So...I'm Calling Around About Sunroofs

[tom_sprecher]

We have owned several cars/SUV's with sunroofs and maybe opened them 2-3 times each. If it wasn't for the fact we could not find one without a sunroof, my wife's Explorer would not have one now. Total waste of $1,595.00.

What's worst is a split back window in a pickup. Open the damn thing, and dirt and dust gets sucked into the cab.

Get a convertible, or an old Jeep, and keep it in the garage. We rarely put the doors, or top back on the Jeep.

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[Zooks527]

What's worst is a split back window in a pickup. Open the damn thing, and dirt and dust gets sucked into the cab.

I think the split rear window in my Tacoma is great. Open it, crack the driver's window, and there's a nice breeze through the cabin at highway speeds on a hot day.

FWIW on the OP's topic, I like sunroofs. Would have taken one if the Mustang offered it. Would never add one to a car that didn't have it.

 

[w3rkn]

Honestly, look at the actual roof, it is quite small. I think a "glass roof" option would be a nice.

 

[Grintch]

I agree. I've never seen a sunroof that didn't leak or quit functioning after a few years.

Not to mention they add weight (in the worst possible place, up high) , reduce structural stiffness/strength, and reduce headroom. Oh yeah, and add cost.

 

[TomcatDriver]

I am quite happy the S550 doesn't have the option. Most cars I've looked at that have a sunroof option, it's mandatory above the base model. It cuts an inch or more of headroom, weighs more, and invariably stops working at some point (unless you rarely use it). I have a 13 year old Honda with 180K and the sunroof works fine, but it has been used maybe 10 times ever.

 

[NoVaGT]

Not to mention they add weight (in the worst possible place, up high) , reduce structural stiffness/strength, and reduce headroom. Oh yeah, and add cost.

If you're tracking the car, sure, it's a bit of weight up high. But for regular driving, it's really not an issue.

And I'd argue it reduces structural stiffness/strength, where they go you're not removing anything structural. So you get the nice driving experience, without sacrificing anything.

But yeah, it does cost some headroom, but for those that enjoy the experience, the cost isn't a problem.

 

[rum_punch_ruby]

Not a fan of sun roofs but I get the appeal for those that do. You could always go this route.

I'd be all over this if I didnt have to go to CA to have it done.

 

[Brian_S550]

I'd be all over this if I didnt have to go to CA to have it done.

My first thought after seeing that picture was “OK now I really want a targa”.

 

[Ronin5.0]

My first thought after seeing that picture was “OK now I really want a targa”.

The only cool thing my Vette had that I miss with the GT...... However the Z06 models are hardtop only for the same reasons as stated above. I would entertain a Targa GT...

 

[Mustangpursuit]

I am lucky so far for the aftermarket webasto sunroof that the 2nd owner of my 2012 Beetle Turbo had installed... so far still no leaks and works fine, but kinda looks out of place since the factory version had more of a panorama one making roof look all black, and the webasto retracts outward, not into the roof. I may get a vinyl wrap on the roof to blend it in better. I would never buy an aftermarket for any car, I can live without it, but it was difficult to get a bargain on the beetle turbo with exact vw factory specs my wife wanted (and no she did not require a sunroof) I can see how Ford did have a glass roof S197 to accommodate the curvature, rather than a cut-out sunroof? CDC did also offer an aftermarket glass roof for them too.

 

[zackmd1]

The beauty behind a vacuum formed polycarbonate panel to replace the metal roof body panel is that no drains would be required. The polycarbonate sheet would take the place of the metal panel and be bonded to the structure of the vehicle. The metal panel does not provide much structural support to the rest of the frame so removing it and replacing with polycarbonate should not affect the structure much at all. On the underside of the polycarbonate panel, paint the parameter with the same paint used for windshield frits (black band on windshield) so to hide internal structure that should not be seen. 3 to 5 mm polycarbonate should be adequate to create the roof panel. The key would be impact resistance for rock strikes and things of that nature.

 

[Monopoly]

Not to mention they add weight (in the worst possible place, up high) , reduce structural stiffness/strength, and reduce headroom. Oh yeah, and add cost.

Then you’ve never owned a Honda

Targa roof like mk4 Supra/Vette c5 or newer would be perfect.

 

[Colleton]

I loved the glass roof on my '14 GT500. It was a wonderful feature that I whish had been offered on the S550.

I have an Edge Sport as a DD now. It has a glass roof with a "sun roof", i.e. the front half of the glass roof slides backwards to open up the fwd cabin. It's a huge sun roof opening, and I used it quite a bit last fall. I love the glass roof, but live in fear of the sun roof eventually leaking. I've been trying to keep the area around the edges of the opening as clean as possible to mitigate any potential issues.

 

[Teej]

I agree. I've never seen a sunroof that didn't leak or quit functioning after a few years.

Funny because this is the exact opposite of every car I have owned with a sunroof/moonroof. I've never had one quit working or stop leaking. I know of other people who have leaks but I just never have. Whether I owned the car for 8 years or the car was 16 years old, I've personally never had an issue.

I like them, but I also rarely even use them anymore if I have one so generally I don't worry about getting one anymore.

 

[A7X]

I loved the glass roof on my '14 GT500. It was a wonderful feature that I whish had been offered on the S550.

I have an Edge Sport as a DD now. It has a glass roof with a "sun roof", i.e. the front half of the glass roof slides backwards to open up the fwd cabin. It's a huge sun roof opening, and I used it quite a bit last fall. I love the glass roof, but live in fear of the sun roof eventually leaking. I've been trying to keep the area around the edges of the opening as clean as possible to mitigate any potential issues.

I saw one of those 2014 glass roof Mustangs the forst time I took my '17 GT in fro an opi change. Instant love.

Wish I had the option for one but apparently they had breakage issues?

Maybe one day I'll get a 2014 with the glass roof for fun.

That said, although I LOVE sunroofs - not to open but to have the sun come in - I hardly miss it on my '17

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