Sunroofs .. Are they always trouble prone?

[orconn]

I have noticed that a lot of people looking for a used car make the "sunroof" a "must have" on their equipment list when looking for a car to purchase.

Having had sunroofs on cars that I purchased "new" and in each case having had to have the sunroof repaired (repeatedly) under warranty and after the warranty ran out. The repair was not cheap, but failure to repair would have caused water damage to the interior. Almost all failures involved the sunroof coming of its' rails and failing to close and seal properly. Seal failure itself has also occurred. This experience of chronic failure of the device to buy cars without sunroofs if I think I am going to want to own the car for a long period of time.

[Playdrv4me]

That's odd. I've never had to repair or do anything to any sunroof I've had on any of my cars. Also, I like the way they break up the otherwise drab roof on most cars even just from an aesthetic standpoint. Given the choice, even with the risks I'd still take a sunroof equipped version of a car over a non-sunroof model any day of the week. The exception to this is aftermarket sunroofs, which are usually a disaster from day one.

[ga_etc]

I haven't had a domestic car with a sunroof yet, but I have had three Hondas with them. None of them have ever leaked unless I forgot to close it lol. I had a '98 Camaro that I traded in on the ETC that was a T-Top car. It would leak unless I had the driver side in there just right.

[Jesda]

I've never had major problems, but I use them frequently when I have them. I think that keeps all the joints moving and prevents them from seizing.

On the Q45 I had the rails lubricated once to prevent some light sticking while closing, and I replaced a switch. I routinely made sure the drain holes were clear.

[hueterm]

I've had factory roofs on the following, none ever has had a problem:

'77 GP
'83 GP
'99 GP
'02 Avalanche
'04 Avalanche
'04 EXT

[ryannel2003]

I had a sunroof on my '00 Camry and one of the tracks broke and the repair was going to cost around $1000. Declined that because it was an old car... but thankfully it never leaked.

I'm glad my Seville doesn't have one, because I'm sure it would leak. Everything else on the car has.

[Rodya234]

I know that some say aftermarket sunroofs are less reliable then the factory ones, but what do you guys think about them? I'm thinking about getting a sunroof put into my Deville, because I'm jealous of the one in my dad's.

[V-Eight]

I like how they make the car feel like it has more headroom that it actually does.

[Playdrv4me]

Originally Posted by Rodya234

I know that some say aftermarket sunroofs are less reliable then the factory ones, but what do you guys think about them? I'm thinking about getting a sunroof put into my Deville, because I'm jealous of the one in my dad's.

I would avoid it. If the car was not produced with the Sunroof already in place, it's a 50/50 shot as to whether an aftermarket one is going to cause problems and leaks or not. Most of the time they do, and then you end up with a nasty expoxied rim around your fancy sunroof just a few years down the road to keep it sealed down. So you basically bought a skylight.

[Red_October_7000]

Aftermarket sunroofs leak. Not bad if they are done right, but have a towel handy when you go through the automated car wash. Factory sunroofs not so much. No problem with the ones in my mom's Impala, my Suburban, or one of my girlfriend's MR2s, nor did the T-bar roofs on her other ones leak. For that matter the roof itself on my Corvette never leaked either, just the window seals, which in fact leaked quite badly when I got the car as the rubber had perished. Look after the rubber correctly and lubricate it, and use it with frequency. As an option they are worth it anywhere where it gets hot; having it open at the touch of a switch or pull of a handle really helps the car cool off as hot air rises naturally and the hottest air will be out in minutes. You can also leave it cracked if there is no risk of rain and the car will not get anywhere near as hot as it would otherwise. Look for one with a shade that is also integrated, you won't want to hunt for it on hot days after the car has cooled down. On nice days you can slide the pannel back and let the outside air in. They are also great if you smoke and others are bothered by the smoke; having the sunroofed cracked makes much less noise than a window and draws the smoke out nicely. One thing I can't stand is people who open the window when they smoke, letting in the hot/cold/wet outside and half the time ashing out the window, which is an uncooth practice and injurious to the paint. The sunroof, when tilted up, is less vulnerable to unwelcome incursions and removes the temptation to ash on the bodywork like a churl.

[V-Eight]

What do you lube the rubber with?

[billc83]

Originally Posted by V-Eight

What do you lube the rubber with?

Usually KY with spermicide.

(Apologies, that was too easy and probably unnecessary)

[Rodya234]

Originally Posted by billc83

Usually KY with spermicide.

(Apologies, that was too easy and probably unnecessary)

lul.

[thebigjimsho]

The only problem I ever had with a moonroof was on my SHO. They used a water soluble glue for the felt on the sun-screen. Of course, that can see some moisture because you can have the roof open in the rain at speed.

Had to strip the whole thing down...

[Aron9000]

Absolutely no problems on the one in my 1991 Brougham. Its a factory job though. I love the sunroof since hardly any of these cars had them back then, and this one is freaking huge, not like the mail slot on my friend's Acura RSX.

If you are tall, be aware that they do take a couple inches of headroom out.