Aftermarket Sunroof
 

I found a local company that will install a sunroof/moonroof for $925. This includes a lifetime limited warranty against defects, craftsmanship etc. My question is...has anyone gone through this process? This company will pickup the vehicle, install, and return the vehicle (two day turn around). The company came recommended from my Pontiac Dealership. The salesman is a friend of mine and told me that this is so close to OEM no-one can tell....on the inside, on the outside the installer told me there will be a 1/2 inch trim ring around the glass (non paintable)

so...

just putting that out there...

Any one done this? gone through this? attest to it.

I wanted to do it to my 89SE, but decided against it. A custom install of a moonroof that slides into the ceiling is risky I think...

Or do you want the kinda that pops up and slides back over top of the roof? That might be better. In fact I think Grand Prix is like that. Hmmm,

To boot I have never heard on anyone on BC having this work done :?

Sorry man :(

this is a glass cover that either pops up for venting, or slides up and back (over the roof, not in it.

my dad had one on a truck (big quad cab Lariaet turbo desiel Jobbie)..it leaked water 3 years after install. . some gauges , door panel, and seats were damaged. The musty smell will never go away.

factory auto warntee will not cover it or the damages because its "afermarket". The aftermarket company went belly up.

I ask to you, ford/gm/honda.. will be around for a "lifetime" will this company?

IMO never get an aftermarket sunroof/moonroof. One good rain/snow and your car is destroyed.

Snow is'nt going to be a problem. Normally I would agree with you about risking it, however, these people come highly recommended from my Pontiac Dealership. Im going to call and find out more details...like are they nationally affiliated with anyone, how long have they been in business, who underwrites the warranty (in the event the sunroof company goes belly up, I can deal with a third party). I will do some more research...

Thanks for your opnion, thats what Im looking for!!!

Mike

All sunroofs from what I heard are made aftermarket anyway. Maybe the sources I got that from were wrong.

While as I understand it that Yes all sunroofs are aftermarket But when a car is made with a factory roof, when made the roof will prefabed a hole that is perfect fit ready for that aftermarket roof. This way least amount of leakage.

I'm sure that there are some good sunroof places out there. If you go this route I would definitly would find a shop that will gurantee there work/product for life of car. I would just be scared to watch the guy who cuts the hole. I could just see him there standing on the roof With a chain saw in hand and he has a BIG SMILE on his face. :shock:

The info I got is when a factory sunroof is installed, becuase it is "punched" into the sheet metal (no seam, or trim) they have to install drainage lines, these typically run to drainage lines that are already in place, and 9 times out of 10 if there is going to be a leak its becuase of a problem with one of these drainage lines. The sunroof/moonroof that I am going to have installed is designed to not let any water in, so no drainage lines. It has a "limited lifetime warranty"...as long as I own the car, I have a warranty. The second I sell it...pooof....

I am going to ask the shop owner to take pics before/during/after install so I can share with the rest of you (interested) mugs.

If you beleive that, leme sell you some swampland. :D
when buying my car I too heard that " all cars that have sunroofs, are done 'aftermarket' the instant they get of the boat".
That may be partilly true but the mafature has done some prep work in advance for a sunroof ie= the dranage lines and or, electral switches in factory locations.
If you are going to move foward with this I strongly suggest 2 things:

A: call youe\r insurance , find out what exactally what they cover, and reccommend. They will have handeled clames of damaged sunroofs before and can give you some experience. Expecially the auto apraiser, he/she has seen everything with wheels before.

B: demand for 5 prior customers that are 3+ years old who have had this done. talk to them (in person) to see what problems they have had (if any). If the compamy cant produce or refuse...walk away.
trust me man that musty smell in my dads truck pisses me off everytime I get into it, and its there for life.

cheers
chad

PPS if you live in a "sunshine state".. to words ' Dry Rot' . that sunroof will leak. Its a matter of when not if.

PPSS ask them why is this a Limited warntee? what changes when you sell the car that *poof* the coverage is gone... :?

thanks for the "rain"! I will investiage further!

Much appreciated.