Sunroof Addition!?!?

[Daemos]

If you know anything about body rigidity and how important it was, you would know that a sunroof is a killer...I can see why you would think Mazda was just "skimping", but have you ever noticed hoiw the Integra Type-R never had one?? There is a reason. It is a RACE CAR that they decided to make availabe for the public. They didn't leave it out because they wanted to keep the price down. If that was the case it WOULD have been an option.

Ever think why an Evo has one?

A race car...sure...adding a sunroof if properly installed wouldn't make even .01 g of a diffrence on the skidpad. Yes most likely at the most extremes you would notice a slight diffrence, but the diffrence isn't killer.

My spec V with a sunroof handles just as well as an ITR. It's been proven over and over again in Autox.

I really don't think if the MSP came with a sunroof factory installed, it would hinder it's handling ability at all (unless if you can feel like .01g of a diffrence.

What it DOES is add weight...but again...30lbs more weight...you're really NOT gonna notice a huge diffrence. Hell I doubt most people could feel a diffrence.

But it also depends on how big the sunroof is, and how well it is reenforced. The Spec's sunroof is pretty small, and it's quite reenforced. When pushing the limits between my spec and another spec with no sunroof, I didn't even feel a diffrence in handling ability...unless if you mean if I keep the sunroof open, then I notice a diffrence.

And no the MSP is not a race car, it's an econobox turned sport. If you want a race car, look for a used RX7TT which would be in about the same price range as a MSP.

The ITR is a little diffrent, it was designed from the ground up to be a track car...still It's hard to define a "race car" but my definition includes it being RWD or AWD...heh...so the ITR really wouldn't be a race car. But it's more of a race car than the MSP or my Spec V. (again just because it was designed from the ground up to be a track car, not an ecnobox turned sport)

But this topic was about the sunroof originally. I still say...I'm against aftermarket sunroofs, because they dont' tend to re-enforce the areas where the glass is going (with steel braces etc), and if not installed properly they will leak, and cause havoc. And it's one mod you can't undo....unless if you got like unlimited funds to spend...

 

[twiztedjeckel]

Anyone ever own a Camaro or Trans-am with t-tops and big v-8 ? Those suckers would pop out because of the body twisting from the torque.B]

umm no

 

[funnylittlman]

But this topic was about the sunroof originally. I still say...I'm against aftermarket sunroofs, because they dont' tend to re-enforce the areas where the glass is going (with steel braces etc), and if not installed properly they will leak, and cause havoc. And it's one mod you can't undo....unless if you got like unlimited funds to spend...

I second this...

the only way to "undo" it is get a completely new roof

 

[chuyler1]

Anyone ever own a Camaro or Trans-am with t-tops and big v-8 ? Those suckers would pop out because of the body twisting from the torque. Essentially the Tight suspension of the MSP would do the same with the sunroof.

Umm, FWD cars w/ transversely mounted engines do not have this twisting issue you speak of.

Regardless of why Mazda didn't offer one, I don't think its a good idea. You are gambling with $20K. If it ends up leaking what do you do with it? They can only cut the hole once. They can't just go back and fill it in if they **** it up. Plus it may not leak right away. A couple years down the road though, who knows. Sunroofs/Moonroofs even from the factory have been known to leak...so I'd say suck up and deal with it. Its not the end of the world. I'm sure anyone here with a Protege Sedan or P5 that has a sunroof would trade with you if you're so set on having a sunroof.

 

[mikesmazda155]

LEAKS LEAKS

 

[kwiktsi]

If you know anything about body rigidity and how important it was, you would know that a sunroof is a killer...I can see why you would think Mazda was just "skimping", but have you ever noticed hoiw the Integra Type-R never had one?? There is a reason. It is a RACE CAR that they decided to make availabe for the public. They didn't leave it out because they wanted to keep the price down. If that was the case it WOULD have been an option.

Hehe- "race car"..... Umm... I like my car, but "race car"??? I agree with the econobox comment after this..

Anyway, I would never put an aftermarket sunroof in any car no matter how well they say it works. you have the leaks, air noise, poor quality and in some cases, they buckle the s*** out of the roof when the tighten the frames and the roof is wavy as hell around the sunroof opening..

You also have to consider resale too- I personally never buy a car with an aftermarket sunroof (unless it is like a $500 winter beater or something). When someone says it has a sunroof, the first thing I ask is if it is factory or aftermarket, if it is aftermarket, I don't even go look at the car.. That is my preference though.

The ONLY time I ever converted a car to sunroof was when we had a complete factory roof off of another car and I had the facilities to cut the roof and replace it with the factory roof- this was in 2000 on a 99 Eclipse, so there was no room for screw ups!!! That is the only way I would do my speed also. But it really isn't that important to me..
Joe

 

[Pmpkinhead]

Thanx

I'm still waiting for the quote on the sunroof. The thoughts from the gearheads are greatly appreciated. I will keep you posted!

88 1.6L 323GT Turbo
99 1.8L Prot ES and NOW

#1244 (mspo) (bang)

PS: For the Zoom Clunk Update, They are Polyurethane with grease fittings. Summit Racing # ENS-9-5157G (Akron/ Talmadge, Ohio) 7 days, Still No Zoom Clunk Zoom Clunk WOW!!!(boobs)

 

[SpicyMSP]

dude don't do it. It WILL weaken your roof structue. I can say that it wouldnt help you in a accident. I would say no no

 

[Pmpkinhead]

I have the quote on the sunroof. It will be a motorized in-line moon roof with tilt option and a lifetime warranty for $1,375 USD. I will get a fax quote for my records and I will keep you posted.

88 1.6L 323GT Turbo (Vogue Silver)
99 1.8L Prot ES (Sunlight Silver) and NOW...

#1244 (mspo) (sun)

PS: For the Zoom Clunk Update, They are Polyurethane with grease fittings. Summit Racing # ENS-9-5157G (Akron/ Talmadge, Ohio) 4 weeks, still no zoom clunk!

 

[TampaBlackMSP]

I've ridden and/or driven in much stiffer cars than my MSP(and yes, I know there is a difference btwn. handling well and just being stiffly sprung - the MSP handles well!), and I just don't buy the comment by the dealer saying they didn't put one in for risk of cracking the windshield - gimmie a break, dealers come up with the most ridiculous reasons for anything...to try to sell a car of course...

But no, not now, not yesterday, not next week, would I ever put in an aftermarket sunroof - There are many more pros than cons with the MSP, and no sunroof is just one of those cons I've come to accept...though by not having one I do have the weight savings, stronger structure, etc. etc. - so I guess it's a pro too!

 

[Cirielle]

Well, I myself have decided to live without one again! I had one in my Impreza and it was great!, but now I have moved on to the MSP and I will have to live without one. It was nice for a while to have one, but I will deal!!!
I think that a factory one is a lot better than an aftermarket one! Plus, it just comes down to - who really wants to deal with the hassle of getting one put on! I mean really! $1300 and you have to wait for them to do it, worry about structural support, worry about workmanship, etc! I wonder if the lifetime guarantee has a little clause in there that states -
"Lifetime guarantee against all leaks. If leaks do occur, we reserve the right to caulk the hell out of it until no more leaks!"
How do you really stop a leak after you have a hole there............You can't! Caulking always deteriorates! Why do you think you have to re-caulk your house all the damn time (well not all the damn time, but it seems that you have to do a little here and a little there!)