glass and one for the front passenger side. I do not want to use the aftermarket films that are available and my dealer says he can not get any from the factory. Does anyone have any ideas about where and how I can get these in the same shade as the back windows?

Also, does anyone know if the upgraded IPOD audio system will also have the input jack for other MP3 devices.

News I heard from Scion: I was told that the 06 specs/pics will be posted on 8/1. They wouldn't deny that the audio system was the only 06 change.

Thanks...

 

Hey there, Rebus, welcome to the forum and congrats on your decision. Having your front windows tinted is not an option, you will have to go to a window tinting place to have it done. Go to a good one so you don't have peeling and bubbles in the tint. They will be able to match the shade and darkness. Before you ask, the % is 20.

I am not sure about the iPod hook up.

 

Thanks much, I've been ordering accessories in the mean time. My last purchase was an arm rest from Zeta which has a nice cushioned uppoer lid and the thing is adjustable all over the place. It cost $188.

 

Just bring it to a good tint shop and ask for 20%.

 

I am abit skeptical since my last experience three years ago on my BMW. The material wound up pealing on an edge and there were some long slight scratches from the windows going up and down so much over time. Also, they never seemed to go all the way up the glass you know. They leave this small area at the top of the glass and it looks so cheap that way. I wound up getting the privacy glass and was very impressed. If the technology has changed over the last 3 years, then maybe I should read up on it, but getting the glass is by far there. Someone could make buckets of cash if they could figure out a way to serve people like me.

Thanks, Al

 

no manufacturer produces FRONT SIDE PRIVACY glass for any vehicle sold in the Unitied States (or anywhere else for that matter). They can't. It would be a violation of the FEDDOT's FMVSS-205 motor vehicle code. Any FRONT side glass darker than 70% would be illegal for sale in the country by federal law. Darker than that is up to individual states, but the feds rule what can be imported, not states. So.. short version shorter. The glass does not exist. The same law also applies to the rear sides and rear facing glass of CARS - that is why you never see a CAR with manufacturer installed dark privacy glass.

 

Thanks for the reply, I'm new to this forum and agree with your assessment. I've read in other posts that the rear side window glass is approx 20% tinted glass from the factory and not the 70% you mention would be illegal. Sorry about not understanding this and maybe I should have said tinted glass and not privacy glass? I just think someone could make big money if they could offer real front side glass that is tinted abit more than the close to clear we see now. Anyway, I will keep looking and pay whatever they want for this because to me the film solution is not an option.

Thanks again...

 

I just read your post, and see you ordered Zeta armrest. I'm not familiar with it, but when I went in to order my 05Xb, the Scion manager showed me the Boomerang, which is manufactured by a company in Boulder, CO. Here's a link if you want to check it out, my retail at Elway Scion is $130. The Boomerang has two CD storage compartments that hold 16 each, plus a small pocket for change, etc. Installs in five minutes easily, there are pics on the website.

http://www.scionarmrest.com/home.html

 

IF they could come up with a system - yeah sure, they'd make huge money if in the right market (some markets have to fight just get $100 for a film installation - and those are crack ***** prices - there, colored glass jobs would never sell for being to expensive) - BUT, in the right place (big metro areas)... wow. Then the big let-down is.... the coloring in factory glass on suvs/trucks isn't ON the glass, it's IN the glass. The glass was colored during the manufacturing process. If you break a window, you'd see the color goes all the way through the glass.

There are a few rare exceptions such as the reflective coating on older Silverado's - that was a coating applied - BUT, the quality was/is terrible and now that all those jobs are 10yrs old or better, they are all flaked and scratched and chipped - and there is no way to really remove it once damaged, so that's 10x's worse than a film (which is easily removed).

Now if someone could convince the aftermarket glass makers to produce "off road / show use only" glass... you got something. Doubt that would ever happen though.

As for the 70%/20% thing. The 20% is the darkness of the privacy glass on the trucks and suv's - the 70% is the darkest allowed on ALL front doors and the rears of cars (not trucks). Darker is allowed by individual states, it's just a fed thing (FMVSS-205).