Do any new cars still come with a 'normal' sunroof?
Discussion
I prefer to have a/c and no sunroof these days, although in years gone by I did have a few cars with sunroofs of varying success.
1980 Fiesta. Previous owner covered the aftermarket tilt only sunroof with filler. When it cracked I decided to remove the filler. Bad mistake. Sunroof leaked badly. It stored the water somewhere and leaked even on dry days! Various bodges with bath sealer, more filler and painting the roof with Hammerite had limited success. The person I sold it to had a solution. He fitted a solid roof rack to it, although he was a painter and decorator who used the car for his work carrying ladders about.
1986 Cavalier. Factory fitted tilt and slide sunroof. Worked perfectly, no leaks.
1989 Astra. Same type as sunroof as the Cavalier, but if you put it on full slide it sounded like there was a helicopter hovering above the car.
1990 Fiesta. Cheapo dealer fitted tilt only sunroof with no blind. It would ice over on the inside in winter but didn't actually leak.
1992 Citroen ZX had an electric sunroof. Given the erratic electrics it was always a bit Russian roulette wondering if it would close again at the end of the journey. The electric gremlins mainly affected the dashboard warning lights though.
The last car I had with a sunroof was a 2001 Clio with a tilt only sunroof. To be fair I don't remember it leaking but I don't think I used it much, as it always felt a bit flimsy.
At least with a totally metal roof the chances of it leaking are slim! I still fear the problems of that first Fiesta!
1980 Fiesta. Previous owner covered the aftermarket tilt only sunroof with filler. When it cracked I decided to remove the filler. Bad mistake. Sunroof leaked badly. It stored the water somewhere and leaked even on dry days! Various bodges with bath sealer, more filler and painting the roof with Hammerite had limited success. The person I sold it to had a solution. He fitted a solid roof rack to it, although he was a painter and decorator who used the car for his work carrying ladders about.
1986 Cavalier. Factory fitted tilt and slide sunroof. Worked perfectly, no leaks.
1989 Astra. Same type as sunroof as the Cavalier, but if you put it on full slide it sounded like there was a helicopter hovering above the car.
1990 Fiesta. Cheapo dealer fitted tilt only sunroof with no blind. It would ice over on the inside in winter but didn't actually leak.
1992 Citroen ZX had an electric sunroof. Given the erratic electrics it was always a bit Russian roulette wondering if it would close again at the end of the journey. The electric gremlins mainly affected the dashboard warning lights though.
The last car I had with a sunroof was a 2001 Clio with a tilt only sunroof. To be fair I don't remember it leaking but I don't think I used it much, as it always felt a bit flimsy.
At least with a totally metal roof the chances of it leaking are slim! I still fear the problems of that first Fiesta!
Filibuster said:
I can't see the connection between aircon and sunroof either.
When aircon started becoming standard in most cars, sunroofs started to disappear. I suspect that manufacturers stopped offering sunroofs as standard to cut costs and to ensure they had another desirable £1k option to offer.
Thanks for the replies, chaps - it's mainly for the OH's benefit, as she insists on having a glass sunroof (for a 'brighter' cabin, she says).
Many years ago, I once drove to work on a beautiful winter's morning after a moderate snowfall. With brain clearly in neutral, I decided to open the sunroof... I wondered why the incoming light had a rather strange quality, and looked up to see a sheet of compacted snow above me. Just as my finger touched the 'close' button, the whole lot fell in my lap
Many years ago, I once drove to work on a beautiful winter's morning after a moderate snowfall. With brain clearly in neutral, I decided to open the sunroof... I wondered why the incoming light had a rather strange quality, and looked up to see a sheet of compacted snow above me. Just as my finger touched the 'close' button, the whole lot fell in my lap
I love my sunroof, Like a few people have said, I have mine open at any opportunity. Cars without them just feel more closed in.
I do also like the look of cars with tilted sunroofs too.
I have to admit, I feel slightly uneasy when I see the new sunroofs where a large glass panel is ontop of the car, looks like it's ready to fall off at any opportunity!
I do also like the look of cars with tilted sunroofs too.
I have to admit, I feel slightly uneasy when I see the new sunroofs where a large glass panel is ontop of the car, looks like it's ready to fall off at any opportunity!
My Outback's got a big sunroof and it's great; when combined with the cream leather it makes what isn't actually that spacious an interior feel really light and airy. Granted if you open it then over about 40 mph the wind noise gets a bit much, but for pottering around the Lakes and Dales in the summer it's brilliant - being able to see the fells out of the top makes it feel almost like a convertible.
Yes i know this is a few years old but just saw it
Anyway, i too have one on my old 3 series and like it, always liked them like many others here, but..
After reading some stuff online about them and why they're not a lot of cars now, said they seriously messes up mpg and wind flow/dynamics not to mention their weight causing top heavyness. And in a crash the glass coming in but then so will a door window or windscreen so don't really get that.
Having said all that, do i still like them......;)
Anyway, i too have one on my old 3 series and like it, always liked them like many others here, but..
After reading some stuff online about them and why they're not a lot of cars now, said they seriously messes up mpg and wind flow/dynamics not to mention their weight causing top heavyness. And in a crash the glass coming in but then so will a door window or windscreen so don't really get that.
Having said all that, do i still like them......;)
GSX said:
Anyway, i too have one on my old 3 series and like it, always liked them like many others here, but..
After reading some stuff online about them and why they're not a lot of cars now, said they seriously messes up mpg and wind flow/dynamics not to mention their weight causing top heavyness. And in a crash the glass coming in but then so will a door window or windscreen so don't really get that.
Some sunroof anecdotes...After reading some stuff online about them and why they're not a lot of cars now, said they seriously messes up mpg and wind flow/dynamics not to mention their weight causing top heavyness. And in a crash the glass coming in but then so will a door window or windscreen so don't really get that.
My BMW 3-series estate (E91) has a panaromic sunroof - when you spec it, the car also gets a slightly larger anti-rollbar fitted as well, presumably to counter the extra weight.
It's not actually that heavy (20KG I think), it's probably more the location that's the problem.
When I bought my MK2 RenaultSport Megane, I wanted the "Cup" option (stiffer suspension), but I wanted one with a sunroof.
I never found one for sale with both.
Apparently Renault were too worried about warranty claims to damaged sunroofs with the stiffer suspension so they were mutually exclusive.
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