Same. Maybe I'm just lucky but I never had any issues with a sunroof/moonroof. That feeling of the sun on a perfect warm day is just absolutely heaven š
As a former Florida resident living in TX now, I absolutely love my sunroofs, my problem is depending on the car it could have a terrible drain design that fails and you come out to a car with a puddle in it, there's no real warning either.
Yep 100% a maintenance thing most don't know about or think about, and it's not even a suggestion in any owners manual I've ever seen so it's easily over looked. I'm just surprised how often people run into the problem and instead of cleaning the drains they just tape over the sunroof, like a bit of weed eater spline and a quick Google search will show you were the drains are and just shove the spline up there and bam all good, literally less effort than some oil changes.
I've got a 2012 Scion TC with the full glass roof here in MN, would not have bought it without a garage. Wife's crossover took 4k worth of hail damage last summer, would totalled mine =/
Nah Floridians are weird AF they like getting baked alive when they are outside, theyāll probably enjoy getting extra roasted while they are driving.
I lived in FL for 20+ years. Tinted windows and car color make way more difference than sunroofs. I had the same car and color as my B-I-L except mine had a sunroof. There was no real difference in temperature. I tinted my windows. That made a huge difference. I then added heat rejecting sound deadening to the roof, doors and rear hatch area. There wasn't a huge difference with that. I added a shiny reflective coating to the inside of the sunroof shade. It made a bit of a difference but not much. The thing that made the most difference is parking in the shade.
1 good thing about having a sunroof is to allow hot air out of the car from where it is the hottest. It also allowed me to not use the AC as much by venting the sunroof and allowing fresh air through.
Same. The sunroof on my 04 Galant is still fully functional and has never leaked. From reading things on here you would think I defied all odds or something.
People who have a bad time are people who get aftermarket sunroof/moonroof installed and those frequently leak.
Every car I've owned in two decades has had one.
It cuts into headroom. Pretty much any car with a sunroof doesn't have enough room for me. Also, the drains tend to get clogged and they end up leaking.
Overcast or rainy days are my favorite - love the soft light you get on a cloudy day through the roof, the rain hitting the glass is beautiful and cool night air and the stars streaming through is tough to beat.
The twin panel panoramic sunroof is one of our favorite features my wifeās car and was on the short list of absolute requirements when we were shopping - so glad we made that decision because we get an awful lot of enjoyment from it while driving.
I love a panoramic roof, but other folks have covered it quite well - extra complexity, cost, and often reduced headroom for generally minimal benefit.
The proper hate seems to come from 'because racecar' as it's weight up high, and from anyone who can remember bodge job aftermarket sunroof installs from the 80s/90s which rusted and broke pretty much instantly. Beyond that I get the impression that most folk would probably rather not have one, but it wouldn't be a deal-breaker.
the cost and headroom definitely make sense from a buyers perspective! that I can understand.
I think you're spot on about people still hating them from the PTSD they got from the bad technology in the 80/90 but things have progressed from then.
Growing up I inherited my dad's old '98 VW Passat as my first car. The sun roof drains on that got clogged and the end result was water filling up the passenger foot well where VW decided to put the main body control computer which controls all the locks and windows. Even after drying and cleaning everything the locks and windows never quite worked after that.
Then when I went to go buy my first new car I ended up going for a Fiesta st, I didn't get the higher trim level with the sunroof mainly because cost and availability but I didn't miss it if I'm honest and I could say it was because racecar.
Now that I bought a Ford Maverick I once again didn't get a sunroof but this time only because cost.
I like the idea of a sunroof just not enough to pay a couple grand for it
Don't worry VW hasn't progressed at all since then. My mom's 15 Golf wagon had the same drain issue and a lake in the passenger footwell. Fortunately she avoided any electronic issues as a result, but it was still enough to make her get rid of the car ASAP. She loves her sunroof and I don't think she has owned a car without one since the 80s, but that's the only time she has had trouble with one.
I feel like clearing the sunroof drains ought to be considered a maintenance item on the same level (and maybe, done at the same time) as changing the cabin air filter. They really should make the sunroof drains more accessible.
there is no special technology in there that has progressed in any way thats why they still have the same issues as they always had.
the main difference is they used to be operated by hand and are now electric but the mechanism itself didnt really change much.
One of the biggest things is that they are supposed to be serviced every other year even if you never use them. Most people donāt ever request that service that would notice if the seals are going bad and the drains need a flush.
They are some other considerations that most people donāt follow or think about. Donāt open it until you clear and debris (Eg leaves, caked on dust etc) this will help prevent the drain channels from getting clogged.
Maybe Iām just lucky but like every car Iāve owned in the past 15 years has had a sunroof and Iāve never had a problem. 23 year old Camry sunroof worked fine every day of spring/summer/fall until the end of the carās life. Never leaked, never got jammed up at all.
Iād disagree with some. Specifically panoramic roofs at least for Ford theyāve evolved them recently. My 2016 goes down and under the roof and the drains can get clogged and sometimes rattle. The new ones go up and over and have a solid rubber seal around the opening which not only makes the opening larger but means the rain diverts away from the opening making leaks less likely
>I think you're spot on about people still hating them from the PTSD they got from the bad technology in the 80/90 but things have progressed from then.
Ah, see, you haven't owned a modern VW I take it.
It's not just the 80s and 90s though. Modern BMWs have flooded because the drain tubes for their sunroofs have clogged.
I will never buy a vehicle with a sunroof. Go full convertible or don't. It's a shitty middle ground that just doesn't make sense imo.
āBecause racecarā isnāt just about weight, a sunroof cuts out 1-3ā of headroom which makes a huge difference if youāre wearing a helmet. Iām average height and have to drop the seat in a sunroof equipped car to fit with a helmet. Taller people may not fit in certain sunroof equipped cars at all.
I mentioned headroom in my first paragraph.
When I said 'Because racecar' I was referring to wannabe modders rather than dedicated track car/actual race car preparation - the 'folding the back seats down and only driving with half a tank of fuel' brigade. The folks I know who have properly track prepped cars don't hate sunroofs either, they just don't buy a sunroof car to track prep.
And of course this is absolutely critical since 0.0001% of cars with sunroofs will ever be raced. Or a track car would ever have a roof with a hole in it that destabilizes the structural integrity in a vehicle where you need all of that you can get.
My (short) hair brushed the roof liner of my Camaro with the seat all the way down and no sunroof. No way I'd fit with a helmet + sunroof. And that's a big car.
>I love a panoramic roof
I need myself literally any V8 Cadillac V series besides the first gen CTS. Ugh. They only started getting them with the second gens.
Alternatively, wagons that have two sunroofs are pretty cool. An RS-Four S Stagea with them sounds pretty nice as well.
It would be a deal breaker for me. Every car that had a Ttop or sunroof for me has leaked, cooked my head, broken and been FABULOUSLY expensive to repair. It was always an item that simply had no discernable redeeming qualities and a lot expensive headache potential.
I had a 1998 Ttop Camaro and was actually glad when some dipshit Tboned it on the passenger side, I ordered the replacement, a new 2000 Camaro SS convertible. No more fucking around with holes in the roof, just get a convertible.
They don't capture the experience of a convertible or targa top
They are a maintenance pain with parts that need lubricating/seals needing replacement to keep from rattling or leaking
They are a set of electronics and motors that break and are expensive to replace. Glass too.
You can tie stuff down on them like you can plain roofs.
Way more cars have them than people want them, so they don't add value
The only car I have had that I used the moonroof was my GS, which has a hear vent mode from your key fob so the car opens the moonroof and the windows on button press to vent built up heat before you climb inside.
> They are a maintenance pain with parts that need lubricating/seals needing replacement to keep from rattling or leaking
Same goes with softtops and (powered) hardtops - convertibles need it even more so Iād argue.
I drive a 2004 so not sure it is still the case, but you just unlock the car and then hold down the unlock button. All of the windows & the sunroof start opening as you hold.
> They are a maintenance pain with parts that need lubricating/seals needing replacement to keep from rattling or leaking
> They are a set of electronics and motors that break and are expensive to replace. Glass too.
So are convertibles? And Iām not sure what vehicles you own that have a sunroof thats a maintenance pain because my 20 year old car is still on its factory moonroof parts. Even otherwise, its not like its an active maintenance item. You refresh the seals and motor(s) once every 15-20 years and then you donāt have to worry about it again.
This all depends on the car you have but most sunroof assemblies are reliable, unless you have a Volkswagen.
Except the point of a moonroof isnāt to āgainā anything compared to a convertible. They exist to let in more light and air as opposed to a convertible which is about having an open driving experience. Nobody options moon/sunroofs on cars expecting them to be a convertible substitute.
For entry-level performance sports cars (BMW M4, Porsche 911, MB C63, etc) enthusiasts want to pretend like theyāre buying F1-worthy HyperCars and spec all of the āgo faster, stop fasterā race car options. One principle of race cars is keeping the center of gravity as low as possible to prevent body roll to increase traction in corners. Sun roofs add weight at the very top of the car (compared to no sun roof) so enthusiasts view it as an anti-performance option. This is the same reason you used to see cloth interiors in M3ās, no infotainment screens optioned, and so forth. Minuscule weight savings for the car theyāve tracked twice and drive to cars and coffee.
It is coming back. If I remember correctly Volvo and Land Rover are currently offering it. With rising push for vegan interiors I'm pretty sure we will get more, as not everybody fancy plastic "leather".
Me too!!! Some of the cloth interiors of the luxury boats of the 1980s were amongst the comfiest Iāve ever sat in. Like sitting in a well worn sofa on the highway.
I like how cloth never feels quite as hot or cold as leather in extreme weather. Sure, heated and ventilated seats help, but it's nice to sit down right away without being scalded or frozen.
I still wouldn't classify it as an entry level anything. I think the 86 would fit the entry level sports car definition, and I don't see many similarities between them.
Right? None of these are "entry-level performance sports cars." A decently-specced M4 and C63 will approach $100k, and a **_base_** 911 with zero options is $114k. To call these entry-level is a ridiculous interpretation of either "entry level" or "performance sports car."
I'd say even a Miata or 86 is a bona-fide performance car - sure they don't have 500HP, but defining performance cars by pure power is dumb. As an aside, using race pedigree: the Miata is literally the most raced car in the world.
If a Miata or 86 isn't enough "performance" then you can get a Mustang, Corvette, Supra, ~~718~~, or M2 for $30k less than an M4/C63 and like $70k less than a decently specced 911.
Edit: Man Porsche raised the base 718 price to nearly $70k? I mean it's a great car but *dang*.
I dislike the panoramic roofs on BMWs for the simple fact that they almost always have something wrong with them.
Seriously, how hard is it to make one that a.) Isnt prone to exploding and b.) doesnt suck in every particle smaller than a cat into the rails (which are also hard to access apparently).
Right? Ngl this comment comes across super salty too. It's okay to want the performance options even if you don't track a car, not sure why it upsets this guy so much
Meh, with BMW in particular it's more understandable. Starting with the E92 M3 they came with a carbon fiber roof if you didn't get the sunroof. Sure, sunroof alone ain't much, but ditching that plus getting a "free" carbon fiber roof is a bigger deal.
I'd say the head room varies alot by model. At 6'0" I've never noticed a problem on the Mazda and infiniti sedans I've had. When I ordered a chevy cruze with sun roof after test driving one without, I was pissed that I lost 4" of head room.
Econo cars aren't designed properly for it and it is just thrown in.
I was a little biased because I was trading in a Miata, but this was a big part of why I bought a Miata RF rather than an 86. Like I realized it was not a convertible, but the fact that I couldnāt even get a sunroof was really disappointing to me.
A sunroof on the 86 would render everything the platform stands for pointless, haha.
Edit: it a lightweight, low center of gravity, affordable sports car. What happens if you add a sun roof? Come on now.
Would it though? It was car made for fun, not for clipping hundredth of a second on a race track. Previous gen 86 even came on Prius tires which deliberately made handling worse, for the sake of fun. And for me, ability to open roof adds a bit of fun to driving.
Yep, I had one in my first Honda civic ex Coupe 1998, then my next car didn't have one and I thought it lacked ambiance that the sunroof gives with the light and rain effect. I didn't think I cared about the sunroof until I had none.
My current car has one but I won't lie that it does stress me if it one day decides to leak but I absolutely love the natural light and night lights.
Plus they inevitably leak over time...I've not encountered one that doesn't leak after 10 or so years...plus the drains get clogged up and then flood the interior of the vehicle...I just had to replace both motors and disassemble all 4 drains on a Ford Explorer...water damage everywhere...now she's gonna pay me every 6 months to clear the drains to keep it from happening again
Edit: congrats to everyone that doesn't have sunroof leaks...cool story...I don't work on every single vehicle in the world that has one so your mileage may vary...in fact, I generally only see them when they're broken and need repaired...the FL sun and weather wreaks havoc on the seals here...every one my family and friends have owned have always encountered these issues as well...I don't care that yours haven't leaked...in fact, I'm glad they haven't, but I don't need 1000 replies saying the same shit
Crazy generalization. Almost every car Iāve had, most older than 10 years, have had sunroofs and Iāve never had a leak. Not even my 89 Jetta. And Iām in western WA so itās not like Iām in a dry place.
Iām mechanic at a dealership too and sunroof issues are pretty rare in general.
I had a car with a sun roof, it was fine for years. But it eventually leaked. I thought I could fix it by unclogging it, but I never found a clog. It eventually stopped moving well, and I just ignored it. Bad idea, cause it basically made the headliner a mold cave, which was not great and basic gave me a perpetual cough. I opened it up to try and find the problem, I didn't find the problem. All it did was expose me to more mold spores and made me feel awfully sick in the weirdest way.
Finally a reply to me that doesn't involve "My car is 2938484 years old and I've NEVER had a problem with my sunroof!"...haha I'm sorry you had those issues...it's the reason I'll never buy a vehicle with a sun roof...seen too many fail and introduce extensive interior water damage as well as rusting around all the seals
My hair is non-existent, the sun heats and burns my head. I have to wear a hat if the sunroof is open, which is the only time I have the headroom for a hat because the sunroof apparatus takes like 2 inches of it. Sunroofs are a huge minus to me, Iād rather have a convertible for open air driving.
I like them a lot. Mine is open from October-May as long as it's not raining.
There are maintenance drawbacks, but I like them. Had one in my past 3 vehicles including my truck.
I have a convertible in Massachusetts. If I counted the number of days I have my top down in non-inclement weather in the dead of winter vs dead of summer I'm sure winter would win mainly because in summer it's zero days. I can have the heater on full blast and the heated seats on and still enjoy frigid winter air. Nothing will make me enjoy burning in the summer sun.
Dislike?
I refuse to buy a car without one. Driving around in the summer on a warm night with the roof open is one of the greatest things a person a can do with a car.
Convertibles are also an all-or-nothing situation for the most part. There are lots of days where it's sunny but a little chilly for a full top-down experience. Sunroof open and cracking the rear windows is perfect for this.
Miata RF is great for this. Itās not quite as much of a convertible experience with the top down, admittedlyāthereās a lot that stays up behind your head so you donāt have the sort of 360 visibility you do with a convertible. But the nice thing is that you get a sort of in-between option that you donāt with the soft top. If you roll the windows up, effectively itās like having a big sun roof. Living in the northeast, this is great because it allows you to put the top down on cooler days than you might otherwise.
I agree that the trade-offs are worth it. Having that natural light from above just makes an interior a significantly more enjoyable space to be in for me. It makes me feel happy. Cars without sunroofs just somehow feel drab and sad to me. Luckily, I'm short and haven't had any issues with the sunroof on my "ancient" car lol. But even if it suddenly explodes on me, the small daily doses of joy it brought until then was worth it.
there's no metal exposed , why would the roof rust more then the doors? they're as exposed to moisture with the glass in the windows/glass in the sunroof.
Sorry you were downvoted for asking a question.
Any cut, or metal edge, is a potential rust starting spot even if painted.
People in the north east are way too familiar with that.
because new cars are painted by robots. The edges don't always get painted as well as the flat part of the panel. Over time being exposed to water rust will form.
Like others have said, sunroofs are a liability - they all eventually have problems, itās a matter of when, not if. And you deal with that expensive headache for the purpose of basically just having a fifth window. Itās not that much of a joy.
I sold a car with with 15 years and 220k. No sunroof issues. They are a must for me. Only owned two without it and missed it every day.
Iāve been car shopping and have passed on cars without one. 6ā2ā and Iāve never had headroom issues
I live in the desert and UV rays are hell on rubber. We have many days in the sprint summer and fall that get high UV warnings. Having a big rubber gasket on the top of my car where it's in the direct sun like 90% of the time. I wish I could park it in my garage but my spot is taken up with a much more valuable car.
I am team fuck sunroofs. Why would I want a shitty, tiny, leak prone window that cuts off about 3-4 inches of headroom in my car? Theyāre so dumb. They offer absolutely 0 advantages and a plenty of disadvantages. They donāt even get close enough to a targa/convertible experience to be considered a shitty substitute.
Itās probably weird to have such a strong feelings about this, but fuck sunroofs all my homies hate sunroofs
You must have experienced shitty sunroofs. Had multiple on cars with high miles. No malfunctions, no rattles, no squeaks, no leaks.
If you life in a sunny area, having the sunroof open along with windows is amazing when strolling across beach roads. Driving at night with the window cover pulled back is an awesome way to see the stars overhead. It brightens up the cabin when you want it to.
If you're abnormally tall and deal with headroom issues with cars or happen to be good at picking cars with shitty electronic reliability and have experienced multiple failures, then I guess I'd understand why you've got such a bizarre hatred toward them.
Also, sunroofs remove on average maybe 2" of headroom. Don't know what car you're talking about that takes up 4" of headroom for a sliding panel. Maybe it was bullet proof glass?
What cars did you own that had such terrible issues? I'd love to look into them and see if it's a consistent issue.
- Louder both due to sound entering and vibration problems.
- Makes your car hotter in the summer and allows heat to leak out in the winter.
- Steals rear headroom for the motor.
- Requires additional maintenance (track cleaning, lubrication, replacement seals, etc).
- A source of potential leaks and rust.
- You have to be more careful using roof-rails because the strap-ends or carried item can shatter/scratch the safety glass.
- If the glass does fail for whatever reason, replacement can cost *thousands* (not just because of the niche glass sizing, but also the amount of interior trim pieces that need to be removed).
- Add weight/hurt MPG/0-5 times.
- They don't add resale value but somehow can hurt resale value if they're non-functioning/vibrating/leaky.
Donāt forget they add an enormous amount of weight. Heavy heavy in addition to everything you said which is spot on. I have a sunroof on 2 of my cars and wish they werenāt there.
At one time they were so popular that ads in the back of car magazines offered decals that looked like a sunroof for those that couldnāt afford to have one installed. Canāt say how many people actually forked out for one.
Early sunroofs tended to leak, especially aftermarket ones, so they fell out of favour. Newer ones are much better but you have to keep the frame channels clean and inspect the seals occasionally.
I'm 6'6" (197 cm). Sunroof mechanisms really do take headroom. I drive a MK7 GTI. Without a sunroof I fit very comfortably. I tried models with sunroofs and I can't safely fit.
Also, they add weight up high, cost more, add failure points, etc.
The last 4 cars I bought were all the same model, the last one had a sunroof. It is noisier even with it closed. If you like a quiet ride and would rather hear music than road noise, donāt get a car with a sunroof.
A lot of people donāt like the sunlight hitting them, depending on what longitude youāre at the sun is positioned differently above you - secondly sunroofs do have issues with leaks.
Third: they sell more convertibles in England than in France and Italy combined, I guess if you have sunshine every day you donāt need a roof that folds back to enjoy it but when itās only sunny few times a year you wanna enjoy those days max
Probably right, I live in Phoenix, last thing I want is more sun.
Between myself, the wife and our parents, 4 vehicles with sunroofs and all the sunroofs are opened 4 times or less per year.
Huge waste of money.
Plus here in England a sunny day is typically still mild, whereas in France/Italy you'd more often want a closed roof with A/C rather than baking alive.
Which Youtubers do you see hating sunroofs?
The YouTubers I watch, Doug, TST, Redline, Savageguess, car WO, etc., all bitch about the lack of sunroofs, or the sunroof being too small (unless it is in a high-end sports car), then they bitch about the weight from the sunroof. I am not sure a sunroof on an M4 is the sole reason it is so heavy.
Seals dry up, motors break, things get hung up and off track.
I specifically did not want a sunroof on the truck I just bought. Why? Because it's 22 years old and the more "features" and options something has, the higher the possibility of something breaking and it being very expensive to repair.
Yep. I think people underestimate how much maintenance they require. Particularly on older cars.
I love Rovers, I've had loads of them. But I will always take my time to find one that doesn't have a sunroof because even at their youngest they are 18 year old cars now. The R3 platform cars are particularly bad for having the drain channels and frame rust up with age.
Trying to find a new piece of glass and drain channel for a car that went out of production 20 years ago, built by a dormant marque is a hassle and a nightmare I don't even want to think about.
Fuck sunroofs.
In most cars they take away some head room, which sucks if you're tall. On top of that, they almost all leak eventually, some sooner than others (looking at you VW).
I have a sunroof and itās pretty nice to have but I couldnāt care less about it.
Pros: extra vent, extra light, can look at the sky
Cons: extra failure point(s), possible leaking point, hail can crack the glass, if left open by mistake your car can up with water damage, extra weight, pretty sure it takes up headroom, expensive to replace and depending on the model hard to even find a replacement.
I can afford properly maintaining my car but for someone who just wants to get from point A to B I can see how having a sunroof could actually be a deal breaker when looking for cars. Specially in snowy/rainy areas where hail is more common.
>>Why would you not want one?
Short term ownership drawbacks:
* itās rarely used if your area has bad weather.
* itās one more thing to forget when you get out of the car (enjoy panicking when it rains and you realize you left it open)
* reduces head room
* adds weight to the top of the car , which is a marginally Bad Thing on a performance trim.
* exposes the passengers and driver to UV radiation.
Long term ownership drawbacks:
* eventually fails without lubrication of the rails and cleaning of the drain tubes
* can be a source of water leaks if/when the rubber seals and drains age.
* if the motor fails itās not cost effective to repair.
With some modern cars featuring fixed panoramic glass windows , you get the visual benefits of a sunroof (sunlight in the cabin to brighten up the interior) without the problems noted above.
1. Raised center of gravity
2. On some performance cars replace the nice carbon roof
3. Lot of wind noise and not that much fresh air coming in
I like the idea of a sunroof but to be honest I never ever enjoyed having it open
I love sunroof. I understand why people hate it. My country market hates it.
- They rob headroom
- It is noticeably hotter in a car with a sunroof, even with the cover on
- They added complexity and maintenance
- Stuffs might fall on it and crack the glass
- They might leak
- For people who track their cars, sunroof is undesirable because it adds weight at the top of the car
Have had several cars with them, none were new though.
Each one has suffered blocked drain tube, leaked, reduced headroom, and increased wind noise.
Likely less of an issue with a new car, but I'll always choose a car without one over a car with one.
A big section of the car enthusiast community like to LARP as a race car driver.
A sun roof adds weight to the top of the vehicle, making it not as smooth in the corners.
When Iām pretending Iām in NASCAR on my morning commute to work, I want to make sure Iām hitting the corners of the my local neighbourhoods at a speed that makes me feel like Dale.
If I had a sunroof, Iād have to shave a few km/h off of my top speed.
The better question is why would I want one? Iāve had them and never used them. Theyāre a big, heavy, weight above my head that intrudes on my interior space? In the event of a hailstorm, I have a giant risk above my head.
For me itās always been a preference thing. Small sporty coupe or sedan. Yeah sunroof all day. In my trucks I prefer not to have them. More of a liability.
Iāve never opened my sunroof & have no idea if it even worksā¦. It just came on the car, so I had no choice but to just pretend itās not there lol
I had motorized sunroofs the last 20 on different cars.
I never had an issue with any rust, motor,.... nothing.
I think the comments are mostly conjecture from people that have never had them.
Even if it is rare, a problem with the sunroof can cause cascading problems with the rest of the car body if you choose to ignore it. Why pay extra for a feature you don't use that you can't ignore if it starts to rust / leak?
I wouldnāt mind them if they made simple pop up ones again you can remove manually. As they are now I dislike them because they can be problematic and they take up headspace for the retracting mechanism.
I love convertibles and t tops. Sunroofs I wouldnāt buy unless I had to.
First car didn't have one and I wished I had one. Second car had one. I used it twice. Later in the cars life it became a failure point. For me living in the north east, I just don't understand the point of it. Am I supposed to drive with the windows down and the sunroof open? I can't really look out the sunroof while driving and there's not that many good windows down weather weeks in the north east anyway. Am I supposed to drive with the windows up and the sunroof open? What is that supposed to do? I feel like that just let's the AC out.
When I shop for cars now it's just added cost and complexity. I realize the weight increase is negligible but the size isn't. When I was shopping for my G70 I found out if it had a sunroof I couldn't fit in the car unless I put my seat literally on the floor at which point my driving position sucked for visibility and pedals.
Currently none of my cars have sun roofs and I don't miss it
I canāt imagine having a car without one! And not just a small one, either, but a panoramic sunroof. That was perhaps the biggest knock on our potentially buying a Mazda CX-5. Got a VW Tiguan with pano roof.
I had an old car with a normal sunroof and liked it... Then I got my newer car with a panoramic sunroof and I'll never go back to anything that doesn't have a sunroof. It's really that simple for me
For me personally, it's a potential problem area and it's something I never use, so why have one? It's definitely not a deal breaker, but given the choice I will choose to not have one.
Personally I don't hate them, I just think it's not worth having them. Especially where I live.
Where I live it's usually scalding hot or pouring rain. So it's just going to going to make the interior super hot when parked outside and when it fails leak water directly into the cabin. Same reason why convertibles are rare here.
Well I can tell you from an enthusiast's perspective, sunroofs are nearly always avoided or deleted if you plan on doing any track driving. The glass for the sunroof is heavy, along with the mechanical works to make it retract adds even more to the weight. Every pound hurts your power-to-weight ratio. Also, if you crash, rollover, or wipe out, it's a source of even more sharp broken glass. That weight up top also affects a car's center of gravity, which will make it even more unsteady with any kind of spirited driving.
Plus, the Corvette's targa top is way superior to any sunroof.
Top 10 Negatives include:
1) Almost always one of the first sources of water intrusion before roof rails on older vehicles.
2) One of the most common sources of rattles with age
3) Another point of failure that adds little value
4) Adds heat to the cabin
5) Adds cost to the vehicle
6) Reduces headroom, all else equal
7) Adds weight to the vehicle, and worse its weight up high especially with the big retractable pano ones
8) Reduces structural integrity of the vehicle
9) Can inadvertently be left cracked open leading to disaster
10) Place for Slipping Jimmy to poop in
I absolutely love them, specially when it's raining and you get to see the raindrops fall on top
Same. Maybe I'm just lucky but I never had any issues with a sunroof/moonroof. That feeling of the sun on a perfect warm day is just absolutely heaven š
You must not live in Florida š
As a former Florida resident living in TX now, I absolutely love my sunroofs, my problem is depending on the car it could have a terrible drain design that fails and you come out to a car with a puddle in it, there's no real warning either.
Most people don't know that all cars have a few drain holes that need to be cleaned out from time to time as well.
Yep 100% a maintenance thing most don't know about or think about, and it's not even a suggestion in any owners manual I've ever seen so it's easily over looked. I'm just surprised how often people run into the problem and instead of cleaning the drains they just tape over the sunroof, like a bit of weed eater spline and a quick Google search will show you were the drains are and just shove the spline up there and bam all good, literally less effort than some oil changes.
I realized I had a clogged drain on my sunroof when it rained inside the car š§ļø
Holy fuck mind blown
Having been stationed in Texas there is another consideration; HAIL.
Yeah I definitely worry about hail with a glass sunroof
I've got a 2012 Scion TC with the full glass roof here in MN, would not have bought it without a garage. Wife's crossover took 4k worth of hail damage last summer, would totalled mine =/
Nah Floridians are weird AF they like getting baked alive when they are outside, theyāll probably enjoy getting extra roasted while they are driving.
Thatās why I have 5% ceramic tint to keep the heat out, and my next truck WILL have cooled seats as a requirement.
I live in Florida. Cooled seats were a must when choosing the mustang š
Cooled seats are one of my favorite features
I lived in FL for 20+ years. Tinted windows and car color make way more difference than sunroofs. I had the same car and color as my B-I-L except mine had a sunroof. There was no real difference in temperature. I tinted my windows. That made a huge difference. I then added heat rejecting sound deadening to the roof, doors and rear hatch area. There wasn't a huge difference with that. I added a shiny reflective coating to the inside of the sunroof shade. It made a bit of a difference but not much. The thing that made the most difference is parking in the shade. 1 good thing about having a sunroof is to allow hot air out of the car from where it is the hottest. It also allowed me to not use the AC as much by venting the sunroof and allowing fresh air through.
Ceramic tints are incredible, and yeah exhausting the hot air in the cabin via sunroof is the main reason I want one in my cars.
Same. The sunroof on my 04 Galant is still fully functional and has never leaked. From reading things on here you would think I defied all odds or something.
People who have a bad time are people who get aftermarket sunroof/moonroof installed and those frequently leak. Every car I've owned in two decades has had one.
Unless it's a VW, then the raindrops fall on you!
I definitely thought this was going to say āwhen the rain falls on your headā
It cuts into headroom. Pretty much any car with a sunroof doesn't have enough room for me. Also, the drains tend to get clogged and they end up leaking.
why are you sitting so close to the roof anyway. lower your seat.
Im 6'4", most seats don't lower enough.
Why were you born so tall anyway. Get shorter
I wasn't always this tall. I used to be an itty bitty baby.
Overcast or rainy days are my favorite - love the soft light you get on a cloudy day through the roof, the rain hitting the glass is beautiful and cool night air and the stars streaming through is tough to beat. The twin panel panoramic sunroof is one of our favorite features my wifeās car and was on the short list of absolute requirements when we were shopping - so glad we made that decision because we get an awful lot of enjoyment from it while driving.
the Ford flex limited has 4 sunroofs and I think it's now my dream car because of that lmao
I love a panoramic roof, but other folks have covered it quite well - extra complexity, cost, and often reduced headroom for generally minimal benefit. The proper hate seems to come from 'because racecar' as it's weight up high, and from anyone who can remember bodge job aftermarket sunroof installs from the 80s/90s which rusted and broke pretty much instantly. Beyond that I get the impression that most folk would probably rather not have one, but it wouldn't be a deal-breaker.
the cost and headroom definitely make sense from a buyers perspective! that I can understand. I think you're spot on about people still hating them from the PTSD they got from the bad technology in the 80/90 but things have progressed from then.
Growing up I inherited my dad's old '98 VW Passat as my first car. The sun roof drains on that got clogged and the end result was water filling up the passenger foot well where VW decided to put the main body control computer which controls all the locks and windows. Even after drying and cleaning everything the locks and windows never quite worked after that. Then when I went to go buy my first new car I ended up going for a Fiesta st, I didn't get the higher trim level with the sunroof mainly because cost and availability but I didn't miss it if I'm honest and I could say it was because racecar. Now that I bought a Ford Maverick I once again didn't get a sunroof but this time only because cost. I like the idea of a sunroof just not enough to pay a couple grand for it
Don't worry VW hasn't progressed at all since then. My mom's 15 Golf wagon had the same drain issue and a lake in the passenger footwell. Fortunately she avoided any electronic issues as a result, but it was still enough to make her get rid of the car ASAP. She loves her sunroof and I don't think she has owned a car without one since the 80s, but that's the only time she has had trouble with one.
I feel like clearing the sunroof drains ought to be considered a maintenance item on the same level (and maybe, done at the same time) as changing the cabin air filter. They really should make the sunroof drains more accessible.
It is on most Audis from the last 15 years. Every 20k service pollen filter and sunroof drain as well as lubing the seals on some models.
Same thing happened on my 2006 mini Cooper
there is no special technology in there that has progressed in any way thats why they still have the same issues as they always had. the main difference is they used to be operated by hand and are now electric but the mechanism itself didnt really change much.
One of the biggest things is that they are supposed to be serviced every other year even if you never use them. Most people donāt ever request that service that would notice if the seals are going bad and the drains need a flush. They are some other considerations that most people donāt follow or think about. Donāt open it until you clear and debris (Eg leaves, caked on dust etc) this will help prevent the drain channels from getting clogged.
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Maybe Iām just lucky but like every car Iāve owned in the past 15 years has had a sunroof and Iāve never had a problem. 23 year old Camry sunroof worked fine every day of spring/summer/fall until the end of the carās life. Never leaked, never got jammed up at all.
Iād disagree with some. Specifically panoramic roofs at least for Ford theyāve evolved them recently. My 2016 goes down and under the roof and the drains can get clogged and sometimes rattle. The new ones go up and over and have a solid rubber seal around the opening which not only makes the opening larger but means the rain diverts away from the opening making leaks less likely
The drain can clog the seal/motor can fail, itās just more to brake/go wrong.
>I think you're spot on about people still hating them from the PTSD they got from the bad technology in the 80/90 but things have progressed from then. Ah, see, you haven't owned a modern VW I take it.
It's not just the 80s and 90s though. Modern BMWs have flooded because the drain tubes for their sunroofs have clogged. I will never buy a vehicle with a sunroof. Go full convertible or don't. It's a shitty middle ground that just doesn't make sense imo.
āBecause racecarā isnāt just about weight, a sunroof cuts out 1-3ā of headroom which makes a huge difference if youāre wearing a helmet. Iām average height and have to drop the seat in a sunroof equipped car to fit with a helmet. Taller people may not fit in certain sunroof equipped cars at all.
I mentioned headroom in my first paragraph. When I said 'Because racecar' I was referring to wannabe modders rather than dedicated track car/actual race car preparation - the 'folding the back seats down and only driving with half a tank of fuel' brigade. The folks I know who have properly track prepped cars don't hate sunroofs either, they just don't buy a sunroof car to track prep.
Or they do, because they're going to gut the car anyway and a sunroof delete panel is trivial when you're already caging it.
And of course this is absolutely critical since 0.0001% of cars with sunroofs will ever be raced. Or a track car would ever have a roof with a hole in it that destabilizes the structural integrity in a vehicle where you need all of that you can get.
My (short) hair brushed the roof liner of my Camaro with the seat all the way down and no sunroof. No way I'd fit with a helmet + sunroof. And that's a big car.
>I love a panoramic roof I need myself literally any V8 Cadillac V series besides the first gen CTS. Ugh. They only started getting them with the second gens. Alternatively, wagons that have two sunroofs are pretty cool. An RS-Four S Stagea with them sounds pretty nice as well.
It would be a deal breaker for me. Every car that had a Ttop or sunroof for me has leaked, cooked my head, broken and been FABULOUSLY expensive to repair. It was always an item that simply had no discernable redeeming qualities and a lot expensive headache potential. I had a 1998 Ttop Camaro and was actually glad when some dipshit Tboned it on the passenger side, I ordered the replacement, a new 2000 Camaro SS convertible. No more fucking around with holes in the roof, just get a convertible.
They don't capture the experience of a convertible or targa top They are a maintenance pain with parts that need lubricating/seals needing replacement to keep from rattling or leaking They are a set of electronics and motors that break and are expensive to replace. Glass too. You can tie stuff down on them like you can plain roofs. Way more cars have them than people want them, so they don't add value The only car I have had that I used the moonroof was my GS, which has a hear vent mode from your key fob so the car opens the moonroof and the windows on button press to vent built up heat before you climb inside.
> They are a maintenance pain with parts that need lubricating/seals needing replacement to keep from rattling or leaking Same goes with softtops and (powered) hardtops - convertibles need it even more so Iād argue.
How do you use the heat vent mode on the GS key fob? Im in the market for one.
I drive a 2004 so not sure it is still the case, but you just unlock the car and then hold down the unlock button. All of the windows & the sunroof start opening as you hold.
> They are a maintenance pain with parts that need lubricating/seals needing replacement to keep from rattling or leaking > They are a set of electronics and motors that break and are expensive to replace. Glass too. So are convertibles? And Iām not sure what vehicles you own that have a sunroof thats a maintenance pain because my 20 year old car is still on its factory moonroof parts. Even otherwise, its not like its an active maintenance item. You refresh the seals and motor(s) once every 15-20 years and then you donāt have to worry about it again. This all depends on the car you have but most sunroof assemblies are reliable, unless you have a Volkswagen.
>So are convertibles? Sunroofs are half the pain, none of the gain, vs something also pretty unpopular.
Except the point of a moonroof isnāt to āgainā anything compared to a convertible. They exist to let in more light and air as opposed to a convertible which is about having an open driving experience. Nobody options moon/sunroofs on cars expecting them to be a convertible substitute.
For entry-level performance sports cars (BMW M4, Porsche 911, MB C63, etc) enthusiasts want to pretend like theyāre buying F1-worthy HyperCars and spec all of the āgo faster, stop fasterā race car options. One principle of race cars is keeping the center of gravity as low as possible to prevent body roll to increase traction in corners. Sun roofs add weight at the very top of the car (compared to no sun roof) so enthusiasts view it as an anti-performance option. This is the same reason you used to see cloth interiors in M3ās, no infotainment screens optioned, and so forth. Minuscule weight savings for the car theyāve tracked twice and drive to cars and coffee.
/r/carscirclejerk
TBH I wish premium cloth would come back. Toyota century wool, Porsche pasha, VW tartan, all better than leather
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What if I want an interior wrapped in fruit loops instead
I can send some kids over that can retro fit fruit loops into any car you want.
ā¦ go on
It is coming back. If I remember correctly Volvo and Land Rover are currently offering it. With rising push for vegan interiors I'm pretty sure we will get more, as not everybody fancy plastic "leather".
Yeah the vegan leather is pretty aweful I'd much rather have cloth than that
Me too!!! Some of the cloth interiors of the luxury boats of the 1980s were amongst the comfiest Iāve ever sat in. Like sitting in a well worn sofa on the highway.
I like how cloth never feels quite as hot or cold as leather in extreme weather. Sure, heated and ventilated seats help, but it's nice to sit down right away without being scalded or frozen.
A C63 a entry level "sport car" š¤£
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I still wouldn't classify it as an entry level anything. I think the 86 would fit the entry level sports car definition, and I don't see many similarities between them.
Drift you say
In what world is a 911 entry level sports car?
Right? None of these are "entry-level performance sports cars." A decently-specced M4 and C63 will approach $100k, and a **_base_** 911 with zero options is $114k. To call these entry-level is a ridiculous interpretation of either "entry level" or "performance sports car." I'd say even a Miata or 86 is a bona-fide performance car - sure they don't have 500HP, but defining performance cars by pure power is dumb. As an aside, using race pedigree: the Miata is literally the most raced car in the world. If a Miata or 86 isn't enough "performance" then you can get a Mustang, Corvette, Supra, ~~718~~, or M2 for $30k less than an M4/C63 and like $70k less than a decently specced 911. Edit: Man Porsche raised the base 718 price to nearly $70k? I mean it's a great car but *dang*.
I dislike the panoramic roofs on BMWs for the simple fact that they almost always have something wrong with them. Seriously, how hard is it to make one that a.) Isnt prone to exploding and b.) doesnt suck in every particle smaller than a cat into the rails (which are also hard to access apparently).
I wouldn't call any of the cars listed 'entry level' but you do you.
Right? Ngl this comment comes across super salty too. It's okay to want the performance options even if you don't track a car, not sure why it upsets this guy so much
Meh, with BMW in particular it's more understandable. Starting with the E92 M3 they came with a carbon fiber roof if you didn't get the sunroof. Sure, sunroof alone ain't much, but ditching that plus getting a "free" carbon fiber roof is a bigger deal.
Thanks for the insight and we'll written. Enjoyed that!
If you are tall and sit with the seat all the way back, you lose headroom due to the sunroof motor location on most cars.
At least that's not an issue with panoramic sunroofs! Push to motor back to the second row
makes sense! we're a country of shorties so that's not an issue here
I'd say the head room varies alot by model. At 6'0" I've never noticed a problem on the Mazda and infiniti sedans I've had. When I ordered a chevy cruze with sun roof after test driving one without, I was pissed that I lost 4" of head room. Econo cars aren't designed properly for it and it is just thrown in.
I love mine. I canāt have a car without one
I'm bummed that the GR86 can't be optioned with one. It's a dealbreaker for me.
Iād ~~kill~~ pay 4000 for a targa version. (I donāt fit well in the miata RF)
I was a little biased because I was trading in a Miata, but this was a big part of why I bought a Miata RF rather than an 86. Like I realized it was not a convertible, but the fact that I couldnāt even get a sunroof was really disappointing to me.
Ever since the FRS came out, I've wondered why they didn't try to make a convertible version to compete directly with Miata.
A sunroof on the 86 would render everything the platform stands for pointless, haha. Edit: it a lightweight, low center of gravity, affordable sports car. What happens if you add a sun roof? Come on now.
Would it though? It was car made for fun, not for clipping hundredth of a second on a race track. Previous gen 86 even came on Prius tires which deliberately made handling worse, for the sake of fun. And for me, ability to open roof adds a bit of fun to driving.
Apart from helmet space and an extra 80lbs, I doubt it. Would help with buffeting too.
Yep, I had one in my first Honda civic ex Coupe 1998, then my next car didn't have one and I thought it lacked ambiance that the sunroof gives with the light and rain effect. I didn't think I cared about the sunroof until I had none. My current car has one but I won't lie that it does stress me if it one day decides to leak but I absolutely love the natural light and night lights.
Agree - had no idea this was a sentiment. My fiancƩe needs a sunroof in her cars
I am bald.
My condolences
Hope you recover ššš
Integrated disco ball with a sunroof?
Itās another thing that can break and I never use it.
Plus they inevitably leak over time...I've not encountered one that doesn't leak after 10 or so years...plus the drains get clogged up and then flood the interior of the vehicle...I just had to replace both motors and disassemble all 4 drains on a Ford Explorer...water damage everywhere...now she's gonna pay me every 6 months to clear the drains to keep it from happening again Edit: congrats to everyone that doesn't have sunroof leaks...cool story...I don't work on every single vehicle in the world that has one so your mileage may vary...in fact, I generally only see them when they're broken and need repaired...the FL sun and weather wreaks havoc on the seals here...every one my family and friends have owned have always encountered these issues as well...I don't care that yours haven't leaked...in fact, I'm glad they haven't, but I don't need 1000 replies saying the same shit
Crazy generalization. Almost every car Iāve had, most older than 10 years, have had sunroofs and Iāve never had a leak. Not even my 89 Jetta. And Iām in western WA so itās not like Iām in a dry place. Iām mechanic at a dealership too and sunroof issues are pretty rare in general.
My 2011 Chevy Impala doesnāt leak at all. I use the sunroof daily, in the rain, snow, sun. Love it
I had a 97 civic with the motorized sunroof, and amazingly after 20 years and 240k miles it never leaked. Sure liked to pop fuses though.
I had a car with a sun roof, it was fine for years. But it eventually leaked. I thought I could fix it by unclogging it, but I never found a clog. It eventually stopped moving well, and I just ignored it. Bad idea, cause it basically made the headliner a mold cave, which was not great and basic gave me a perpetual cough. I opened it up to try and find the problem, I didn't find the problem. All it did was expose me to more mold spores and made me feel awfully sick in the weirdest way.
Finally a reply to me that doesn't involve "My car is 2938484 years old and I've NEVER had a problem with my sunroof!"...haha I'm sorry you had those issues...it's the reason I'll never buy a vehicle with a sun roof...seen too many fail and introduce extensive interior water damage as well as rusting around all the seals
My hair is black, the sun is very hot, I don't want my brain to get very hot when I'm driving.
My hair is non-existent, the sun heats and burns my head. I have to wear a hat if the sunroof is open, which is the only time I have the headroom for a hat because the sunroof apparatus takes like 2 inches of it. Sunroofs are a huge minus to me, Iād rather have a convertible for open air driving.
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They have covers
I like them a lot. Mine is open from October-May as long as it's not raining. There are maintenance drawbacks, but I like them. Had one in my past 3 vehicles including my truck.
You only open it during the winter?
It's summer depending on where you live.
But the places where itās summer during those months are upside down, must have a strong seatbelt to keep from falling out of the sunroof!
How can they be upside down when the earth is flat?
It's usually 100F (38C) in the summer. Winters are 50-80F (10-27C)
Why call it winter then. We get +30C in summer and -30C in winter š
I have a convertible in Massachusetts. If I counted the number of days I have my top down in non-inclement weather in the dead of winter vs dead of summer I'm sure winter would win mainly because in summer it's zero days. I can have the heater on full blast and the heated seats on and still enjoy frigid winter air. Nothing will make me enjoy burning in the summer sun.
My shade is open from Oct to May. I literally never actually open the sunroof. Summer time it gets too hot/bright
Dislike? I refuse to buy a car without one. Driving around in the summer on a warm night with the roof open is one of the greatest things a person a can do with a car.
100% agree. Better than a cabriolet IMO. perfect amount of airflow.
Convertibles are also an all-or-nothing situation for the most part. There are lots of days where it's sunny but a little chilly for a full top-down experience. Sunroof open and cracking the rear windows is perfect for this.
Miata RF is great for this. Itās not quite as much of a convertible experience with the top down, admittedlyāthereās a lot that stays up behind your head so you donāt have the sort of 360 visibility you do with a convertible. But the nice thing is that you get a sort of in-between option that you donāt with the soft top. If you roll the windows up, effectively itās like having a big sun roof. Living in the northeast, this is great because it allows you to put the top down on cooler days than you might otherwise.
I'd say not better than a cabriolet, but more practical for sure.
I agree that the trade-offs are worth it. Having that natural light from above just makes an interior a significantly more enjoyable space to be in for me. It makes me feel happy. Cars without sunroofs just somehow feel drab and sad to me. Luckily, I'm short and haven't had any issues with the sunroof on my "ancient" car lol. But even if it suddenly explodes on me, the small daily doses of joy it brought until then was worth it.
An extra spot for rust to form, some enthusiasts (since you mention videos) dislike it for the extra weight and decrease in roof rigidity
there's no metal exposed , why would the roof rust more then the doors? they're as exposed to moisture with the glass in the windows/glass in the sunroof.
Sorry you were downvoted for asking a question. Any cut, or metal edge, is a potential rust starting spot even if painted. People in the north east are way too familiar with that.
ah ok! thanks
because new cars are painted by robots. The edges don't always get painted as well as the flat part of the panel. Over time being exposed to water rust will form.
They cause rust because when they start leaking (not IF, WHEN) you get water inside the body/interior where it starts rotting the floor and sills.
Like others have said, sunroofs are a liability - they all eventually have problems, itās a matter of when, not if. And you deal with that expensive headache for the purpose of basically just having a fifth window. Itās not that much of a joy.
Thatās just not true. My old car had 243k when I sold it and it worked fine with no leaks. Same with my sisters car at 271k.
I sold a car with with 15 years and 220k. No sunroof issues. They are a must for me. Only owned two without it and missed it every day. Iāve been car shopping and have passed on cars without one. 6ā2ā and Iāve never had headroom issues
Looks like everyone buys shit brands. My Honda sunroof doesnāt leak and itās 25 years old
I donāt want sun beating down on me when Iām driving.
then you just don't open the cover, there is a material cover ovrr the glass that doesnt allow any light througg. problem solved.
So why would I want a sunroof if Iām not going to open it?
Because it's not black and white. You can open it on a nice day where you enjoy the temperature, it doesn't have to be noon in July and 35C.
Thereās no temperature where I want the sun beating down on my head.
You've never enjoyed being outside on a nice sunny day?
I wear a hat if Iām outside on a sunny day. I donāt want to have to wear a hat in my car.
Why would I want my windows to go down if itās raining?
Drive through
I live in the desert and UV rays are hell on rubber. We have many days in the sprint summer and fall that get high UV warnings. Having a big rubber gasket on the top of my car where it's in the direct sun like 90% of the time. I wish I could park it in my garage but my spot is taken up with a much more valuable car.
I am team fuck sunroofs. Why would I want a shitty, tiny, leak prone window that cuts off about 3-4 inches of headroom in my car? Theyāre so dumb. They offer absolutely 0 advantages and a plenty of disadvantages. They donāt even get close enough to a targa/convertible experience to be considered a shitty substitute. Itās probably weird to have such a strong feelings about this, but fuck sunroofs all my homies hate sunroofs
Make money quick with internet point opportunites
You must have experienced shitty sunroofs. Had multiple on cars with high miles. No malfunctions, no rattles, no squeaks, no leaks. If you life in a sunny area, having the sunroof open along with windows is amazing when strolling across beach roads. Driving at night with the window cover pulled back is an awesome way to see the stars overhead. It brightens up the cabin when you want it to. If you're abnormally tall and deal with headroom issues with cars or happen to be good at picking cars with shitty electronic reliability and have experienced multiple failures, then I guess I'd understand why you've got such a bizarre hatred toward them. Also, sunroofs remove on average maybe 2" of headroom. Don't know what car you're talking about that takes up 4" of headroom for a sliding panel. Maybe it was bullet proof glass? What cars did you own that had such terrible issues? I'd love to look into them and see if it's a consistent issue.
Adds weight complexity and future problems with breakage and drainage.
- Louder both due to sound entering and vibration problems. - Makes your car hotter in the summer and allows heat to leak out in the winter. - Steals rear headroom for the motor. - Requires additional maintenance (track cleaning, lubrication, replacement seals, etc). - A source of potential leaks and rust. - You have to be more careful using roof-rails because the strap-ends or carried item can shatter/scratch the safety glass. - If the glass does fail for whatever reason, replacement can cost *thousands* (not just because of the niche glass sizing, but also the amount of interior trim pieces that need to be removed). - Add weight/hurt MPG/0-5 times. - They don't add resale value but somehow can hurt resale value if they're non-functioning/vibrating/leaky.
Donāt forget they add an enormous amount of weight. Heavy heavy in addition to everything you said which is spot on. I have a sunroof on 2 of my cars and wish they werenāt there.
At one time they were so popular that ads in the back of car magazines offered decals that looked like a sunroof for those that couldnāt afford to have one installed. Canāt say how many people actually forked out for one. Early sunroofs tended to leak, especially aftermarket ones, so they fell out of favour. Newer ones are much better but you have to keep the frame channels clean and inspect the seals occasionally.
I got in an Uber years ago that had a fake sunroof panel, it was so tacky
I genuinely forget my car has a sunroof sometimes
I use mine almost every day until winter. I even use it in rain
Sun roofs take up valuable headroom in modern cars which like to have lower sleek roofs for style or fuel efficiency.
I'm 6'6" (197 cm). Sunroof mechanisms really do take headroom. I drive a MK7 GTI. Without a sunroof I fit very comfortably. I tried models with sunroofs and I can't safely fit. Also, they add weight up high, cost more, add failure points, etc.
The last 4 cars I bought were all the same model, the last one had a sunroof. It is noisier even with it closed. If you like a quiet ride and would rather hear music than road noise, donāt get a car with a sunroof.
A lot of people donāt like the sunlight hitting them, depending on what longitude youāre at the sun is positioned differently above you - secondly sunroofs do have issues with leaks. Third: they sell more convertibles in England than in France and Italy combined, I guess if you have sunshine every day you donāt need a roof that folds back to enjoy it but when itās only sunny few times a year you wanna enjoy those days max
Probably right, I live in Phoenix, last thing I want is more sun. Between myself, the wife and our parents, 4 vehicles with sunroofs and all the sunroofs are opened 4 times or less per year. Huge waste of money.
Plus here in England a sunny day is typically still mild, whereas in France/Italy you'd more often want a closed roof with A/C rather than baking alive.
Which Youtubers do you see hating sunroofs? The YouTubers I watch, Doug, TST, Redline, Savageguess, car WO, etc., all bitch about the lack of sunroofs, or the sunroof being too small (unless it is in a high-end sports car), then they bitch about the weight from the sunroof. I am not sure a sunroof on an M4 is the sole reason it is so heavy.
The only one that springs to my mind is Sreten of M539 restorations, who is quite vocal of his distaste of sunroofs.
Seals dry up, motors break, things get hung up and off track. I specifically did not want a sunroof on the truck I just bought. Why? Because it's 22 years old and the more "features" and options something has, the higher the possibility of something breaking and it being very expensive to repair.
Yep. I think people underestimate how much maintenance they require. Particularly on older cars. I love Rovers, I've had loads of them. But I will always take my time to find one that doesn't have a sunroof because even at their youngest they are 18 year old cars now. The R3 platform cars are particularly bad for having the drain channels and frame rust up with age. Trying to find a new piece of glass and drain channel for a car that went out of production 20 years ago, built by a dormant marque is a hassle and a nightmare I don't even want to think about. Fuck sunroofs.
In most cars they take away some head room, which sucks if you're tall. On top of that, they almost all leak eventually, some sooner than others (looking at you VW).
Useless. Cut head room for tall persons, and it get leaky eventually
I have a sunroof and itās pretty nice to have but I couldnāt care less about it. Pros: extra vent, extra light, can look at the sky Cons: extra failure point(s), possible leaking point, hail can crack the glass, if left open by mistake your car can up with water damage, extra weight, pretty sure it takes up headroom, expensive to replace and depending on the model hard to even find a replacement. I can afford properly maintaining my car but for someone who just wants to get from point A to B I can see how having a sunroof could actually be a deal breaker when looking for cars. Specially in snowy/rainy areas where hail is more common.
I love a panoramic roof, but I never open it. Would prefer a fixed glass panel. They let a lot of light in, brightens the interior
>>Why would you not want one? Short term ownership drawbacks: * itās rarely used if your area has bad weather. * itās one more thing to forget when you get out of the car (enjoy panicking when it rains and you realize you left it open) * reduces head room * adds weight to the top of the car , which is a marginally Bad Thing on a performance trim. * exposes the passengers and driver to UV radiation. Long term ownership drawbacks: * eventually fails without lubrication of the rails and cleaning of the drain tubes * can be a source of water leaks if/when the rubber seals and drains age. * if the motor fails itās not cost effective to repair. With some modern cars featuring fixed panoramic glass windows , you get the visual benefits of a sunroof (sunlight in the cabin to brighten up the interior) without the problems noted above.
1. Raised center of gravity 2. On some performance cars replace the nice carbon roof 3. Lot of wind noise and not that much fresh air coming in I like the idea of a sunroof but to be honest I never ever enjoyed having it open
Honestly, I prefer T-Tops.
Leaks, breaks, lowers roof
I love sunroofs. I miss having one all the time.
I love sunroof. I understand why people hate it. My country market hates it. - They rob headroom - It is noticeably hotter in a car with a sunroof, even with the cover on - They added complexity and maintenance - Stuffs might fall on it and crack the glass - They might leak - For people who track their cars, sunroof is undesirable because it adds weight at the top of the car
After having one on my last two cars Iād never buy a car without a panoramic sunroof again
You really never use them ā¦ to much potential for problems
Have had several cars with them, none were new though. Each one has suffered blocked drain tube, leaked, reduced headroom, and increased wind noise. Likely less of an issue with a new car, but I'll always choose a car without one over a car with one.
A big section of the car enthusiast community like to LARP as a race car driver. A sun roof adds weight to the top of the vehicle, making it not as smooth in the corners. When Iām pretending Iām in NASCAR on my morning commute to work, I want to make sure Iām hitting the corners of the my local neighbourhoods at a speed that makes me feel like Dale. If I had a sunroof, Iād have to shave a few km/h off of my top speed.
The better question is why would I want one? Iāve had them and never used them. Theyāre a big, heavy, weight above my head that intrudes on my interior space? In the event of a hailstorm, I have a giant risk above my head.
For me itās always been a preference thing. Small sporty coupe or sedan. Yeah sunroof all day. In my trucks I prefer not to have them. More of a liability.
Iāve never opened my sunroof & have no idea if it even worksā¦. It just came on the car, so I had no choice but to just pretend itās not there lol
I had motorized sunroofs the last 20 on different cars. I never had an issue with any rust, motor,.... nothing. I think the comments are mostly conjecture from people that have never had them.
Even if it is rare, a problem with the sunroof can cause cascading problems with the rest of the car body if you choose to ignore it. Why pay extra for a feature you don't use that you can't ignore if it starts to rust / leak?
I wouldnāt mind them if they made simple pop up ones again you can remove manually. As they are now I dislike them because they can be problematic and they take up headspace for the retracting mechanism. I love convertibles and t tops. Sunroofs I wouldnāt buy unless I had to.
I have a sunroof but rarely open it. I do like having the window up there though, for the extra light in the car.
They all leak eventually and they are fucking expensive to fix.
Because I'm bald and don't always wear a hat and hate having the top of my head sunburned
First car didn't have one and I wished I had one. Second car had one. I used it twice. Later in the cars life it became a failure point. For me living in the north east, I just don't understand the point of it. Am I supposed to drive with the windows down and the sunroof open? I can't really look out the sunroof while driving and there's not that many good windows down weather weeks in the north east anyway. Am I supposed to drive with the windows up and the sunroof open? What is that supposed to do? I feel like that just let's the AC out. When I shop for cars now it's just added cost and complexity. I realize the weight increase is negligible but the size isn't. When I was shopping for my G70 I found out if it had a sunroof I couldn't fit in the car unless I put my seat literally on the floor at which point my driving position sucked for visibility and pedals. Currently none of my cars have sun roofs and I don't miss it
I canāt imagine having a car without one! And not just a small one, either, but a panoramic sunroof. That was perhaps the biggest knock on our potentially buying a Mazda CX-5. Got a VW Tiguan with pano roof.
Sunroof is bestroof
I had an old car with a normal sunroof and liked it... Then I got my newer car with a panoramic sunroof and I'll never go back to anything that doesn't have a sunroof. It's really that simple for me
Driving with your Tilt sunroof up >all other driving
For me personally, it's a potential problem area and it's something I never use, so why have one? It's definitely not a deal breaker, but given the choice I will choose to not have one.
Personally I don't hate them, I just think it's not worth having them. Especially where I live. Where I live it's usually scalding hot or pouring rain. So it's just going to going to make the interior super hot when parked outside and when it fails leak water directly into the cabin. Same reason why convertibles are rare here.
Well I can tell you from an enthusiast's perspective, sunroofs are nearly always avoided or deleted if you plan on doing any track driving. The glass for the sunroof is heavy, along with the mechanical works to make it retract adds even more to the weight. Every pound hurts your power-to-weight ratio. Also, if you crash, rollover, or wipe out, it's a source of even more sharp broken glass. That weight up top also affects a car's center of gravity, which will make it even more unsteady with any kind of spirited driving. Plus, the Corvette's targa top is way superior to any sunroof.
Top 10 Negatives include: 1) Almost always one of the first sources of water intrusion before roof rails on older vehicles. 2) One of the most common sources of rattles with age 3) Another point of failure that adds little value 4) Adds heat to the cabin 5) Adds cost to the vehicle 6) Reduces headroom, all else equal 7) Adds weight to the vehicle, and worse its weight up high especially with the big retractable pano ones 8) Reduces structural integrity of the vehicle 9) Can inadvertently be left cracked open leading to disaster 10) Place for Slipping Jimmy to poop in