Sunroofs - What's Your Experience?

[crotchrocket]

I'm not a sunroof fan to be honest, my 300zx has glass targas and i keep the sun blinds on constantly when the roof is on, i like to be dark inside the cockpit, especially with tinted windows etc.

[Riff Raff]

My VX has the Webasto electric "Moonroof" with a dark limo tint and was professionally installed by the PO. I absolutely love it. It looks OEM factory and doesn't leak a single drop even in heavy Washington State down-pours. The replacement headliner looks OEM factory and has never sagged. It has illuminated control buttons; built-in sun-shade slider; built-in wind deflector that raises up upon opening, and the roof will automatically close when the iginition is turned off. I trust it more than I do the cheesy VX electric side-door windows.

Get one, it's awesome. I'm tall, so I already sit really high in the VX with very little headroom and the open roof gives me a feeling of more spaciousness. My only advice is to have it professionally installed by a Automotive Sunroof Shop that sells/installs that specific brand product and ask to see examples of their previous work or customer testimony before purchase.

Lastly, stay away from those cheap pop-top sunroofs that always leak-- if you're gonna cut a hole in your roof, then do it right with an electric moonroof or don't do it at all.

[circmand]

Hey I had a cheesy pop up in a Isuzu I-mark for years and never had any leaks. Also I would rather save a few bucks since it is no harder to lift your hand up to pop up or pop out the sunroof than press a button that could go bad costing a fortune to fix.

Not that there is anything wrong with electric. But remember if the VX had hand crank windows instead of electric we would have none of the window problems we have now and the VX could have been sold for 1-2 grand less.

[blacksambo]

Remember, those window problems could have been avoided with twice yearly applications of silicone to the channels. That's all.

[Gussie2000]

Leaking sunroof is all happening depending on how the installer did the job.
You can purchase the best/expensive kit out there,but if the installer don't know his job water & debries will get into the cabin any ways.

I looking foward to add a nice sun roof soon.

[BeeVenom]

I've had the Webasto power unit in my '01 for 6 years. Never a leak, works perfectly and still shuts automatically after you turn the VX off. Tilts up at the rear too if you like that. I do, especially in the rain. Like i said, no problems yet and if i did, the Webasto company in right in my town in Fenton, MI. I love it! Scott
HEY RIFF RAFF, You're right, they're the best!

[Riff Raff]

BeeVenom--- Yup, they are definately the best for sure!!! For those considering getting an electric Sunroof/Moonroof, the Webasto brand is the only way to go. Once you experience having a VX with an electric Sunroof/Moonroof, you'll wonder how the hell you ever lived without it!!!

Don't forget: Stay away from the cheapo "Pop-Top"!!!

[circmand]

Remember, those window problems could have been avoided with twice yearly applications of silicone to the channels. That's all.

Those of us who are original owners did not have the advanced notice of the issue to apply the silicon.

Depends on the installer, yeah but you find out how good they were months or years after install

I decided against it once I found out the headliner needs replaced. I only go with mods that do not need additional work to look original

[tom4bren]

VT,

I've put 100K on an Eclipse with that kind of sunroof. I've never had any problems with anything hitting the glass.

From an Engineering perspective - you're right. It is something that I'd be concerned about. In reality, it works great.

Tom

[Gussie2000]

VT_maverick

I shared with the installer that same concern though.
He say that the sliding sunroof are the standard style,but is more for luxury cars then sport cars which in this case the VX falls in.
He explain me that spoiler style was designed precisely because sports cars ussually lacks lots of head room such as the honda prelude,mistsubishi eclipse or toyota celica.
I forgot to mention that the guy took a pic of the VX,dowloaded into the shop's computer which comes with a autocad or photoshop aplication & actually showed me how the VX looks with the spoiler & the sliding sunroof & guys i got to admit that the spoiler looks way more OEM then the sliding style on the VX.
He also suggested me to replace the head liner & the dash pillars in black color to match the interior.
I noticed that this guy is very passioned about his job,very detailled.
Whilst there the guy was over the two workers on every detail.
The only cons so far is the fact that the roof racks can get in the sun roof's way,but got to check the clearance.