# Aftermarket sunroof **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 1, 2021, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637 "2021-11-01T17:06:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637/1 "2021-11-01T17:06:20Z")
So it’s time to at least start thinking about a new car. Sun/moon roof is an absolute requirement for me; I’ve always had one & use mine regularly. One car I (\*very \*briefly) looked at that was a $15,000 option upfront ($2500-ish for the sunroof, but you had to go up a couple of trim levels for it to even be an available option). One of the other things in the upgraded trim level was a bigger, more powerful engine, which of course meant (significantly - 20-25% based on their figures) lower gas mileage, figure _at least_ another $5000 over the cost of the car. That’s about 50% over the base cost of the car. Uhhh, no! There was a time when if you got an aftermarket sunroof it wasn’t if but when it would leak. Have they improved? Can I get one with tilt/slide features that I should **not** expect to leak these days? Any recommendations of a (national chain) place that does it well? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637/2 "2021-11-01T17:32:20Z")
If you plan to sell it after 2 or 3 years and you purchase a top-quality one from a reputable place, I think you’re pretty safe. If you plan to keep the car for 10 years, and you park outside most of the time I think you are asking for trouble. Make sure the one you buy comes with a good and long warranty. ---
**Author:** ![pabstist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@pabstist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pabstist)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637/3 "2021-11-02T03:13:29Z")
I reaaalllly want t-tops for my Subaru wagon. Wish me luck! ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637/4 "2021-11-02T03:17:08Z")
No idea but I can relate. I went through this a couple years ago and not only had to go up a few trim levels, I had to rule out some perfectly fine cars that didn’t offer the option all all. But I’m still very happy with my Mazda3; I use the sunroof often, and the heated seats far more than I had ever imagined. (What the hell do I need a butt warmer for? Plenty, it turns out!) Best of luck in your search. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637/5 "2021-11-02T03:37:03Z")
I also have a Mazda3 that I love. You don’t have to go to the top trim level anymore I think, to get the sunroof, I think. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermarket-sunroof/953637/6 "2021-11-02T18:26:48Z")
My Scion has a dealer installed Webasto 700. It’s excellent with auto open and close plus tilt, close upon key removal, presets, etc. Material matched to the headliner. 200,000 miles and never a leak.