Installing a moonroof

[timbo59]

Hi again,
I'm currently looking at a few prospective purchases for an MR2, and one that really has taken my fancy is a really nice NA with only 70K on the engine. Lovely exterior, interior is immaculate, and the engine looks like it's been well taken care of. Only downer though is that it's a hard top, which I think partly explains why it's selling for around 4K - not too bad for a car in such fine shape. I REALLY wanted a t-top, but I could live with a moonroof, so the question is, is it possible to have one fitted on the car, and if so, how much would it cost? If it's going to be excesssive there's little point to the idea, but if I could have it done for $500 or less it might be worthwhile.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

[MR2Jedi]

I've seen it done on some cars/trucks around here by custom shops but $1,400.00. ouch... I wouldn't know if that a good price or not. Just what they paid for it.

[timbo59]

Yeah, at that kind of money it just isn't worth it. What a shame, as it's such a nice car in many ways. I just know if I bought it though I'd be wishing I had the tops off while driving around on a nice day.

Of course I could always get the oxy out and do it myself for considerably less!

Thanks again for helping out.

[MR2Jedi]

You're welcome. But maybe you should check around locally. maybe you can find it cheaper. I do know that many of those shops will not guarantee them not to leak.
Or just hold out for another MR2 with T-tops.
Of course if you want this one, maybe just wait awhile and get the moon roof later when you have more funds..

[moogleX]

speaking from personal experiance, even though i did not cut the hole myself :p i paid a dealership where i bought my 1994 toyota celica to put one in. i paid 1100 for the one that slides into the roof of the car, however it was the beginning of a nightmare. not going to get into that story, if you wanna hear it PM me lol.

now, unfortunately i had a bad exp, but it would cost about 700 for a nice power one,(what i ended up paying) but for a flip up like comes stock(not power), i would imainge is a lot cheaper (like 4-500) mostly cuz its a custom piece of glass, which is most of the cost.

my personal opinion is if its that important, buy a car with it already in(either sun-roof or t-tops) cuz once they cut a hole in your car, you cant undo it. or atleast be 100% clear and demand pictures and talk to the installer personally so everyone is on the same page.

[timbo59]

Thanks for that moogleX - At $500 I would certainly consider it more seriously. I'll have to ask around to see who might be able to do the job properly here in Florida. The car is certainly nice enough to warrant it.

Thanks again

[moogleX]

also, there is very limited space on a 2, my stock flip up roof encompasses most of the roof, and just flips up a couple inches, making it a vent and nothing more. the glass can be removed with a few screws though. i would talk to a shop about what is possible before getting it, rather than finding out later all you can do is a "vent" lol since it seams your looking more for the t-top/convertible exhilleration feeling.

[Piddy]

If you mutilate a hardtop pretty much every MR2 owner out there will want to murder you.

[timbo59]

Well I guess it comes down to your interpratation of mutilation, wouldn't you say?

If I took a can opener to it and cut an ugly big hole in the roof I'd say that was mutilation. Taking something like a factory spec moonroof and having it installed is another matter altogether - half the reason this car is selling at such a good price is that no one seems to want it - most people want the thrill of the TT's. I've watched this car get discounted week after week in the dealer's attempt to move it, and though I was after a TT myself I just figure it's too good a deal to pass up.

If I do buy it I may just be happy to keep it as and forego the wind-in-the-hair feel of the TT's. Just don't really know, to be honest. Simply looking to see what my options might be if I do buy it.

Thanks

[tHa kNiGHt FaLL]

keep in mind t tops sure have their downfall aswell. try getting stuck in traffic on a hot day... i keep sun block in the glove box for such ocassions


and don't cut the hard top... just search around for something else.

[timbo59]

Yeah, I know all about the hassles of driving in traffic with a top off. As mentioned elsewhere I've driven around in an old Fiat X 1/9, and while it's great burning around on the highway with the targa top off you really start steaming when you've ground to a standstill in traffic - and they have lousy AC wih the top on, so you lose out on both counts, especially when you live in hot and humid Florida.

Point, and take this in the right spirit, okay? Don't tell people what they should or shoudn't do. I see people doing some pretty horendous things to MR2's in other ways, such as with paint work, mods to the interior and exterior - some purists even turn up their noses at seeing engines heavily modded. Basically it's up to the owner to do as they please with something they buy, whether it be a car or anything else. If your neighbor paints his house a color that you don't approve of are you going to go tell him it sucks and to paint it something more to your liking?

As I said, I was looking at options to give me a better idea of how to approach the possible purchase of the car. The purpose of the question was to find out the costs involved, not to get your approval. Thanks.

[Piddy]

Cutting up a hardtop (the least produced MKII body type) in any way, shape, or form... is pure blasphemy.

[MR2Jedi]

Those tail's and exhaust look good on your car Russ..^