I'm gonna venture and say that it's because of cost savings at ford, but you're probably correct. if one was available,I'm not sure if I would have gotten it even though pretty much all the other vehicles I've bought in the past had sunroofs. the dual panel sunroofs in our explorer sport now are badass though.
I think Ford found that there isn't enough interest in them to warrant the added engineering and weight to offer it. I personally have had them in the last half dozen vehicles I've owned(only because the option pkgs required it), and have NEVER opened one of them(except to double check operation the first day)!!! Each to their own however.
A bit disappointed it's not an option, but not a deal breaker. Still love my GT.... Sans body alignment issues of course.... though it would have been nice.
Like others here, I've had a number of vehicles with a sunroof and almost never used them. I did use the panoramic moon roof in my Edge Limited though, that thing was huge. I don't miss it in the Mustang at all. Ford does have the ultimate sunroof for the Mustang though, It's called a convertible.
Not an option probably due to the following factors that present themselves after a few years of ownership:
1) Drainage tube issues - usually 4 tubes, 2 run down A-pillars to rockers and 2 run down C-pillars to rockers. Over time the tubes clog or dry rot - causing pooling of water in sunroof gutter, which can leak into interior or rotting of sheet metal due to water ceasing to drain from bottom of rockers. Not to mention if tubes are not draining, the actual sunroof gutter will rot out over time.
2) Seals / weather stripping - dry rotting, improper sealing due to warping, shrinkage, etc. Wind noise at high speeds.
3) Deterioration of metal trim - on, in and around sunroof.
4) If motorized sunroof - motor failure, switch failure, wiring failure, debris in tracks which will make sunroof get stuck in forward or backward position, etc, etc, etc. If equipped with cover or shade, it gets stuck, becomes loose or no longer seals. Also to incorporate the motorized function, tracks, etc there has to be enough head room between roof liner and actual roof.
5) Noise & vibration - sometimes the sunroof interior shade or cover will rattle over time. Even with the glass, if weather stripping becomes deteriorated the glass can rattle against roof or sunroof hole.
6) Shape of roof design - not an issue but more of a manufacturing aspect that prevents the S550 from having the option.
Even if it were a manual sunroof with no motor mechanism - the same issues apply with noises, weatherstrip deterioration, drainage tubes etc.
Also think about ownership resale value - believe it or not many people will shy away from vehicles that had aftermarket sunroofs installed (for same reasons noted above + shoddy install). Even factory installed sunroofs - again if you're familiar with the maintenance concerns of that feature on an older vehicle you're not looking to buy one. Hardcore sunroof, moonroof, T-roof, convertible roof or glass roof enthusiasts will not be swayed, but they're the minority for resale value.
I've been the owner of multiple Mustangs with a factory sunroof (and T-tops), as well as having a sunroof option in other vehicles - if you can deal with the above issues that's one thing, but if you're an Owner who whines at the slightest bit of road noise or NVH - it's a headache to all manufacturers.
The S197 had the Glass Roof option - from what other owners posted online who actually owned those cars - they baked in the sun and it was not a pleasant ownership experience for those in hot climates. Also there were posts about the structure creaking, etc. The option did not last because it became more of a headache than a wow factor and then it was deterrent more than a feature that everyone wanted.
After reading many posts on this site in all of the sub forums - there's some whiners to the *slightest* things that irk them about their new S550 - things that are not even major issues and I can only imagine IF the S550 did have a Sunroof or Glass Roof option there would be MULTIPLE threads from those same people as to how they hate Ford, their S550 and the option they chose..... :lol: it's not an intended slam, just factual as I'm sure others have read certain threads and are like "wut" and shrug their shoulders.... :lol:
So there's some food for thought as to why the S550 doesn't have a sunroof.
My truck has a sunroof, I bought off the lot, and it was a no cost option, still wish it wasn't there. I have no use for a sunroof, never use it and the cab is a little warmer in the summer with it. If I want wind noise, I'll open a window.
T tops are kinda cool, and I like a removable panel roof like the vette has. But I sure wouldn't pay extra for added weight. Camaro has a sunroof option.
At one point I felt same way. Having owned numerous Japanese high end cars with a sun roof standard. But I compromised and got a GT Premium. No regrets.
I miss on really cold days in my celica keeping it creeped open and letting the natural air flow through the car/vents without having to open the windows and freeze. That car had awesome air flow through the vents, rsrely had to put the fan on or use a/c