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Is a moonroof/sunroof a deal breaker for you?

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Old 05-20-19, 01:49 PM
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Toys4RJill
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Default Is a moonroof/sunroof a deal breaker for you?

I have been kicking the tires on a new car lately. All four of our vehicles have moonroofs and I have pretty much always had one. I see the new Corolla hatch and new Corolla hybrid do not offer them at all, so it got me thinking.

Is it a deal breaker for you to have one?

I do like the roof open at night, but I never ever open it during the day.
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Old 05-20-19, 02:14 PM
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arentz07
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I think it's nice to have sometimes, but the added weight/complexity of it mean it's not "free". For me, if it were a daily driver, I think I'd like a sunroof but not enough to prevent me from buying a car without one.
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Old 05-20-19, 02:25 PM
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mmarshall
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Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
Is it a deal breaker for you to have one?
As of now, yes, it is. That is one of the reasons why I special-ordered my Lacrosse without a sunroof, but with (most) of the other things I wanted. I couldn't get exactly what I wanted, but it was close.

IMO, a power sunroof is just one more piece of equipment to potentially break down (sometimes just as a rainstorm is approaching), and a potential source of squeaks, rattles, and air/water leaks. it also cuts out a certain amount of the roof-panel's torsional/longitudinal rigidity, even if only a small amount.

Last edited by mmarshall; 05-20-19 at 02:36 PM.
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Old 05-20-19, 02:32 PM
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I hate moon roofs and wish my car didn’t have one. I never ever use it. Too much noise when open. I prefer silence.
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Old 05-20-19, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by mbarron37
I hate moon roofs and wish my car didn’t have one. I never ever use it. Too much noise when open. I prefer silence.
What type of car?
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Old 05-20-19, 02:51 PM
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mbarron37
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Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
What type of car?
2013 LS460. I am not a fan of moon roofs on any car, as I prefer serenity. My wife thinks I am crazy. I keep it shut and turn on the AC when it gets warm. Also, rarely open windows for same reason. I like AC.
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Old 05-20-19, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mbarron37
2013 LS460. I am not a fan of moon roofs on any car, as I prefer serenity. My wife thinks I am crazy. I keep it shut and turn on the AC when it gets warm. Also, rarely open windows for same reason. I like AC.
Nothing wrong with that. I do not like the shade or roof open during the day, ever. I will only open at night. Does your wife have a sunroof?
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Old 05-20-19, 04:37 PM
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It was 10 years ago for me, but i don't use it enough these days to justify it anymore.
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Old 05-20-19, 05:49 PM
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Yes. I would never, ever buy a car without one. We ordered the Highlander to be able to get the panoramic sunroof (love it!).
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Old 05-20-19, 06:16 PM
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I enjoy having one and using it....but if I had at least one other car with one I might be willing to go without it. Depends on the car/situation.

My only non-negoiatable feature at this point is having ventilated seats is they aren’t cloth.
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Old 05-20-19, 06:23 PM
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Wouldn't buy a car without one. Love it.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by mbarron37
I hate moon roofs and wish my car didn’t have one. I never ever use it. Too much noise when open. I prefer silence.
100% agree!

Originally Posted by mmarshall
IMO, a power sunroof is just one more piece of equipment to potentially break down (sometimes just as a rainstorm is approaching), and a potential source of squeaks, rattles, and air/water leaks. it also cuts out a certain amount of the roof-panel's torsional/longitudinal rigidity, even if only a small amount.
In all the vehicles i’ve owned, i’ve never had ANY issue with a sunroof. They’ve never broken down, squeaked, rattled, or leaked. I think this concern is unfounded. Maybe in the 1980s when some people got an aftermarket cheesy sun roof.

Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
Does your wife have a sunroof?
Must... resist... commenting...
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Old 05-20-19, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
In all the vehicles i’ve owned, i’ve never had ANY issue with a sunroof. They’ve never broken down, squeaked, rattled, or leaked. I think this concern is unfounded.
Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't look a little beyond your own experience. A close friend of mine (my ex-flight instructor, BTW), who was an avid Toyota fan for years, has had two Siennas with defective sunroofs, and balky or unacceptable warranty-coverage from Toyota on each. He is so p***ed-off he's about ready to give up on Toyota.

Maybe in the 1980s when some people got an aftermarket cheesy sun roof.

Aftermarket roofs, in general, only made the problem worse (or, at least, the potential for problems).

I'll agree that factory sunroofs, in general (notwithstanding the problems my friend had), are more reliable than they used to be, but it still doesn't negate the potential issues I brought up.

Last edited by mmarshall; 05-20-19 at 07:31 PM.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:33 PM
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All of our cars have them, my wife never ever uses, I do. But if it weren't there that would be fine. Cars like M3s where there's a carbon fiber roof it its place, or it did have it? I'd take that and delete the moonroof in a heartbeat.

I would say no a/c is a deal breaker, as is a CVT, and halogen headlamps.
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Old 05-20-19, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't look a little beyond your own experience. A close friend of mine (my ex-flight instructor, BTW), who was an avid Toyota fan for years, has had two Siennas with defective sunroofs, and balky or unacceptable warranty-coverage from Toyota on each. He is so p***ed-off he's about ready to give up on Toyota.


Aftermarket roofs, in general, only made the problem worse (or, at least, the potential for problems).

I'll agree that factory sunroofs, in general (notwithstanding the problems my friend had), are more reliable than they used to be, but it still doesn't negate the potential issues I brought up.
It leaked on my bro's brand new Ford Raptor. Took the dealership more than one month to fix it. I told him your car is like a M3, in its own realm, they should do better. Didn't even give him a loaner he had to wait.
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