Sunroof or no sunroof

[Robert ferrier]

My question is I’m about to buy a Toyota Vellfire 2013 and would like to know I have a choice of two one has a sunroof and the other doesn’t usually get cars without. I’d like your advice on whether it is worth getting a sunroof or are they just a problem waiting to happen? 

[Chris.ac]

With the AC, i rarely use the sunroof, except to get easy access to the roof for cleaning.

 

There is the risk of build-up of dirt in the drainage tubes, which can lead to the water getting into the roof lining.

It's just a bit of maintenance once a year to make sure the channels are not blocked.

 

It's personal preference, although vehicles without the sunroof have the option of a larger roof mounted storage.

 

[Robert ferrier]

Absolutely no sunroof is one less problem. Thank you for your opinion 👍🏼

[Rojie]

I like to pull the moonroof shade back to allow more light in, without opening the roof.

 

If you camp that moonroof can provide some stunning star lit skies.

[Chris.ac]

33 minutes ago, Rojie said:

I like to pull the moonroof shade back to allow more light in, without opening the roof.

 

If you camp that moonroof can provide some stunning star lit skies.

 

Yes, it's certainly something to think about if converting to camper, as the roof loading is different if you have sunroof due to way the roof is reinforced.

[Michael Brown]

I bought a year 2000 W reg 2.4 Litre Estima, which had the 2 sun roofs in 2011, The front tilt up one leaked like a sieve especially if the vehicke was parked on a cambered road. I remember visiting a butchers in Stratford and it was throwing it down with rain outside and whilst in the Q I could see water pouring into vehicle. When I got in, the front passenger seat was soaked. After that I found the drain holes and ran a 2.8mm strimmer line down the tubes. I'd had to lift out the sunroof to clean the tubes. Later I replaced the front sunroof and it did not leak again. One of the uses for front sunroof was I used to have it open when camping and I slept in the Estima on a bed I'd made. The next Estima was a tin top as is my present Alphard.

[Robert ferrier]

I had the same problem with an old Estima v6 I got my local Machanic to fix it and sold it before that I had countless times of drying my front seat out or traveling sat on plastic bags 🤣😂 I never bought a vehicle with a sunroof again. 

[Rojie]

Vehicles without sun roofs do seem to be quite rare.

 

The roof structure is different, as Chris says above, and they seem to bought by convertors intending to fit a pop-top roof.