How do we feel about sunroofs?

Colin
By Colin Wood
Oct 18, 2021 | convertible, hardtop, sunroof

Sure, sunroofs are a great way to get some sunlight and fresh air into a car's interior, but how important are these openings in the roof to you?

Are they a decent compromise between a hardtop and a convertible, or are they just unnecessary holes added to a perfectly good car?

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/15/21 1:45 p.m.

I'll admit that I'm a fan, especially for a good panoramic that lets in lots of light.

I know it's another part that can (and probably will) fail sometime in the future, but I just think they're neat.

aw614
aw614 Reader
10/15/21 1:50 p.m.

I am mixed, I like the moonroof function and leaving the shade open or tilting it open. But I've had so many issues with drains clogging causing leaks in the trunk, etc. I won't pay extra for one, but if I have it I'll use it. 

But I do think I prefer the conventional sunroof/moonroof over the new panoroofs that are on a lot of new cars. 

Duke
Duke MegaDork
10/15/21 1:51 p.m.
Colin Wood said:

I'll admit that I'm a fan, especially for a good panoramic that lets in lots of light.

I know it's another part that can (and probably will) fail sometime in the future, but I just think they're neat.

I'm with you.

I'm not trying to shave the last few pounds off my daily, even if it is as high as it can be above the CG.

And any time the weather is decent, I run with the roof open and windows down, even if it means seat and steering wheel heaters are on.  In fact, I prefer that.

 

calteg
calteg Dork
10/15/21 1:54 p.m.

I know a sunroof is among the least used features on a car, but I use mine pretty frequently. Especially in TX Summer, tilting it open in the parking lot is a great way to shed a little heat without inviting theft.

GeddesB
GeddesB GRM+ Memberand New Reader
10/15/21 1:57 p.m.

They are great until they break, and it seems all of them eventually do.  I know I wouldn't want  a new F150 with one.  Whilst touring the Rouge Plant where they are built, we witnessed them being installed through the windshield opening as they are too big to be installed elsewhere.  With all the  little gizmos attached to the windshield it seems having to get one replaced would be a HUGE deal.  

 

Tom1200
Tom1200 UltraDork
10/15/21 2:03 p.m.

I think I opened the one in my Protege twice; my wife opened it every time she drove the car.

Driven5
Driven5 UltraDork
10/15/21 2:20 p.m.

They add a nice feel to the interior on street cars, but are placed too far back to provide any meaningful convertible feel. I've had numerous cars with them, and never had one leak or break.

06HHR (Forum Supporter)
06HHR (Forum Supporter) Dork
10/15/21 2:24 p.m.

I love them, until they leak.  In older cars they seem to all leak eventually, which mine has begun to do, horribly. And because of the leaks the motor has rusted solid, so now it doesn't work either.  IMHO Honda sunroofs seem to hold up better than most, never had a problem with them.  Nissan/Infiniti sunroofs (My leaky one at the moment) are horrible angry

amg_rx7 (Forum Supporter)
amg_rx7 (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
10/15/21 2:29 p.m.

I hate the glass roofs. They tend to let a lot of heat through. 

codrus (Forum Supporter)
codrus (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
10/15/21 2:34 p.m.

I used to think they were cool until I got a Miata -- a sunroof is a pale imitation of what a real convertible will give you.  Now I prefer not to have them because the small utility of them isn't worth the loss of headroom, additional weight, and potential leaks.

 

 

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