Thread: Are sunroofs in Australia going out of fashion

I've had a couple of cars with a sunroof over the years (and enjoyed them)

Alas now I would have to wear a hat to protect the bald dome now so it kinda defeats the purpose

Mind you I keep dreaming of the convertible sports car

We enjoyed my wife's little Citroen Pluriel with it's many sunroofs, from a small opening to a full roadster with the arches removed. Could also have the roof fully open with stuff on the roof rack:



Also no headroom issues carrying over height loads:



But developing a melanoma (not because of this) has kept me out of the sun for the most part so this little fella is gone - looked silly driving it with an Acura!

Now the wife wants a Citroen Cactus!

The discussion about sun roofs makes me smile, Its true they are nice to have occasionally, on a lovely spring or autumn day in the afternoon or morning. The above comment by an asian friend who saw convertible cars in midsummer QLD, the type you can't tell it has a roof because the roof is concealed under a metal panel , and cars with big sunroofs. When I explained its an expensive option to let the sun and breeze into the car. He made no reply, only nodded and gave me "that look". ( Yep foreigners are definitely crazy, )
But I often questioned why we have them myself, especially those in the northern parts of Australia where a summers day is like the surface of the sun.
We had a second hand Toyota with a sunroof and it was nice for about 4 hours per year when we remembered to open it. It always worked and never leaked, it was an expensive option and reduced the head room. I don't think they're worth the trouble and expense, and unless it was in the car when I got it, I wouldn't bother, nor would I pay extra for second hand car that has one.
But if it comes as part of a package, like nice leather seats, extra sound insulation alloys heels etc. ok. I think if your car spends most of its life in undercover car parking it will be ok, but I can't see them lasting out in the sun for years without having sealing problems.

I loved the sunroof in my 88 Rangie, used to have it open pretty much anytime it wasn't raining. Then I got a '94 soft-dash rangie with what looked like the very same sunroof but it made so much wind noise when open I couldn't stand it. Same as the BMW 323i I had with one- was noisy and blowy. Still like em though.

Originally Posted by POD

I loved the sunroof in my 88 Rangie, used to have it open pretty much anytime it wasn't raining. Then I got a '94 soft-dash rangie with what looked like the very same sunroof but it made so much wind noise when open I couldn't stand it. Same as the BMW 323i I had with one- was noisy and blowy. Still like em though.

Eh ? - Wotcha say ???

Yep, mine too. NOT impressed by it , open or closed. And too small to be used for on-farm shooting. - Even a child standing on the centre console could destroy it it seconds...

My soft-dash is ridiculously lacking on headroom, due to the sunroof/headlining wetting device... being housed under the roof.
Noticed a Pajero of similar vintage in a car park. Not only did it have a sunroof but the designers had given it a , higher roof-line to house the mechanism, preserving the already generous interior height. (Originally more than the hard-dash...)

Correct me if I'm rrong but isn't the RR Classic roof a distinctly separate piece of metal, bolted/glued onto the rest of the frame ? Making a re-shaped/higher one for the sunroof option would have been a sensible solution..

Apologies for the Inappropriate language !

sunroof technology has come a loooong way since '88




I'd put up with rain coming through mine,,

actually Guiness has on one or two occasions

I have to wear a hat because of some rash spots on my head, so no sunroofs for me. I won't be doing a Bruce Willis head shave either.

Originally Posted by superquag

Correct me if I'm rrong but isn't the RR Classic roof a distinctly separate piece of metal, bolted/glued onto the rest of the frame ? [/I]

Yep, when I wrecked the 88RR I sold the roof with the sunroof and headlining, the guy was going to upgrade his pov-pack Rangie with it.