Moonroof or not to moonroof; that is the question!

[PauldF]

I thought I had found the exact '18 ORP I wanted and was about to fly to see it this weekend when it came to my attention that it does not have the moonroof I wanted. So here's my questions to the collective:

1. What are the pros and cons of having moonroofs on 4Runners?
2. If you have one, do you use it? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've used it for?
3. If you don't have one do you wish you did and why?

I can still get this one if I want it, but most people are advising me to wait and get the exact one I want. What say you?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[mgproudfit]

I dont often open the moonroof but I really enjoy the airy feel it brings into the cabin with just a bit more glass/light coming into the area. If you're the type of person who always keeps their moonroof cover closed, then Id opt to not get one.

 

[arehman11]

Was a must have option for me which is why I didn't get a Pro. My shade is always open and I use my sunroof almost daily in the spring/fall and summer when it isn't insanely hot. That and the rear window open really has a "convertible" effect with airflow.

 

[Jin]

another thing to thing about, is if you or your significant other are super tall.

as the belief is that adding a moon roof takes a bit of clearance away?

I wasn't looking for the option, but have only opened it maybe three times in the last 7 years? Lol

 

[billnourse]

Mine just came that way as it is what the dealer had that had the other stuff I wanted. I have never had it open, but I do open the screen once in a while.

Bill

 

[mscot]

I don't have one. Don;t miss it. Have had one on all my cars before and I just don't use it.
For this truck I want it to last for a long time and didn't want to deal with possible leaks. Also liked that I don't lose headroom even though I'm not tall. YMMV

 

[mgproudfit]

another thing to thing about, is if you or your significant other are super tall.

as the belief is that adding a moon roof takes a bit of clearance away?

I wasn't looking for the option, but have only opened it maybe three times in the last 7 years? Lol

I'm 6'4 and would recommended anyone taller to skip the sunroof for this reason. With the shade closed my head is *right at* the fabric. It's not uncomfortable and the pros still outweigh the cons for me but it is close.

 

[Breadman03]

I have mine open unless it's pouring, crazy hot or cold. I love the breeze that comes with the moonroof and rear window open.

I'd get a non-ORP and upgrade the suspension with the savings.

 

[vtecturtle]

Not a feature i miss nor needed. All my cars with them i barely used it. Opening the shade would create more glare inside on the radio/phone(for gps of course:spy

Yes once in a while it was nice tilted but not not enough to not buy a car over it.

 

[e60ral]

i've never had a sunroof/moonroof that didn't eventually start leaking. not an issue if you don't plan on keeping the vehicle for long, but it's something to consider if you plan on owning it for a long time.

 

[cutty01]

I was just thinking about this yesterday. I always order my vehicles with a moon roof cause they look cool. Then I realized I only actually open the darn thing once or twice a year and I live in sunny California where its usually between 60 and 80 degrees for a large part of the year. I opened mine yesterday and the sun was beating down on my head and there was a lot of glare.

It's all about personal preference. My advice to questions like these is - If you don't get it, would you always be wishing you had got it? Very rarely do you say, I wish I hadn't got this super cool thing that I would enjoy and make my life so much more fun. You are buying a brand new car with your hard earned money, get the features you want.

PS - The only one negative I can think of - Many of the aftermarket roof racks (Gobi, Pinsu, SSO, Rhino, Frontrunner, etc) now can accommodate a moon roof. The only only one you could not get is a 3/4 rack. If you stay stock, get the half or full rack, the moon roof won't be an issue.

 

[Yelkceb]

I use mine almost every day but I'm in sunny Texas.

 

[epjfsa]

i've never had a sunroof/moonroof that didn't eventually start leaking. not an issue if you don't plan on keeping the vehicle for long, but it's something to consider if you plan on owning it for a long time.

Just to counter this, I've never owned a sunroof that DID leak ('87 3 series with 180k miles, '89 5 series with 150k miles, and my M3 that I still own that now has 204k miles). I'm also not sure any of my family/friends with a modern-ish car of any mileage that has leaking issues.

Me personally, I could have gone with or without the moonroof. The wife voted that I have one, so there you go I enjoy it.

 

[spetka]

Have had it on previous cars that I bought just because it was a "limited" package. I never used it. I never really look up and back when I'm driving... 1. too dangerous. 2. uncomfortable.

Pros of having one:
Hair has that windblown look like the shampoo commercials while driving.
You get to watch airplanes/helicopters fly over you.

Cons:
Have to remember to close it before it rains.
When dirt gets in the tracks it sounds aweful to close.
Have to wear sunblock while driving, especially if bald.
If you get a full length roof rack have to get the cutout or order a different rack than what you really wanted.
Its raining, are you really sure you closed the sunroof?
All the way?

 

[DerbyCity4RNR]

moonroof

It is really up to you how important this is to your decision. I was considering a Pro and had no concerns about not having one, even though I had one in my 2006 Sport Edition for 12 years. It is nice for a extra light in the cabin but I didn't really drive with it open much at all, I used to leave it open to keep the vehicle cooler when I ran into a store or business but after some giant bird took a dump through the open roof, I would only use the tilt feature. On my 2006, I did get a little rust around the edge of the moonroof itself but it never leaked. I am short, so headroom is not a problem either way.

It was not on my list of must haves. Getting a 4RNR exactly with the options you want, while getting a nice discount, can be a challenge. I found one ORP with and one without, decided to get one with, as I felt better about it than the other one that had some of the pricier running boards, which i knew I would be taking off anyway.

I found a Pro and it would have been delivered in an reasonably small amount of time (about a month) but it was spec'd with a sliding cargo deck, which for me was a deal breaker, so went for the ORP. Obviously, some folks would not have one without a moonroof or without the cargo deck- God bless America (and Japan for making some great vehicles).

 

[rkwfxd]

I have owned several vehicles with moon roofs. I bought them IN SPITE of the fact that they had moon roofs, not BECAUSE.

Never use them, don't like them, waste of money and add complexity IMO. And I live is sunny So Cal. During the day it is too hot to open them.

My current TRDORP does NOT have a moon roof and I am glad it doesn't.

 

[TexasBock]

It's personal preference.

I didn't get one because of the added expense, but also I plan on keeping my 4Runner for a long time and didn't want a hole in the roof.

I have had only one moonroof in a previous car and while I did use it a lot and it was neat, it's not a must have for me. Plus, it got stuck open one time and I didn't like that. But, that was a Dodge, so probably par for the course.

 

[nismospec]

I have a sunroof and like others have said, when you roll every window (including your rear one) down, it's like owning a convertible. I get it, the top doesn't come completely off like a convertible, but man the air comes in.

I'm using it every other day during the spring down in Texas, but once summer comes it's closed until fall.

 

[joshoowa]

I all my prior vehicles had moon roofs, my TRD Pro doesnt. I've owned it for 3yrs and not once have I regretted not having a moon roof. To me its not a deal breaker, I probably used my moonroof less than 10% of the year in my prior cars. My last car was a lexus and it developed a leak after about 10yrs because when going back into full close the lever didnt go into battery to lock the moonroof shut. It's just an added item that could break or require maintenance.

 

[DreamsOfDirt]

Moon Roof

Don't have one on my 18 TRDORP, but have had them before:

The added light is great, but...

I'd keep the shade closed when I'd park to avoid the added heat

Then I'd forget to open it.


I wish they'd create one with a powered shade that opened/closed when you turned on the vehicle. Of course they'd need a manual override switch too.