I've realised what my coupé is missing is a sunroof.

However I remember the trouble one caused on an old Bravo. So is it worth me seeking out a car with a sunroof?

Pro's and cons please.

One more thing to go wrong, also reduces head room.
However, mine works great and when you have it open when going through a tunnel, you can't beat the shit-eating grin that comes to your face from the sound

I would not change my existing coupe from a non to a with, but I wouldn't let it sway my judgement either way... it has it or it doesn't... oh well either way.

I miss mine, none of the coupe's I have had ever gave me problems with the sunroof

Love the sunroof on mine. Had sunroofs on three coupes and used alot on them all.

To be fair with the raising temperatures the a/c in my van has been fantastic.

You may find it a little harder as there seems to be alot less sunroof models around now. Think there was less than five at spa italia at the last run where 50+ coupes with involved.

My aircon doesn't work as it needs a new rad, it's not worked for 3 years. It's one of those jobs I keep putting off. If it were up to me I'd rather have a sunroof!

I love mine, but like others have said it wouldn't be a factor in buying another Coupe.

The headroom issue is strange though. I'm average height (5,10") and can sometimes feel my hair brushing the top. The car was clearly designed for tiny Italian men.

Pros:

• Looks great cracked open and fully opened
• Makes the interior feel a lot lighter and spacier
• Chicks love it
• You can eject rubbish/passengers/eggs easily without taking your eyes off the road

Cons:

• Something else to go wrong
• The sun guard looks crap from the outside
• Pushed back into the roof, the guard rattles around and is very annoying

The head space is an interesting one. I'm 6'2" and haven't really noticed my head being too near the roof in mine. But I've never checked how close it actually is.

I think my main reason for wanting a sunroof is the extra light it gives.

My last three have had sunroofs, this is the first one I've had without. I much prefer it. They all used to make a noise at... Well 3 figure speeds I have to admit. I never used them. The car looks better without to my eyes too.

That's a very good point. Nothing quite like a well polished roof.

I hate the F Ing sun roof I'm to tall for it but like some have said when its open and your in a tunnel you can forgive it for them 10 seconds but then back to head bashing

But how do you guys throw your eggs out onto every beamer or Audi that gets right up your chuff?

I've never owned a coupe without, only my sun roof equipped model! It's never given me an issue, but I'm child sized at 5'7"! It's a nice addition, but as suggested if you go into triple figures then you do get a little more wind noise. Not an issue really unless you spend hours at 120+ on an autobahn!

So pros - more light, more airy

Cons - more noise at excessively high speed, less headroom

But - regarding the original thread title - sunroof is no match for AC at all!

No sunroof on mine thankfully. In the summer a sun roof would roast you over here.

AC is best in summer and winter. imo.

In other regards.

Changing manifold,turbo,belts etc is far easier on a non a/c car. Belts should be cheaper and associated labour rate.

My car had both a/c and sunroof.
I have removed a/c to accommodate maintenance.

It does allow more light in.

I would suggest if a choice just find a car with both.
Rare the a/c will probably work but it wont be a choice between the two then.

I'm too tall to get comfortable under the sunroof + the car looks better without one, so no choice for me.

A lot I looked at when I got this 2nd coupe had a sunroof, which immediately ruled them out. And I only like a few of the available colours so it really narrows down your selection if you specifically don't want a sunroof and want a certain colour or two.

2 of my 3 have sunroofs. Personally I love the sunroof, and rarely have them closed whilst driving even in the winter. Even in light rain the roof can be tilted open to provide ventilation whereas the side windows always let rain in (or the screen washer fluid).

Mine has both

Love the sunroof for the light and fresh air/warmth of sun factor (it is cold this far north) and for being able to leave it open a bit to stop the car getting too hot. Other people say it looks good when open. I also like that the sunroof reminds me of how cars used to be (bit like the mechanical odometer) as so few new cars have one.

Don't like it for the additional noise.

At 5'10", my head also brushes the roof (part of the charm?). Not had any problems with it.

I like that A/C is good for demisting car, I don't like that it is one more thing that will go wrong at some point.

I'm in the lucky position of having not had to choose between them.

Whoever bought the car first clearly had to make some choices.....they specified a/c, leather and sunroof options on a n/a making it about the same price as a turbo without these goodies.

I'll resist starting a n/a v turbo thread just yet

My coupe has both air on and sunroof....neither work!

I am 6'5" and my hair (what's left) occasionally brushes the headlining, must be different seating positions.

In my Punto, like others I always had the sunroof open, rain or shine. I would also in the coupe if it worked.

On the other hand, I think the car would look better without, less to go wrong, and mine rattles it's tits off.

I wouldn't let it deter me on a purchase either way.

I've had 2 Coupes. One with SR, one with A/C.

Much as I like SRs (they hark back to the 1980's when a sunroof meant you'd made it), I'd still rather have air con on a hot day sitting in traffic.

I have neither a sunroof nor air con, but given the choice, it would be air con

I have both and they work.
Now my Coupe has lowered Recaros so roof height is no longer a problem, but windnoise and buckles are. Seems most sunroof Coupes get tensions in the roof and buckles, which may not be of everybodys taste.
AC is mostly a great pro, demisting and cooling.

Not a sunroof fan due to potential issues with leaks and wind noise. The only roof I've ever recently thought I'd like was the Stilo Sky-roof - probably only because of the design and way it works - though I'm sure its even more of a potential to go wrong...

Fiat + extra holes + rain = ingress.
If the roof is the same as the bravo I had then I wouldn't want one.

I have to disagree there, my coupe has neither, however my Grande Punto has both and I have never had a leak from the roof. Purchased new it lives outside and will be 6 years old in a couple of weeks.

As for the debate sunroof v aircon, they both have their attractions. In sunny weather when its not too warm or driving at no more than 60/70mph then it's the sunroof.

When its hot and in slow moving traffic, aircon every time. But even driving through Spain in August with 35C heat with the roof tilted open it was not needed on the motorways, just in towns.

Having a glass roof does mean that the inside temperature does climb quickly, but the interior is much brighter.

In the coupe the sunroof does restrict headroom. I don't miss it in mine although sometimes I do wish it had aircon when it steams up.

I prefer to have neither.

Aircon makes the car more difficult to work on, and sunroof is something else to go wrong + they're starting to rot now.

The last 2 coupes I've owned, I've deliberately sought out examples with no aircon or sunroof.

Have to say nearly every car I've ever had with Air-Con - I've eventually had a problem with it........ But I'd always want it fitted.

I have air and no roof, just how I wanted it. I would never have a sunroof by choice. With a helmet on there is not usually enough room.

First car I've owned with a sunroof - it's brilliant. At 5'10" but long-backed I'm fortunate that headroom isn't an issue, but the spaciousness afforded by the glass roof is a wonderful sensation.

Ok, at motorway speeds it's not so quiet but hey, who wants to breathe in the fumes. During the spring and autumn there's nothing better than to smell the fresh-cut grass or leafy downfall whilst tooling along

Sun overhead - nae problem, close the screen. If the screen rattles when open there's an easy howto.

This summer's heat/abroad: round midday, close screen, a/c on, sorted.

In future, for me, both

Edit: Having said all that the age of these cars can cause extra problems with sunroofs...
1. motors can be refurbed, exchanged
2. glasses can be swapped if the seal is corroding

Your sunroof may not be leaking but the cover plate at the brake servo (on engine bay side) probably is. Definitely worth checking if you haven't before.

Thanks Graham, I'll have a look.