Sun Roof

[Barsel]

I would just like to ask if you would recommend a sun roof or not? Every time the weather is fine, I always say I wish I had a sun roof, and as I am changing my car this year, I was wondering whether to get a car that has one. Many thanks for any replies.

[woofgang]

I have had cars that had them and very rarely used them.

[woofgang]

I hit send too soon. They tend to be noisy and don’t cool the car enough. I prefer AC

[Buenchico]

I've nearly always had a sun roof in my cars but (possibly 'cos it's got air-con) my current car hasn't got one. I really miss it!

[douglas9401]

For the benefit of those of us in the frozen north, what's 'sun'?

[Buenchico]

^^^ Air-con adds too much to fuel costs for me, Woofgang.

I only use mine in the winter, to clear the windscreen faster and to help to keep it clear. I'm amazed at how many people are happy to use air-con in the summer, when it just adds to running costs, but not in the winter, when it enhances safety.

[Barsel]

I've got air con at the moment and I use it quite a bit, although I am aware of the running costs. Chris, what do you like about a sun roof?

[retrocop]

I had a couple of cars about 30 years ago and had sunroofs fitted. I rarely had the opportunity to open them so I long ago decided they were a waste of money in the UK. I buy wind deflectors for the door windows and open the window or just put the Air Con on.
The wife had a sunroof as standard on her Renault Clio about 15 years ago. She left the roof open overnight and it rained. Water got into the sensor above the interior mirror which disabled the central locking and engine immobiliser. Cost a fortune to half lift to the garage and repair.Expensive mistake and she vowed never to bother with sun roofs.

[twix123]

Nearly 50 years ago I had a Fiat 500 with a folding canvas sun roof. It was very useful for exiting the car when I drove into a road that was flooded to a greater depth than I had thought - and don't forget the old boy rescued via the sun roof of his Land Rover during the recent floods!

Would I get a car with a sun roof again - probably not.

[Buenchico]

What do I like about a sun roof?

Well, I like to get some genuinely fresh air into the car in warm without
(a) being blasted by the air entering from the side windows ; and
(b) being unable to hear the radio because of the aforementioned blast.
I also like the smug feeling that it's costing me nowhere as much as air-con! (Opening a sun roof can add about 5% to your fuel costs, because the car's less aerodynamic. Using air-con can add about 15% or more).

[Barsel]

Thanks for all your answers.

[Old_Geezer]

Oh yes, they're great. And really useful when bringing long items back from the DIY stores. (Although my present one tries to auto close when one parks which isn't helpful if, say, you have a floorboard stuck out of it.) Go for it. I got mine retro-fitted to a car that didn't have one previously.

[Old_Geezer]

Air conditioning and a sunroof are not either/or. I have both and can choose which to use. Truth is climate control is permanently on, sun roof is opened when I want the extra light, fresh breeze, etc.

[Hopkirk]

In the days when my air conditioning worked, I tested the effect on fuel consumption if I ran it or didn't.

No effect.

[Ratty2E]

Quite a few of my cars have had sun roofs and the latter ones had AC too. I use both in the summer when it's really hot. If the car is like an oven when you first get in, opening the sun roof and side windows get the heat out very quickly then once you set off (after closing both) the AC has less work getting it cool. This car has a sun roof in the middle rather than over the drivers head, which I like and it has proved useful on occasion when returning from the garden centre with a tall plant as its directly above the rear footwell.

[Ratty2E]

If I remember rightly as far as economy is concerned you are better opening the windows for round town driving but over 30 it's more economical to use AC.

[KARL]

Consider cars seen in warmer countries in Europe, sun roofs are relatively rare whereas the percentage is probably significantly higher in the UK, as is the case with convertibles. I have always found this an interesting fact.

[Baldric]

None of our three cars have sunroofs, had them in the past, not really bothered about them either way.
A good Air-con system wins every time.

[Bazile]

Yes the air con is very good for clearing a frosted screen very quickly

[Baldric]

I do rather like the idea of a Panoramic Glass Roof (non opening) and will probably look for one on next car I buy.

[SteveD]

Panoramic roofs can result in reduced headroom for rear seat passengers.