eboniwoman

I just wanted some opinions about doing this after having the car for 5 years now. I have heard that aftermarket sunroofs can leak...but is that if you go to someone who does cheapy sunroofs? I mean can I take it to the place where lets say Honda would go to to install sunroofs on their cars? Help me out here...I appreciate.

The Phil

IMO its too expensive to be worth it if you use OEM parts, and too shitty if its aftermarket. Off the top of my head, you'd need a new exterior top panel, which might have to be welded in (if its even possible), new interior trim, the wiring for it, plus labor since you'll probably have honda do it (not that i'd even THINK of doing something like this myself). Way too expensive.

INVALID

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eboniwoman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just wanted some opinions about doing this after having the car for 5 years now. I have heard that aftermarket sunroofs can leak...but is that if you go to someone who does cheapy sunroofs? I mean can I take it to the place where lets say Honda would go to to install sunroofs on their cars? Help me out here...I appreciate.</TD></TR></TABLE>

From me to you, I'm going to just say it may be in your better interest to steer clear of having a sunroof installed on your vehicle. If you already had a hole or a current aftermarket one in there I would say, replace it with something better, but you don't have one.

Lets look at it, right now you don't have a problem, tomorrow you could have purchased and installed a sunroof on your vehicle, Sunday you could be experiencing a problem. Here is the deal, say you do get an aftermarket sunroof, at a reputable dealer, one way or another, your aftermarket sunroof, my oem sunroof, things break. Five more years down the line do you want to chance the possibility that your sunroof is now considered obsolete. Which basically means, you are going to have a hard time finding replacement parts, if you find any, and yes there is a site called obsolete sunroofs, but if they don't happen to have your model, you're going to have to spend another $600-800 to get a newer model replacement because the small $20 piece you need is no longer available for purchase.

How do you feel about paying for the same luxury twice?

How do you feel about turning a corner and having water leak onto your lap?

When it rains would you prefer to think of whether your sunroof is leaking or have assurance that the roofs is fine?

Do you like being able to gaze up at the stars through your sunroof?

Do you enjoy that extra breeze a sunroof creates on a hot day?

I'm not trying to deter you from getting a sunrooof, far from it, I'm trying to make you aware of what you may be getting yourself into. I've been there done that quite some time ago, and those figures are ages old, so by now, they may be lower or higher depending on how the market is.

INVALID

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xthephilx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IMO its too expensive to be worth it if you use OEM parts, and too shitty if its aftermarket. Off the top of my head, you'd need a new exterior top panel, which might have to be welded in (if its even possible), new interior trim, the wiring for it, plus labor since you'll probably have honda do it (not that i'd even THINK of doing something like this myself). Way too expensive.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Honda will not and does not do this type of thing. These cars that are specifically designed for sunroofs are made that way from the factory. Years ago, Donmar was the maker of the Honda sunroof installments, they do have aftermarket sunroofs that are BETTER than the OEM ones we currently have, but again, OEM and aftermarket, anything can happen. Again, Honda will not do this, what is explained above this other poster is something completely custom, I don't even believe normal sunroof installers will do this, it would be someone that does out there things with cars, custom things. Now, shops WILL sell you and install THEIR line of sunroofs that they have access to order.

Any further questions ask away and I will field as best as possible until I get tired.

civiccoupe94

i think its not worth it.. most of my friends have sunroofs and they probally used it once in like 5 years? even if you use it alot after you install it its still going to be very costly.

grlracer97

My brother did his own on his first car: 89 Ford Escort and it looked decent. I thought he had gone mad when I saw him standing on to of the car with an electric saw cutting his roof. He installed the single glass pop up kind and at first it leaked because the weather stripping didn't fit properly but he bought new stripping and it worked as if it was factory. He didn't have to replace the roof metal as I though I saw someone had written. This was about 12 yrs ago though so I don't know how it held up in the long run but when he did it, it worked and looked good and functioned. I have always heard that it is expensive to have someone do it and I haven't known anyone as crazy as my brother who would just cut their roof but I know people who have gotten aftermarket ones and they worked perfectly. Good luck.

eboniwoman

Thank you for the replies..see now I am going back and forth in my mind about this. Invalid...I see your points and they are valid...lol but I guess you are saying 100% leave it alone? I am feeling pretty discouraged but I appreciate your honesty.


Modified by eboniwoman at 10:43 AM 3/18/2005


Modified by eboniwoman at 10:43 AM 3/18/2005

bbarbulo

I know 3 ppl who've had their installed by a place in Toronto who does professional installs for dealer-installed sunroofs, all three are over 5-6 years old and they couldn't be happier with them!!!!

eboniwoman

Hmmm.....well I think I need to seriously think this one over and really do my research.

CivicEX96

if you really wanted a sunroof on your civic it would be better just to sell your car and get an ex

FireMedic

I used to work for a car stereo chain that had an OEM division that specifically worked with dealers to install Leather seating, cruise controls, power windows and door lock upgrades, and POWERED SUNROOFS. The sunroof kits that we got were specifically made for the particular car you were getting it for, and had to be ordered. Once installed, you couldn't even tell that it was aftermarket, since it came with a new headliner panel that had the hole formed, not cut. This was the premium option, basic install used universal roofs, and we cut your headliner and reupholstered it. price wasnt that much difference since the premium option was more but less labor charge, and the 'universal' unit was cheaper but had more labor charge.

I have especially never seen a premium version leak.

INVALID

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eboniwoman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thank you for the replies..see now I am going back and forth in my mind about this. Invalid...I see your points and they are valid...lol but I guess you are saying 100% leave it alone? I am feeling pretty discouraged but I appreciate your honesty.


Modified by eboniwoman at 10:43 AM 3/18/2005


Modified by eboniwoman at 10:43 AM 3/18/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>

Don't allow me to discourage you, as it isn't my intention, it is to relay my own personal experiences with them. I just want you to be aware of both the good experiences as well as bad that may or may not occur.

methos713

A friend of mine did this to his 98 civic hatch. He used the roof w/ moonroof from another friend's wrecked 95 civic. All he did was cut his roof out and welding the 95 in. Looks clean and its powered. I couldn't believe it when I saw it, but it looks nice though...just that he needs the interior for the roof.

eboniwoman

See...wow no I am no Tim the tool man Taylor or anything...but yeah maybe I should just forget about doing this...it might be too iffy. I thought about getting an ex..but just to go through all of that to get a car with a sunroof is kinda too much.

eboniwoman

Do moonroofs leak just as much as sunroofs? Sorry if I am pulling out all the dummy questions but I need a place were I can go to ask q's about my car.

INVALID

Moonroof is just one of the types of sunroofs, generally, the more expensive of most other types, but also more close to stock type functions.

eboniwoman

Thank you!!

Built Beast

all sunroof/moonroofs leak after a while, but I would never ever buy a car that has a sunroof that wasn't put there from the factory. I think that is something else you should take into consideration, the resale part of it. Some people would think it adds value and others say they think it lowers value.

Off-Topic Story regarding aftermarket sunroofs:
I saw a perfect white 95 coupe that was perfect(DX) walked up to it and saw it had an aftermarket sunroof and just turned around, the salesman is like "what's wrong?" I was like "I don't do aftermarket sunroofs" he was like "most people like sunroofs" then I just said "well I ain't most people, if it didn't come like that from the factory then I don't want " just got in the car and left. the car was truely perfect, had like 75k miles on it, and the body and interior was flawless, I was pissed that someone ruined that beautiful coupe!

regardless of how close it comes to looking like factory, you will be able to tell...

that is just my .02 cents, take it for what it is worth...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CivicEX96 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you really wanted a sunroof on your civic it would be better just to sell your car and get an ex</TD></TR></TABLE>

best advice yet and plus it adds weight if you are into speed...

Sephiroth

yah i had a sunroof on my SI before it got stolen and i barely opened it. its a once in a summer day kinda thing. Dont worry your self about it, your not missing on much.