# Sunroof or Moonroof, that is the question? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 12, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575 "2011-10-12T19:17:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MikeChm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@MikeChm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeChm)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/1 "2011-10-12T19:17:43Z")
Just wondering, what is the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof? I just bought a 2006 Honda Civc EX Coupe and it has a moonroof. Does anyone know? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/2 "2011-10-12T19:31:50Z")
The spelling. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/3 "2011-10-12T19:34:26Z")
Yep, they mean the same thing now. One possible difference is that moonroof might refer to one that is glass instead of metal. But that’s just a guess. ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/4 "2011-10-12T19:42:10Z")
The name was changed from Sun Roof to Moon Roof when people found out how badly the sun roof leaked. Andy Williams sang “Moon River” not “Sun River”. ---
**Author:** ![chaissos](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/chaissos/32/2347_2.png) [@chaissos](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chaissos)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/5 "2011-10-12T19:50:00Z")
No, the difference is that a sunroof is clear glass, where a moon roof is smoked. um, I guess a sunroof can also be metal, but a moonroof is always smoked glass. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/6 "2011-10-12T20:01:17Z")
I believe “chaissos” is correct. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/7 "2011-10-12T20:13:57Z")
Originally, a sunroof was non-glass, while a moon roof (smoked or not) was glass. Moon Roof was a marketing term for Ford’s glass panel roof. Nowadays, the terms are interchangeable, though some of us anal retentive types still reserve “sun roof” for metal panels. ---
**Author:** ![MikeChm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@MikeChm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeChm)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/8 "2011-10-12T20:14:07Z")
OK, thanks guys. ---
**Author:** ![meaneyedcatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meaneyedcatz/32/692_2.png) [@meaneyedcatz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meaneyedcatz)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/9 "2011-10-12T23:03:53Z")
its a marketing thing ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/10 "2011-10-13T04:36:45Z")
They BOTH leak equally well…mildew makers… ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/11 "2011-10-13T14:26:46Z")
Each is for those who can’t/won’t accept the challenges of owning a real convertible. ---
**Author:** ![mleich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mleich](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mleich)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/12 "2011-10-13T14:54:30Z")
I have always understood shadowfax’s description to be correct. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/13 "2011-10-13T15:34:25Z")
Yah, once upon a time in an automotive land far far away ther was a name change when the second one was conceived and they wanted to differentiate. – but now– Clear smoke solid panel sliding inner panel to expose glass. Sliding glass panel. Hinged glass panel both sliding and hinged ? ? ? what in the world to name which ? Guess it all depends on the time on the clock when you look out through it 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/14 "2011-10-13T15:49:25Z")
“They BOTH leak equally well…mildew makers…” … and both reduce headroom. … two great reasons I will never own a car with a moon roof or a sun roof. ---
**Author:** ![kinsha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5fc32e/32.png) [@kinsha](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kinsha)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/15 "2011-10-14T16:39:40Z")
I have owned many sunroofs, moonroofs ( whatever you want to call them ) and never had one leak or break. Factory roofs all have a gutter system in them with four drains one at each corner. Keep the drains clean ( look at them once a year ) always keep them closed when your not in the car, and you will always love your sun-moonroof. I personally would not buy a car without one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/16 "2011-10-14T17:08:31Z")
& I wouldn’t buy a vehicle with one. Even went so far as to special order the truck the way I wanted it and wait… rather than buy the one on the lot with the silly sun roof. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/17 "2011-10-14T18:03:39Z")
If I was shorter, and didn’t bump my head on the sunroof every time I drive a car with one, I might feel differently. In my younger days, I didn’t mind it so much because I used to drive in a reclined position. These days, with an older body, I have to sit upright, and there’s no room for a sunroof. ---
**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:** [October 14, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/18 "2011-10-14T18:08:00Z")
@kinsha - I imagine most people don’t have problems with their sunroofs, but a fair number do. Search on ‘sunroof drain’, you’ll see lots of folks with that problem. Like Whitey I don’t fit in any car with a sunroof, so it’s off my list. This eliminates lots of interesting cars. Those that love 'em, love 'em, those that don’t, don’t. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/19 "2011-10-15T12:42:05Z")
@Whitey: Look for a bigger car to allow more headroom I didn’t really want a sunroof when I bought my new car, but it came standard with it. The only time I use it is when I use my key fob(unlock button twice and hold) to roll the windows down and the roof opens up as well. This does allow heat to escape a little quicker on those sunny summer days. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575/20 "2011-10-15T14:49:27Z")
@bscar - you’d think bigger cars would have more headroom, but it’s often not true. Some compacts have more than some full sized cars. For example, the Tahoe/Suburban doesn’t have enough headroom with a sunroof. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sunroof-or-moonroof-that-is-the-question/68575.md?page=2)