View Poll Results: How do you use your sunroof, if at all?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 140. You may not vote on this poll
Clear sunroof?
02-27-2010, 11:45 PM
#16
Racer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Seal Beach, SOUTHERN california
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
4 Posts
you are right, but I doubt the little square moving part of the sunroof actually stiffens the car. On the contrary, the frame of the sunroof which is mounted in the roof determines the stiffness/stability of that area. I think the sunroof just adds weight to the roof. If they made a 911 without a sunroof, I would opt for that one.
02-27-2010, 11:51 PM
#17
Drifting
you are right, but I doubt the little square moving part of the sunroof actually stiffens the car. On the contrary, the frame of the sunroof which is mounted in the roof determines the stiffness/stability of that area. I think the sunroof just adds weight to the roof. If they made a 911 without a sunroof, I would opt for that one.
02-28-2010, 12:09 AM
#18
Another reason to dislike the sunroof is that it prevents having both a GPS/nav and a roof radio antenna. There is so little space available behind the fully open sunroof that there is not enough room for both on the centerline. For me good radio reception is worth more than the sunroof. I need nav and therefore chose the GPS/nav antenna but wish that I could have both.
02-28-2010, 12:45 AM
#19
Race Director
I suppose it was an economic/production decision but I think it was a bad move by Porsche to eliminate the delete sunroof option. Long story, but I had the entire sunroof assembly out of my '99. Bet that sucker weighed almost 50 lbs and it's mass up high where you least want it.
02-28-2010, 12:56 AM
#20
you are right, but I doubt the little square moving part of the sunroof actually stiffens the car. On the contrary, the frame of the sunroof which is mounted in the roof determines the stiffness/stability of that area. I think the sunroof just adds weight to the roof. If they made a 911 without a sunroof, I would opt for that one.
02-28-2010, 01:34 AM
#21
Instructor
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another reason to dislike the sunroof is that it prevents having both a GPS/nav and a roof radio antenna. There is so little space available behind the fully open sunroof that there is not enough room for both on the centerline. For me good radio reception is worth more than the sunroof. I need nav and therefore chose the GPS/nav antenna but wish that I could have both.
I prefer the steel roof, as it looks better than glass on the 911 IMO. Sunroofs are a quick way to get some air flow in the car in the vent position, and provide an open air feeling in the open position. I find very little buffing noise if opened to the first auto stop point. I open my sunroof on most days that it is not raining, or not so hot as to use the AC.
Last edited by Tom N; 02-28-2010 at 02:33 AM.
02-28-2010, 01:52 AM
#23
Rennlist Member
Sunroof Delete Option
Unfortunately, the last four cars I have owned have each had a sunroof and none of them was ever opened while I was driving the car. I only opened them when I wanted to clean the seals while detailing the car.
My opinion of sunroofs is they 1) are useless, 2) add unnecessary weight to the car, 3) add complexity, and 4) most importantly, reduce headroom. In short.... "Sunroofs! We don't need no stinkin' sunroofs!"
I would pay extra for a sunroof delete option.
My opinion of sunroofs is they 1) are useless, 2) add unnecessary weight to the car, 3) add complexity, and 4) most importantly, reduce headroom. In short.... "Sunroofs! We don't need no stinkin' sunroofs!"
I would pay extra for a sunroof delete option.A glass or plastic sunroof might also require a shade - or else it would need to be very dark. A shade would be require more height and weight.
A sunroof delete option would be good. A sunroof option would be better.
02-28-2010, 02:09 AM
#24
Too noisy to use for my preferences. If I remember correctly hitting 70mph+ it starts to get deafening (even when opened as far as recommended, not on override to get maximum opening).
OTOH, some days it's nice to get a bit of sun and enjoy the air movement.
No tracking use so I'm GLAD to have it. Seems like less "luxury" and less"GT" without a SR.
BTW, Clear sunroofs definitely require a shade where I am. Plus, when clear they are more obvious and they look like more junk stuck to these cars which are supposed to look "sleek."
OTOH, some days it's nice to get a bit of sun and enjoy the air movement.
No tracking use so I'm GLAD to have it. Seems like less "luxury" and less"GT" without a SR.
BTW, Clear sunroofs definitely require a shade where I am. Plus, when clear they are more obvious and they look like more junk stuck to these cars which are supposed to look "sleek."
02-28-2010, 05:14 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Newport Beach, CA and Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 4,327
Received 2,867 Likes
on
1,509 Posts
When I've had cars without sunroof's I miss it. Particularly on warm summer evenings. Open it up, enjoy the weather, listen to the car....wouldn't buy an everyday road car now without one.
A GT3 on the other hand.....!
A GT3 on the other hand.....!
02-28-2010, 12:15 PM
#26
Three Wheelin'
I use mine all time driving around town. Close it usually on the highway. With it open and the windows down, similar to a cab experience. If I'm carrying home some smelly fast food and it's cold outside, I pop it up for venting.
I've had loads of BMWs with the clear roofs - I liked them.
I've had loads of BMWs with the clear roofs - I liked them.
02-28-2010, 12:43 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
I enjoy having a sunroof and use it frequently.
In the eighties and early nineties, both Mercedes and BMW had
solid panel sunroofs.
My dad's 300E (back in 1990 or so) had a solid panel snrf as
did my BMW 318is (1991), which I had in undergrad.
Now, I believe all BMW's and Benz's are glass roofs.
In the eighties and early nineties, both Mercedes and BMW had
solid panel sunroofs.
My dad's 300E (back in 1990 or so) had a solid panel snrf as
did my BMW 318is (1991), which I had in undergrad.
Now, I believe all BMW's and Benz's are glass roofs.
02-28-2010, 12:54 PM
#28
Years ago (1960s, 1970s, 1980s) European cars ( driven in Europe) seldom had A/C. They had sunroofs to enjoy the good ( and warmer) weather and since much of the time the weather is not so good sunroofs offered a better alternative to a convertible. Today, in Europe, you see A/C being much more widely orderd and sunroofs, not as much. Here people expect luxury/expensive cars to have sunroofs.
02-28-2010, 02:15 PM
#29
Nordschleife Master
02-28-2010, 02:52 PM
#30
Nordschleife Master
The 997 sunroof buffeting is well controlled. Not so in the 996, where if the roof was opened beyond 1/3 there was a strong resonance in the cabin, mitigated by slightly opening the side windows.
I love sunroofs.