Team-BHP
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https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeeTee TSI
(Post 5366837)
In the interest of safety that this forum advocates, wasn't this an unsafe act? |
I was forced by my cousins to do so even though I was not ready for it and now with respect to my experience, the entire forum is right about it.
Answer is NO. Had a sunroof car but used it 4-5 times in a span of 3 years! The age old method of rolling down the windows to drive out heat or experience the aroma of nature always prevailed.
I was enamoured with sunroofs when i didn't have one. It felt cool. I wanted a sunroof in my next car so got the highest variant of the Octavia just because it had the sunroof. I didn't need the extra features but didn't care how much more it cost.
It was fun initially. It does have some minor advantages to passengers of watching the rain or the forest or cooling down a parked car quickly.
But the biggest disadvantage is how hot it got on long drives. It'd give me headaches. I had to resort to putting sun film on it. Oh the irony!
The Sunroofs were initially planned because people in colder countries wanted more sunlight to enter the car, to warm it up faster and make it a cosy place to be in. They needed the extra sunlight from wherever they could get it. The roof was one big oppurtunity to fit a glass onto.
Eg : In Europe, the HVAC temperature knobs start with heating first, and then moves to cooling. First there's the red area followed by the blue, completely opposite to India.
I don't think there's a similar dearth of sunlight in India that we should want one, specially considering the fact that it's
1. More electronics
2. More parts to jam (leaves,debris getting stuck)
3. Another place for road dust to enter
4. A safety concern since if unfortunately the car ever topples, the glass can't withstand the load.
If the weather/environment of the city we primarily drive in, is conducive, it may still make sense else it is just another show-off feature, apart from a real-world value in a climate such as that of majority India's. I do have an XUV500 with a Sunroof (my brother insisted on the sunroof) my Uncle brought a Creta particularly for the Sunroof and 2 of my friends have the Harrier with sunroofs (one is the webasto, other is the panoramic one), but once the initial novelty factor worn-off, i don't see any of the cars sunroof's getting used. In fact, on the Harrier, using the Panoramic sunroof on a sunny day was pretty uncomfortable and we had to shut it immediately.
Borrowing the famous line from Sharabi: "Sunroof ho to panaromic ho, warna no ho"!
Still voted indifferent because it wears off in less than a month. No matter what the weather is, one cannot drive with sunroof over. Curtain or moonroof can be opened but that too in maybe 2 months out 12. I usually prefer high end models where Sunroof comes as it but if there was an option of customisation, I would not pick it.
For those who already experienced it in their car may say 'Nay' but those who are yet to and are fascinated by it will surely say 'Yay'. I'm in the 'Yay' category lol:
It's a good to have feature, but not a deal breaker for me.
I don't worry much on the reliability front atleast for the initial 7 years, but it can get troublesome post that period especially in hot humid regions.
In our climate, I would prefer fewer windows rather than one more opening in the car for sunlight and dust to come in.
Just about any new car buyer is looking at Sunroof as a must have option! Not just kids, even their wife won't approve of the vehicle if it does not have a sunroof. Those OEMs who are offering Sunroof without having to pay for the top variant will have very good sales. Even those who have bought cheaper versions are open to retrofit as well by paying big bucks!
A sunroof is only to get your DP or a few shots for Instagram. I haven't used the sunroof since we have a 'surfeit' of the sun where I live. Yeah good to have but can hardly use it in India. I have owned the car for more than 5 years now, haven't use the sunroof much.
I think it is a feel good bit, and kids love it. With a panoramic one, night drives can be a bit more pleasant.
Beyond that I don't see it as a must have option at all. I wouldn't have used it more than 10 times till now.
sidenote: Wouldn't a carbon fibre roof looks way better?
Certainly not a must have feature for me. Certainly won't pay extra just for the Sunroof (Panoramic or other wise)
A sun/moon/glass roof helps when you are watching the sunset from a hill top at ~3000 feet and you want to try something different with the camera . :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kosfactor
(Post 5367642)
Just about any new car buyer is looking at Sunroof as a must-have option! |
You're right about that. My mother said no to the Brezza just because it has a small-ish sunroof compared to the Grand Vitara. :D
There is a novelty attached to it - at least for people who have never had a sunroof in their cars before.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bosespeaks
(Post 5366990)
1. More electronics
2. More parts to jam (leaves,debris getting stuck)
3. Another place for road dust to enter
4. A safety concern since if unfortunately the car ever topples, the glass can't withstand the load. |
Let me add another point here:
5. Possibility of water leakage when the rubber along the glass starts to wear out.
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