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Hot take: I used to think cheap windshield wipers were fine, then I spent $45 on good ones | Hot Takes and Bad Opinions - Free To Speak

grant478•2mo ago

Hot take: I used to think cheap windshield wipers were fine, then I spent $45 on good ones

For years I bought the $10 wipers at the auto parts store and just dealt with them streaking after a month. Figured wipers are wipers, why pay more? Then we got a stretch of heavy rain here in Houston and I could barely see driving home from work. My buddy who runs a detail shop told me to try Bosch Icons. I mean, $45 felt like a lot for wiper blades but I was desperate. They've been on my car for 7 months now and still wipe clean with no noise. Kinda kicking myself for all those years of squinting through rain. Has anyone else found a cheap car part that actually costs you more in the long run?

3 comments

3 Comments

pat_moore2mo ago

Nah, I gotta push back on this one. I've been running the cheapos for years and honestly they're fine if you know the trick. You're supposed to spray your windshield with rain-x or that ceramic stuff every few months, then the cheap blades glide right over it and don't streak. People just slap on expensive blades without treating the glass first and think they're getting a deal. Plus let's be real, if you drive a lot like I do, those $45 ones are gonna wear down in 8 months anyway because of the sun and road grime. I can swap cheap blades three times for the price of one fancy set and keep them fresh all year. You're basically paying for the brand name and a fancy silicone coating that wears off after a few rain storms.

blakestone2mo ago

Ngl, the ceramic trick is clutch.

the_max2mo ago

Man I feel called out because I'm DEFINITELY the guy who buys the expensive ones and never treats his glass first. I just assume paying more means my wipers have magical powers or something? Like bro theyre just rubber strips they dont know karate. Last time I splurged on the premium ones I bragged to my buddy about it and then they started squeaking like a dying animal in two weeks. Meanwhile I got a pair of cheapos from the gas station that have been holding on for months just out of spite. Honestly maybe the trick is I just need to actually read the instructions for once instead of thinking I'm a wiper expert.