# Is a car sunroof one of the most overrated features? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [February 5, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001 "2025-02-05T20:00:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 7:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/21 "2025-02-06T07:58:44Z")
We have 2 2017 cars, maybe used the sunroof in one once. ---
**Author:** ![hiker16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@hiker16](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hiker16)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/22 "2025-02-06T13:01:19Z")
I kept the shade open in my old Mazda just for that extra bit of light/“openness”. Neither of my cars have a sunroof now, and I kind of miss it. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/23 "2025-02-06T15:18:54Z")
If I want or need light, I have map and dome lights, I am not a fan of anything other than a total metal roof over my head in a vehicle… call me a bat… 😁 A hole in the roof is just so the Aliens can abduct you easier… 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/24 "2025-02-06T15:26:15Z")
I’ve owned vehicles with them and NEVER used it. I hate them. My wife uses the one in her Lexus every now and then. I’ll purposely buy one with it unless it’s just packed that way and you can’t delete that option. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/25 "2025-02-06T15:27:52Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > A hole in the roof is just so the Aliens can abduct you easier… I have a glass roof with no holes in it. That way the extraterrestrial visitors can only identify me. They’ll have to take the whole car with a tractor beam if they want me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/26 "2025-02-06T15:34:22Z")
Here’s a list of reasons to avoid sunroofs: Cost, typically about $1000 if it’s an option Weight, hurts mpgs and handling (about 100 lbs, right at the top of the car) Mechanism can break Drains can plug, causing odor, mildew, rust Cuts into headroom, big issue for me, it has eliminated several cars I would have bought ---
**Author:** ![aslamaqib307\_192690](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@aslamaqib307\_192690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/aslamaqib307_192690)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/27 "2025-02-06T16:31:03Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > We have 2 2017 cars, maybe used the sunroof in one once. same here with my brother. He owns a 2017 Civic EX-T, never seen him using the sunroof for once after the purchase ---
**Author:** ![aslamaqib307\_192690](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@aslamaqib307\_192690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/aslamaqib307_192690)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/28 "2025-02-06T16:34:28Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > I am not a fan of anything other than a total metal roof over my head in a vehicle… call me a bat… 😁 +1 Not sure why people are still paying more to get themselves a free ejection in an alien attack 😭😂 ---
**Author:** ![aslamaqib307\_192690](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@aslamaqib307\_192690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/aslamaqib307_192690)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/29 "2025-02-06T16:39:18Z")
> [@auto-owner](#): > > why anyone would want a convertible. A hardtop convertible is at least pleasurable to the eyes(the only good thing in 100 problems) but never understand the hype for the sunroofs ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/30 "2025-02-06T17:27:16Z")
> [@aslamaqib307\_192690](#): > > never understand the hype for the sunroofs You don’t need to understand it. You just need to respect the buying decisions of other people. And, if those sunroofs really offend you, just avert your eyes when you see one… while making sure to pay attention to your driving task and to other things that _actually_ matter. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/31 "2025-02-06T17:28:09Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > You just need to respect the buying decisions of other people. If only one could avoid them when buying a new car. Just about impossible. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/32 "2025-02-06T17:33:36Z")
> [@texases](#): > > If only one could avoid them when buying a new car. Just about impossible. I agree, but if I have to “accept” one as part of a “package” or a trim line that I want, so be it. (Luckily, headroom isn’t an issue for me) I think that the OP needs to focus on things that _really_ matter in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/33 "2025-02-06T17:54:10Z")
> [@auto-owner](#): > > why anyone would want a convertible Why would anyone **not** want a convertible? As far as retractable, I wish the Miata retractable was still available. The partial retractable is okay, but I would have to go with the ragtop. Since there is no Mazda dealer near me, the point is moot. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/34 "2025-02-06T18:17:25Z")
Lowering the seat doesn’t help? Still, as long as ou can find acceptable cars that fit your long torso, that doesn’t matter. Have you tried removing your ten gallon hat? 😄 ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/35 "2025-02-06T18:18:20Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > Why would anyone **not** want a convertible? +1 Just as with sunroofs, _only_ the person who buys/drives the car needs to worry about this “problem”. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/36 "2025-02-06T19:26:04Z")
Added to that list - At night I don’t have a problem with it. But during the day driving with it open give me a headache. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 8:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/37 "2025-02-07T20:45:18Z")
I love my “sunroof “ ![20220419_194207](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/f/1f07d71553183e504e918ca2a60bfc921bf4d19b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/38 "2025-02-08T03:23:51Z")
Interesting historical tidbit: The term moonroof was originally a Lincoln marketing term, in the early 1970s, when a glass top was used in place of a matching sliding sheet metal sunroof. The idea being that one could “view the moon” through the glass portion of their roof. A sliding shade was included beneath the glass, to eliminate sun glare by day. In 2025, people still use both terms, sunroof, moonroof, but it’s more of a “tomayto vs tomahhto” thing. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/39 "2025-02-08T13:47:33Z")
Yeah, I still don’t know which one is which… 🤪 [https://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/moonroof-vs-sunroof.html](https://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/moonroof-vs-sunroof.html) > **[Moonroof vs. Sunroof: What Is the Difference Between Them?](https://www.motortrend.com/features/moonroof-vs-sunroof-differences/)** > > You’ll hear the terms moonroof and sunroof a lot when shopping for a new car, but what’s the difference? We break it down. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001/40 "2025-02-08T13:57:19Z")
It’s easier to grasp than flushing a toilet: Sunroof = moving panel the same material and color as car roof Moonroof = moving panel made of glass. Remember to put the seat down! 😉 [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-a-car-sunroof-one-of-the-most-overrated-features/199001.md?page=3)