Cheapest Window to Break? Options

[Jeff73]

I have tried to get into my 73' for the last 1 - 2 weeks now. I was wondering if it would be worth my while to break the small side window to get in. I have the locks pushed in on the doors, and have pulled on the handle with no luck. The windows are not down far enough to get access to anything on the targa. The locksmith quoted me 65 just to show up, and then another 1 dollar a minute after word. I really think there is something jacked on the locks. Can anyone help.

[bob91403]

I have tried to get into my 73' for the last 1 - 2 weeks now. I was wondering if it would be worth my while to break the small side window to get in. I have the locks pushed in on the doors, and have pulled on the handle with no luck. The windows are not down far enough to get access to anything on the targa. The locksmith quoted me 65 just to show up, and then another 1 dollar a minute after word. I really think there is something jacked on the locks. Can anyone help.

I've got two broken door handles on mine. F**king a**holes trying to break into it. I found you have to turn the key several times while holding the door handle in place to get it to unlock. Then you have to hold the handle in place and pull the flapper several times while someone else uses something to gently pry the door open when it does unlatch. Or, find someone with a AAA card, they'll come out and open it in 15 seconds for free.

[SirAndy]

Can anyone help.

like i told you before, call AAA ... they'll have it open in about 15 seconds ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif) Andy

[Jeff73]

thanks, i'll keep ya posted

[horizontally-opposed]

I had no choice but to break a window a couple of years ago (had to sign a lease in 15 minutes across town), so I called EASY and Jim told me, unequivocally, to break the driver's side "vent" window (the small one).

Replacements are plentiful, and I stopped by on my way to the office and we had a new/used one in with NO problems after just 10-15 minutes of effort.

The only downer was glass shards all over the interior -- and I am still occasionally finding them years later.

pete

[mightyohm]

You guys are BREAKING WINDOWS to get into your cars???

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/alfred.gif)

I got locked out of mine once (with it running, that was fun) and AAA had it open in about 10 minutes.

[Jeff73]

AAA would be nice if I had it. I'm kinda stuck with paying the locksmith or breaking a window, just wanna go the cheaper route. The car has been sitting, so it won't be on the road until August or September (I hope)

[Jeff73]

Where could I find the small driver's side window if I chose to break it, and how much would it be?

[bob91403]

I had no choice but to break a window a couple of years ago (had to sign a lease in 15 minutes across town), so I called EASY and Jim told me, unequivocally, to break the driver's side "vent" window (the small one).

Replacements are plentiful, and I stopped by on my way to the office and we had a new/used one in with NO problems after just 10-15 minutes of effort.

The only downer was glass shards all over the interior -- and I am still occasionally finding them years later.

pete

If you do decide to break that little window, God forbid. Put a layer of duct tape over it and rub it down good. Save you a lot of clean up.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

[Jenny]

Jeff, do you know someone that has AAA? They just need a card carrying member to be present, right? So 'borrow' a AAA member.

Jen

[horizontally-opposed]

You guys are BREAKING WINDOWS to get into your cars???

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/alfred.gif)

I got locked out of mine once (with it running, that was fun) and AAA had it open in about 10 minutes.

What a fine, helpful, and friendly lot we are tonight. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) This 914clubber is obviously not calling AAA and I am just passing along my experience, good and bad.

In this thread and the other, NO ONE is giving him any advice other than "call AAA."

I didn't say I liked doing breaking a window -- or that it's a preferred choice -- and I didn't say it had a perfect outcome in my case. I was in a real bind. In hindsight, I don't regret my decision -- and I don't really care if you or others think it was the wrong one.

I have waited for AAA and other roadside assistance for 30-120 minutes in the past -- in the HEART of downtown SF. Like AAA, tools and/or duct tape weren't handy...

NOW, if the car were locked up in my garage and I wasn't in a hurry, AAA or a locksmith would be the first call I'd make.

The glass shards were a bummer, so I second bob's duct tape recommendation.

For me, replacement was a simple stop on the way to the office, but you're in WA and I don't know the salvage shops up there. I suspect that piece of glass can be had for $5-30. Any Porsche salvage yard should have one, but I'd call around BEFORE you break anything.

Just my personal view....feel free to disagree...

pete

[Dr Evil]

IIRC, the little vent window pops right out with a little coaxing. It is just held into the seal, the seal is bolted in side the door, not the window.

You can get one from one of the members here with a parts hoard, from Easy, from HPH probably. I would bet they are not expensive at all.

[jimtab]

buy or borrow a slim jim, any lock shop has them, or get a tow truck driver, never seen one yet without one give him 20.00 and viola!

[Rusty]

Most expensive window to break:

A dickhead in Dallas decided he needed my stereo more than I did. So, he tried to PRY the "vent window" open. He shattered it. Bent the trim. Glass pieces flew scratched the door. Then he mangled the dash trying to get the 99 dollar CD player out of the dash.

What a <serious expletive deleted>! The freaking passenger door was unlocked!!

Moral of the story: If you have to break a window, mask off everywhere that you could scratch paint on the exterior. Use a gentle masking tape or scotch tape and some sheet plastic so you reduce risk of paint damage.

-Rusty (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

[Andyrew]

Slamming the door really hard will break it too... but you kinda need the door open to do that..

The Window rusty explained is the cheapest to replace.

Andrew

PS.. Rusty, most of those vent windows actually work, but im sure you know that..

[Rusty]

PS.. Rusty, most of those vent windows actually work, but im sure you know that..

There is no hinge or handle on a 914-6 vent window. It's fixed.

[McMark]

I say go for the locksmith. The window is cheap, but the cleanup and reinstallation of the broken window makes it the less appealing option in my mind.

Pete, you made the right choice. AAA can open it in 10 minutes, but you have to wait forever for them to get there.

[blitZ]

I've popped the lock on a few cars with a coat hanger. Open it up and make a small hook on one end. Fish it down through the window seal between the top of the door and bottom of the glass. Try and hook the metal rod, which runs from the inside handle to the outside handle. When you find it, give it a hard yank.

Good luck with it.

[East coaster]

If you're really forced to break something to get in, forcefully lift the rear corner of the targa and the two threaded inserts will pop out of the fiberglass. Once they pop, you can get your arm in and lower the window enough to reach the handle and open the door. The threaded inserts can easily be epoxied back in. Lots cheaper and easier than replacing a window, but still more trouble than called AAA.

Oh yeah, don't ask me how I know about this method!

[pfierb]

Why don't you just join the AAA ? cheaper than the glass and mess you will make breaking into your own car.