[darkpuppet]

well, I did a bit of reading up, and the dealership called back..

Apparently, from the reading I've been doing, this is a very common issue with the new stangs... even to the point where the glass on untinted vehicles is getting scored.

Apparently, the outside strip is a felt-lined strip, while the interior one isn't. So even the most minute particle gathers on the pressure points (the front-leading curve) and scratches the window.

The solution is to install a felt pad liner, like automotive moleskin. Strong adhesive, thin felt..

apparently that does the job just dandily.

I honestly don't know why this doesn't get caught BEFORE there's a problem. Maybe it took me saying, "I think your tint guy is actually quite s***ty" to get them to take me seriously. I dunno.. But maybe the 3rd tint will do the trick.

Of course, the aftermarket wheels are also rubbing in some circumstances... I told them they probably should have installed a wheel spacer instead of grinding the cast flashings off the brakes ('cause now the front ones are rusting?!)... hopefully they figure that out. hehe.. if it takes a wheel spacer to fix the rubbing, I think I'll push them to replace the brakes they ruined.

Now if only I could figure out why the car decides to rattle less when I take the QA manager for a drive. I wonder if he's leaning on the parts that are rattling....

to be honest, this car is a throwback to the old stangs in more than just looks... The build quality is a throwback as well.