Utility of sun roof ???

AlokSriva · 3rd December 2009, 15:25

Well, quite interesting and contradicting thoughts here on sunroofs..

To be honest, I personally don't see any utility for sunroofs at least in north Indian climatic conditions where mercury has a very wide swing.

During summers, with sun beating down the cabin through sunroof, it would mean additional pressure on the AC to keep the cabin cool. Similarly, during winters, one can not afford to keep it open lest you want to freeze.

Yes, concept of sunroof came into picture from West where natives rarely see the sun, and when they do, they go berserk

For us, where due to our location on globe, or for additonal love soorya devta has on us, there is no dearth of sunlight - why would one really want a sunroof?

Moonroof (pun inteded) is a different ballgame altogether where on Karva Chauth night, one can pray chandra devta while on the move, a la Optra couple

lsp · 3rd December 2009, 15:43

I am not an owner of a car with sun roof, but nevertheless, my 2 pence.

Not only sun/heat and cold/chilly winds, at times one would be discouraged to use the sunroof due to smoke, pollution and dust in the environment. Dare to open one, during pleasant weather, on one of congested city roads.

With your car on the winding hill roads and pleasant weather its a different game altogether. I think Kerala should offer many such opportunities.

Go for the sunroof if you think you would be using it. If it was going to be used as a pure city car I wouldnt go for it. But if you plan to make trips to Munnar and similar places, I would strongly recommend having it.

McLaren Rulez · 3rd December 2009, 19:38

Guys, the OP is not bothered with the utility of a sunroof. He wants the airbags and that version comes with the sunroof. He merely wants to know if the sunroof will cause problems or not. The usefulness of a sunroof is irrelevant to this discussion.

twinblades · 3rd December 2009, 21:25

I don't think it should be a problem. Usually the whether in Kerala is so humid the chances are that you will never open it. On a personal note, I never really understood the purpose of the sunroof.

.anshuman · 3rd December 2009, 22:18

Please dont take salesmen seriously on such issues, they promote whatever they have in stock.

It is on you to decide whether you need the sunroof or not, its strictly personal choice. Though sunroof has a very little practical use in our country.

redeff · 3rd December 2009, 22:46

I use the sunroof every evening and night. It adds a nice touch! Keep the glass area closed and you are good to go!

Ravveendrra · 3rd December 2009, 22:55

To answer the first question: I have a Laura with a sun-roof. It has not leaked one bit in the past two + years I have had it. You can ask that sales lady to take a ride in my car

.

Now the gratutious advice: I did not see myself using the sun-roof when I bought the car. Now that it is there - I cannot live without it. It is great fun. It is also useful to vent stale air out of the car on a long drive or to vent hot air after the car has been parked in the sun. It does not affect the A/c. as there is a 'blind' which is an opaque fabric covered sheet that comes out and prevents light/heat coming into the cabin. You can push this 'blind' in on cloudy days to get in that extra light into the cabin or to watch the rain falling onto your head (almost).

Cheers,

blackasta · 4th December 2009, 00:30

well, not that I use it very much, but still a nice feature to have in one's car.
With all the pollution and dust around, its not advisable to drive with the sunroof open in the city - country driving is a different story though.
Are after market sunroofs advisable? I guess most of the leakages heard about are from aftermarket fitmets (just a guess!)

GTO · 11th December 2009, 14:39

Personally, I love the sunroof! Use is frequent over the winters, and rest of the year on the night drives back home. Can add some sparkle to those highway drives too.

Of course, its not a "must-have" piece of equipment. But if you get a car with one, believe me you will never regret it.

Ardy · 11th December 2009, 14:50

I use the sunroof on my vRS quite often and especially during this time of the year. In fact, I enjoy it during the drives in rain as well by sliding the inner roof / blind.

There is no leakage issues on the sunroofs that come fitted from the company. I have heard that the after market sunroofs leak sometimes; but not the ones which come fitted with the sunroof from manufactures.

I am sure you would enjoy the sunroof even in India. Recommendation: Go for it, and you would not regret it.

Cheers.

shankar.balan · 11th December 2009, 15:08

factory fitted sunroofs ought not to have a problem.
after market fitted ones could sometimes cause trouble.
the only company which has a good reputation in after market sun roof work is Webasto but personally I would hesitate to allow anyone to chop my car about to fit such a thing.
for the most part our Indian climatic conditions are such that one will very rarely open up the sun roof except perhaps in a colder place like maybe a hill station on a nice summer's day.
in the cities the pollution and smoke and smells will quickly cause one to close the sunroof almost as soon as one opens it!

GTO · 12th December 2009, 13:23

I agree with Shankar. Factory-fit sunroofs are the way to go. No ways I'm going to let an after-market chop through a body part of my new car. Sunroofs are best installed at the factory level only.

Tejas@perioimpl · 12th December 2009, 13:50

i own an i10 AT with a factory fitted sunroof. Trust me, the quality from Hyundai is superb. one touch functions as well. no issues whatsoever. and i do use the sunroof on late night drives and my kiddo cousins love standing out as well.

If you smoke, all the better to dissipate the smell as well.

Personally, i would not touch after market sunroofs from any company, but OEM is no issues.

i20 is an export car, the sunroof will be tested to no end.

Go for it.

sohail99 · 13th December 2009, 13:41

I just took delivery of my i20 Asta(o) with Sunroof on 7th December, and man the sunroof is awesome!!

I keep the sunroof blind slid-in(S/R window closed) and it feels as if you are driving a convertible!

+ looking at the early morning skies and sun-light warming me up when I feel chilly = Awesomeness

Its truly amazing!(I think it was just priced ~20k more than the non-sunroof Asta)

3rd December 2009, 15:25	#46
AlokSriva BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fremont Posts: 486 Thanked: 72 Times	Well, quite interesting and contradicting thoughts here on sunroofs.. To be honest, I personally don't see any utility for sunroofs at least in north Indian climatic conditions where mercury has a very wide swing. During summers, with sun beating down the cabin through sunroof, it would mean additional pressure on the AC to keep the cabin cool. Similarly, during winters, one can not afford to keep it open lest you want to freeze. Yes, concept of sunroof came into picture from West where natives rarely see the sun, and when they do, they go berserk For us, where due to our location on globe, or for additonal love soorya devta has on us, there is no dearth of sunlight - why would one really want a sunroof? Moonroof (pun inteded) is a different ballgame altogether where on Karva Chauth night, one can pray chandra devta while on the move, a la Optra couple
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 15:43	#47
lsp BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 381 Thanked: 188 Times	I am not an owner of a car with sun roof, but nevertheless, my 2 pence. Not only sun/heat and cold/chilly winds, at times one would be discouraged to use the sunroof due to smoke, pollution and dust in the environment. Dare to open one, during pleasant weather, on one of congested city roads. With your car on the winding hill roads and pleasant weather its a different game altogether. I think Kerala should offer many such opportunities. Go for the sunroof if you think you would be using it. If it was going to be used as a pure city car I wouldnt go for it. But if you plan to make trips to Munnar and similar places, I would strongly recommend having it.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 19:38	#48
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,390 Thanked: 5,107 Times	Guys, the OP is not bothered with the utility of a sunroof. He wants the airbags and that version comes with the sunroof. He merely wants to know if the sunroof will cause problems or not. The usefulness of a sunroof is irrelevant to this discussion.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 21:25	#49
twinblades BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: bangalore Posts: 143 Thanked: 28 Times	I don't think it should be a problem. Usually the whether in Kerala is so humid the chances are that you will never open it. On a personal note, I never really understood the purpose of the sunroof.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 22:18	#50
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,064 Times View My Garage	Please dont take salesmen seriously on such issues, they promote whatever they have in stock. It is on you to decide whether you need the sunroof or not, its strictly personal choice. Though sunroof has a very little practical use in our country. Last edited by .anshuman : 3rd December 2009 at 22:20.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 22:46	#51
redeff BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 356 Thanked: 272 Times View My Garage	I use the sunroof every evening and night. It adds a nice touch! Keep the glass area closed and you are good to go!
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 22:55	#52
Ravveendrra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 446 Times View My Garage	No problems and I love it! To answer the first question: I have a Laura with a sun-roof. It has not leaked one bit in the past two + years I have had it. You can ask that sales lady to take a ride in my car . Now the gratutious advice: I did not see myself using the sun-roof when I bought the car. Now that it is there - I cannot live without it. It is great fun. It is also useful to vent stale air out of the car on a long drive or to vent hot air after the car has been parked in the sun. It does not affect the A/c. as there is a 'blind' which is an opaque fabric covered sheet that comes out and prevents light/heat coming into the cabin. You can push this 'blind' in on cloudy days to get in that extra light into the cabin or to watch the rain falling onto your head (almost). Cheers,
	() Thanks

4th December 2009, 00:30	#53
blackasta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: WB 26 Posts: 3,406 Thanked: 2,917 Times View My Garage	well, not that I use it very much, but still a nice feature to have in one's car. With all the pollution and dust around, its not advisable to drive with the sunroof open in the city - country driving is a different story though. Are after market sunroofs advisable? I guess most of the leakages heard about are from aftermarket fitmets (just a guess!)
	() Thanks

11th December 2009, 14:39	#54
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,534 Thanked: 300,743 Times View My Garage	Personally, I love the sunroof! Use is frequent over the winters, and rest of the year on the night drives back home. Can add some sparkle to those highway drives too. Of course, its not a "must-have" piece of equipment. But if you get a car with one, believe me you will never regret it.
	(1) Thanks

11th December 2009, 14:50	#55
Ardy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 614 Thanked: 87 Times View My Garage	I use the sunroof on my vRS quite often and especially during this time of the year. In fact, I enjoy it during the drives in rain as well by sliding the inner roof / blind. There is no leakage issues on the sunroofs that come fitted from the company. I have heard that the after market sunroofs leak sometimes; but not the ones which come fitted with the sunroof from manufactures. I am sure you would enjoy the sunroof even in India. Recommendation: Go for it, and you would not regret it. Cheers. Last edited by Ardy : 11th December 2009 at 14:54.
	() Thanks

11th December 2009, 15:08	#56
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,150 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	factory fitted sunroofs ought not to have a problem. after market fitted ones could sometimes cause trouble. the only company which has a good reputation in after market sun roof work is Webasto but personally I would hesitate to allow anyone to chop my car about to fit such a thing. for the most part our Indian climatic conditions are such that one will very rarely open up the sun roof except perhaps in a colder place like maybe a hill station on a nice summer's day. in the cities the pollution and smoke and smells will quickly cause one to close the sunroof almost as soon as one opens it!
	() Thanks

12th December 2009, 13:23	#57
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,534 Thanked: 300,743 Times View My Garage	I agree with Shankar. Factory-fit sunroofs are the way to go. No ways I'm going to let an after-market chop through a body part of my new car. Sunroofs are best installed at the factory level only.
	() Thanks

12th December 2009, 13:50	#58
Tejas@perioimpl Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 4,423 Thanked: 9,582 Times View My Garage	i own an i10 AT with a factory fitted sunroof. Trust me, the quality from Hyundai is superb. one touch functions as well. no issues whatsoever. and i do use the sunroof on late night drives and my kiddo cousins love standing out as well. If you smoke, all the better to dissipate the smell as well. Personally, i would not touch after market sunroofs from any company, but OEM is no issues. i20 is an export car, the sunroof will be tested to no end. Go for it.
	() Thanks

13th December 2009, 13:41	#59
sohail99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,271 Thanked: 229 Times	I just took delivery of my i20 Asta(o) with Sunroof on 7th December, and man the sunroof is awesome!! I keep the sunroof blind slid-in(S/R window closed) and it feels as if you are driving a convertible! + looking at the early morning skies and sun-light warming me up when I feel chilly = Awesomeness Its truly amazing!(I think it was just priced ~20k more than the non-sunroof Asta)
	() Thanks