Car Panoramic Sunroofs

[B1GEast]

A lot of the pre-owned cars on my list have this feature and I don't feel comfortable with it.

It's a nice feature, but I'm concerned about long term maintenance and potentially issues like full replacement, leaks or wind noise.

Thoughts? Anyone have a car with this type of sunroof?

 

[HuskyHawk]

A lot of the pre-owned cars on my list have this feature and I don't feel comfortable with it.

It's a nice feature, but I'm concerned about long term maintenance and potentially issues like full replacement, leaks or wind noise.

Thoughts? Anyone have a car with this type of sunroof?

Wouldn’t really buy a car without one. I love the natural light. Never had any issues.

 

[Kolumbo]

I feel like leaky sunroofs are a thing of the 80's. I haven't heard of anyone having that type of problem in decades.

We had an older Volvo sedan where the water damaged the inside of the ceiling of the car. The reason was due to a clogged drain vein. The water is supposed to collect and drain down tubes located inside the pillars and empty out the bottom of the car. Cleaned out the drains and problem solved. So maybe they realized they can't make the sunroof completely water-tight. I don't know, I'm not a sunroof expert.

Anyway, we have a sunroof and a panoramic roof on 2 newer cars and problems yet.

I love opening the sunroofs during the summer driving local. I am old school, never liked AC. I need to pull the trigger on buying a small stick convertible to really enjoy summer driving. Most kids today will never really learn to drive and that's sad. Another thing that really bothers me. People will sit around in their large SUVs, engine running, AC running, 20-30 minutes at a time. I want to feel the outdoors. Jeeps are the only legit SUV convertible out there and I can't believe there aren't more competitors.

 

[NJHusky]

I need to pull the trigger on buying a small stick convertible to really enjoy summer driving. Most kids today will never really learn to drive and that's sad. Another thing that really bothers me.

They aren’t easy to find. I bought a Saab convertible 9 years ago after looking for almost 2 years

 

[Dove]

Recently bought a CX-50 and instantly had issues with water coming through the moon roof. Pissed me off so bad. When it sprinkled, I got a little wet. When it poured, the leaks were worse. Unreal.

Then I realized the moon roof was open.

 

[J187Money]

Had leaking issues with the sunroof in my 09 Hummer H2 but never in any other car. That was a pain to get fixed because they don’t make them anymore and parts are scarce.

 

[J187Money]

They aren’t easy to find. I bought a Saab convertible 9 years ago after looking for almost 2 years

My last stick was a 9-3 Aero convertible. Loved it.

 

[J187Money]

I use the regular sunroof on nice days and use the panoramic almost never. But I also have a convertible so I like the air.

Same. When it is nice out I always take the convertible and have the top down. Unless I need more than 2 seats.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Recently bought a CX-50 and instantly had issues with water coming through the moon roof. Pissed me off so bad. When it sprinkled, I got a little wet. When it poured, the leaks were worse. Unreal.

Then I realized the moon roof was open.

How do you like the car? I had a CX-5 (well still do but it's my daughter's car) and the CX-50 is on the short list when I replace my X5. I have to go to the office for work again so the days of 5000 miles a year on the car are over.

I use my moonroof even on nice winter days. If it's sunny and the car warms up, you're wearing a coat and it gets hot. Open the roof and enjoy some fresh air and sun. Definitely use it in the fall, maybe even more than on hot summer days.

 

[ConnZag3]

I have an old one 2012. It's a t6 R-Design with the Polestar. I love it except for this issue. Good looking, fun to drive, fast, safe, and reliable. I hope to drive this one into the ground for many more years and then get another one. You can't go wrong with Volvo, IMO.

I have a 2016 T6 R-Design with the Polestar that I've had from new and I agree it's been a solid vehicle. Been considering getting something new but so many mid-size SUV's are 4 bangers these days (even if turbocharged or supercharged) that I hate to give up the performance of the T6. Plus I've seen like 5 others like mine in the 9+ years I've owned so I like the uniqueness of it. I could never drive a Camry or something like that that's so ubiquitous.

 

[Scot-e]

We love our and have had zero problems- mostly use it for natural light and don’t open it much- but I like them.

 

[superjohn]

I have a 2016 T6 R-Design with the Polestar that I've had from new and I agree it's been a solid vehicle. Been considering getting something new but so many mid-size SUV's are 4 bangers these days (even if turbocharged or supercharged) that I hate to give up the performance of the T6. Plus I've seen like 5 others like mine in the 9+ years I've owned so I like the uniqueness of it. I could never drive a Camry or something like that that's so ubiquitous.

I really don't think there's that many of them out there.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I really don't think there's that many of them out there.

Nope. Even the XC60 and XC90 is a 4 cyl turbo. Have to really go up a size to get a turbo 6 cyl now. Honda Passport still has a NA V6 because Honda never liked turbos.

@ConnZag3 the only midsize SUV that isn't ubiquitous and compares might be the Alpha Romeo Stelvio. The turbo 6 (505 HP) is gone now, but you can find lightly used ones.

 

[Chuck]

How do you like the car? I had a CX-5 (well still do but it's my daughter's car) and the CX-50 is on the short list when I replace my X5. I have to go to the office for work again so the days of 5000 miles a year on the car are over.

I use my moonroof even on nice winter days. If it's sunny and the car warms up, you're wearing a coat and it gets hot. Open the roof and enjoy some fresh air and sun. Definitely use it in the fall, maybe even more than on hot summer days.

Interesting re Doves issue. We bought our kids a CX-30 two years ago. We got the trim that included a moonroof, but there was some type of shortage so they gave a discount. In a small car like the CX-30 I thought the moon roof would be nice to feel less claustrophobic, but it doesn't seem to bother the kids and maybe they pulled them because they were leaking.

We love the CX-30. I enjoy driving it once in a while when they are home. It has all the safety features of more expensive cars and a classy interior.

 

[Excalibur]

A lot of the pre-owned cars on my list have this feature and I don't feel comfortable with it.

It's a nice feature, but I'm concerned about long term maintenance and potentially issues like full replacement, leaks or wind noise.

Thoughts? Anyone have a car with this type of sunroof?

We have a 2017 with this feature (wife's car). No issues at all. We never open it but it does make the car feel more open.

 

[SoFla Steve]

I'm curious as to how much people actually use their sunroof. I've had so many cars that had a sunroof, and I rarely use it.

Agree. A sunroof used to be a "must" for me, but not anymore. I used it all the time in CT. Down here in Florida, almost never.

 

[mussels]

Excellent advice- I had an issue with drains on Subaru causing water into dashboard.
Strongly suggest routinely cleaning- especially if you don't garage your vehicle

If anyone is interested in actually doing this, open your sun roof and pour some water in the little trough around the perimeter. Based on my experience with my vehicle, there are likely drains locared in the front “corners” of the trough.

if your drains are clear you should see a puddle of water under each side of your car. In my case, one drain was clogged and one clear. ( I park on a street with a slight crown so water runs to one side) During a normal rain one drain handled things, and my car interior got wet only after heavy rain.

To free the clog, I used the conical rubber tipped attachmet that came with my inflater, but you have to be careful and not go crazy with this or you risk blowing the tubing off its connection.