Question 4 Those With A/m Sunroof/moonroof

[LaserBlueMSP]

I want a moonroof really bad, but some people are telling me it drastically affects the handling. im not argueing that it doesn't change the handling at all, but I doubt its drastic. Did anyone even notice a difference? those that have it, any regrets, positive and negative feedback would be great.
thanks
kris

[AutoBox]

sometimes it can drasticlaly affect handlin...espeically if the car wasnt designed to have one..sometimes reinforcing that holds the car together strong is thru the roof and when u cut it up to slip a piece of glass that snot as strong it becomes weak....in the case of our cars...i dont think it would do any drastic reductions

[Mike R]

I don't think there were any reinforcments where the sunroof is. T-tops are the real handling killer....


Here's a inside roof pic of the P5. Not the greatest angle...
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1298.jpg

[Notorious]

It'll greatly affect you in crash. Look at pics of dr sounds wrecked msp. You could see a bar on the top of the car that aids in structural integrity in the event of a roll over accident. If you get an aftermarket moonroof they have to cut into that bar, so your "cage" around the car will be weaker.

[AutoBox]

yeh if there is a thick bar up there like notorious stated, ur basiclaly splain a piece of glass instead of soild metal....unless u thru in some extra reinforcing around the sunroof to trasnfer the stress u are gonna get chassis flex...thing that requires a technical answer is if u will drastially affect handling..i think he understands a sunroof is gonna make a chassis weak :)

[SpicyMSP]

my b/f's MSP has a sunroof. I have driven both his and mine, techincal driving. And I notice a BIG difference.

[AutoBox]

thanks spicy...there ya go laser

[clownphish]

What about stock sunroofs? Mine had the sunroof from the dealer - am I missing out on handling and safety here?

[LaserBlueMSP]

What about stock sunroofs? Mine had the sunroof from the dealer - am I missing out on handling and safety here? No such thing! the dealer added it and had an aftermarket company (ie webasto or solaire) before selling it too you, or if you bought it used the previous owner added it at the dealer or somewhere else.
Thanks spicy,
any other input?
Kris

[SpicyMSP]

You have a p5. The p5 was offered with a sunroof as a factory option as far as I know. When car manufactures have a optional sunroof model, they re inforce the chassy of the car to accomidate the lack of it in the body of the car. In a aftermarket sunroof, (by the dealer or a shop) they cut right through the brace, and cant re inforce underneath the car. There is a big support beam that runs right through where they have to install after market sunroofs.


I dont know, there have been alot of threads about sunroofs on this forum. And everytime I still say its a bad idea. If you roll the car, and the support beam isnt there anymore. You are screwed.

[AutoBox]

cant u get proteges from the factory with sunroofs...i can pick out a aftermarket sunroof from a factory installed one anyday....my accord had a facotry installed one verse my friends aftermarket one on his teg.....his stero coudlnt overcome the whistle lol


edit: thanks spicy thats what i though

[LaserBlueMSP]

You have a p5. The p5 was offered with a sunroof as a option as far as I know. When car manufactures have a optional sunroof model, they re inforce the chassy of the car to accomidate the lack of it in the body of the car. In a aftermarket sunroof, (by the dealer or a shop) they cut right through the brace, and cant re inforce underneath the car. There is a big support beam that runs right through where they have to install after market sunroofs.


I dont know, there have been alot of threads about sunroofs on this forum. And everytime I still say its a bad idea. If you roll the car, and the support beam isnt there anymore. You are screwed.Sorry i didnt see that he had a P5 yea those came factory with sunroof optional, those are just as safe since they had the reinforcements, they can not make anything that much less safe to replace a luxory item....
Kris

[Notorious]

Don't you have like a million underbody bracings though?!?!? hahaha




my b/f's MSP has a sunroof. I have driven both his and mine, techincal driving. And I notice a BIG difference.

[SpicyMSP]

Before the braces.

[clownphish]

You have a p5. The p5 was offered with a sunroof as a factory option as far as I know. When car manufactures have a optional sunroof model, they re inforce the chassy of the car to accomidate the lack of it in the body of the car. In a aftermarket sunroof, (by the dealer or a shop) they cut right through the brace, and cant re inforce underneath the car. There is a big support beam that runs right through where they have to install after market sunroofs.


I dont know, there have been alot of threads about sunroofs on this forum. And everytime I still say its a bad idea. If you roll the car, and the support beam isnt there anymore. You are screwed.

Thanks Spicy, I figured as such but the thread did raise my eyebrows on this!

[Crock]

I was about to get one added to my MSP but several arguments against it cocnvinced me not to. Some from this site, one from the mechanic at my service department. (yes i actually have a good service department) The potential negatives are just too much for me to plunk down a grand on this. It was a tough decision too because I want a moonroof as much as anybody would.