Do you like ‘privacy glass’ tints?
Discussion
I like them - good for keeping stuff hidden in the back, I also go for a snooze in my car at lunchtimes if I am in the office so it's nice for that - like being in a darkened room, although I've not reached to Boss level snoozing of a bloke that was in the car park in a Mondeo estate - used to see him climbing into the back on a lunchtime and he had a duvet and a pillow. 
I'm a law abiding citizen who's never been in trouble with the law. My previous car was dropped on 18's, straight thru pipe, dark tints and with a sound system approaching 150 dB ( competed in sound offs)..and I'm from Essex..when I got stopped first qu was have you ever been in trouble lol..even with my oap mum sat in front passenger seat. I now drive a plain shed with no mods, tints or excessive sound system and don't attract as much attention. It also got ridiculous as at the time as parents struggled to get in as was too low. This was over 10 years back so diff era but I'd much prefer subtle tints and mods now..and to not be heard before I was seen 
Edited by VR99 on Thursday 20th February 08:58
I've never bought a car with rear tints and don't like the look from the outside of a car but for those who carry children or dogs or leave stuff on the back seat I can understand the benefits.
I did, however, once have a car (Mk2 Golf GTI) tinted for a magazine article: all side windows plus rear screen (when it was still legal to do so) but ripped it off after trying to drive at night. Visibility was so severely reduced I had to drive with the windows down - and it was raining
I did, however, once have a car (Mk2 Golf GTI) tinted for a magazine article: all side windows plus rear screen (when it was still legal to do so) but ripped it off after trying to drive at night. Visibility was so severely reduced I had to drive with the windows down - and it was raining
Deranged Rover said:
As above, I think they are dangerous as they stop you looking through the car ahead to see what's going on in front of you. In addition, every car I've driven with them has offered reduced visibility out generally, and just been so bloody gloomy and dark inside; it's almost depressing!
They do make me laugh, sometimes though as, when added to a black car, they just make it look like you've bought the cheap commercial/van version, which I'm guessing is not the look people are going for.
For example, I know two people with LR Discovery 5s - one is black and one is white but both have tinted rear and rear side windows (as an aside, I don't think I've ever seen a D5 without tints, apart from Police versions). The black one is a normal HSE but the white one actually genuinely is the commercial version, however the black one looks more van-like!
If you stopped tail gating you'd be able to see around the car in frontThey do make me laugh, sometimes though as, when added to a black car, they just make it look like you've bought the cheap commercial/van version, which I'm guessing is not the look people are going for.
For example, I know two people with LR Discovery 5s - one is black and one is white but both have tinted rear and rear side windows (as an aside, I don't think I've ever seen a D5 without tints, apart from Police versions). The black one is a normal HSE but the white one actually genuinely is the commercial version, however the black one looks more van-like!
teDo I *like* privacy tints? No, I think they make cars look worse.
However, it is one of a handful of priorities when picking my daily driver car for the reasons many have mentioned previously.
In my case specifically when going on a roadtrip to Europe and having packed the car including the rear seat or shopping or leaving tools which don't fit under the parcel tray, it feels uncomfortably exposed without privacy glass on the couple of cars I've had it.
If I never put anything on the rear seats or above the parcel shelf, I'd definitely have a car with clear glass. Or all side windows tinted if it was legal!
Also not a fan of aftermarket tints (sticker film) - have it on one car for privacy, but it really looks naff as you can see obviously see it against the factory black obscuration band around the permieter (e.g. on the tailgate).
However, it is one of a handful of priorities when picking my daily driver car for the reasons many have mentioned previously.
In my case specifically when going on a roadtrip to Europe and having packed the car including the rear seat or shopping or leaving tools which don't fit under the parcel tray, it feels uncomfortably exposed without privacy glass on the couple of cars I've had it.
If I never put anything on the rear seats or above the parcel shelf, I'd definitely have a car with clear glass. Or all side windows tinted if it was legal!
Also not a fan of aftermarket tints (sticker film) - have it on one car for privacy, but it really looks naff as you can see obviously see it against the factory black obscuration band around the permieter (e.g. on the tailgate).
Super cool dad tints 
Last 2 cars have had them and I wouldn't want a family car without them now. Child seats are designed to restrict a childs movement once strapped in which means if the sun is shining on them it's almost impossible for them to adjust their position in the seat to make it more comfortable. Much better than one of those cat shaped stick on blinds as they really do restrict your over the shoulder visibility, especially on angled right turns out of side roads onto main roads.
If you can't see through the vehicle to look down the road then you obviously need to increase your following distance. Which suits me fine if ive got my kids in the car.
Last 2 cars have had them and I wouldn't want a family car without them now. Child seats are designed to restrict a childs movement once strapped in which means if the sun is shining on them it's almost impossible for them to adjust their position in the seat to make it more comfortable. Much better than one of those cat shaped stick on blinds as they really do restrict your over the shoulder visibility, especially on angled right turns out of side roads onto main roads.
If you can't see through the vehicle to look down the road then you obviously need to increase your following distance. Which suits me fine if ive got my kids in the car.
I had them on the rear doors and window of a then year old 2004 JDM Import Impreza (factory fit item in Japan) and my initial thought was to have them removed.
Other priorities came along and they were still there three years later when I sold the car.
Someone on PH later bought that same car, and I am guessing they were still on it then,
I had one comment about not being able to see through the car, but that's no different to following a small van with no glass in the doors or an interior partition.
Sheepshanks said:
GiveItSomeWellie said:
Agreed, I don't like them. To me it's a shame to see them become standard on so many cars these days, the first gen XF Sportbrake had them as standard and you had to specifically tick a box to opt for clear glass. Even as a no cost option, I think I've only ever seen one with the clear glass.
If you could tint all the windows legally, then I wouldn't be against it. Otherwise I think it looks silly
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The car without them looks old-fashioned. Maybe that's a look some people like?If you could tint all the windows legally, then I wouldn't be against it. Otherwise I think it looks silly
Daniel
kambites said:
I'm with the majority on this is seems. They look appalling but they serve a purpose, especially if you have children.
Electric blinds are better but presumably considerably more expensive to implement.
Having had a car with electric blinds they are crap. Pointless complication for no reason and although they do block some light, it’s not very much.Electric blinds are better but presumably considerably more expensive to implement.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 20th February 11:01
Couldn't give a monkeys either way as a used car buyer I'm stuck with whatever was originally specced lol, although my current dog car has heat reflective glass without a heavy tint to it which I think is the best compromise for it not looking like a hearse / limo whilst maintaining good visibility out / limited heat in.
I don't like them. I've bought a few cars with them fitted and have always removed them. It would definitely put me off buying a car which had factory tints which can't be removed.
They just remind me of chaved up car from the 90's. We used to laugh at those people with the blacked out windows and a Big Bore 4 nailed onto there Nova or Fiesta. It's strange how thing come around.
They just remind me of chaved up car from the 90's. We used to laugh at those people with the blacked out windows and a Big Bore 4 nailed onto there Nova or Fiesta. It's strange how thing come around.
SAS Tom said:
kambites said:
I'm with the majority on this is seems. They look appalling but they serve a purpose, especially if you have children.
Electric blinds are better but presumably considerably more expensive to implement.
Having had a car with electric blinds they are crap. Pointless complication for no reason and although they do block some light, it’s not very much.Electric blinds are better but presumably considerably more expensive to implement.
I'm not a fan, on my current car it'd just make it look like an even shonkier old Jag. I wouldn't get much benefit, I don't leave things on the seats, it's a saloon and the dog rides shotgun 
Refreshingly, my dad's R-Design V70 doesn't have tints, either, despite the shadow trim and dark grey paint. It's much nicer to drive a big estate car without them.
I have had them, though, and can see why people might want them.
Refreshingly, my dad's R-Design V70 doesn't have tints, either, despite the shadow trim and dark grey paint. It's much nicer to drive a big estate car without them.
I have had them, though, and can see why people might want them.
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