Pano' Roof - Why ?

[KM69MZX]

Hi all,

I spent a couple of months looking for my F-Type and there were options that were a "must have". But one I never wanted was the pano' roof. I got lucky and found the spec I wanted (P380, BRG) without one.

A) I like convertibles and been driving Z4's for over 10 years. They're great in the Alps, Highlands, Wales etc. Unfortunately, the F-Type convertible was never a contender with its tiny boot because I love long road trips, plus the coupe just looks so stunning.

B) A pano' roof isn't a convertible. Do you look up and out of it ?

C) Too much sunlight on the dash ? - pull the cover to close it. No sunlight ? - what does the pano' roof add ?

D) My biggest beef is that it ruins the look of the car. Whichever colour you favour, you've got this beautifully sculpted body and stunning paintwork and then spoil it by putting a darkened glass panel in the roof. Why ?

And yet this seems to be a very desirable option. I see it included as a significant selling point in ads and in "wanted" ads too.

Can the pano' roof lovers please help me understand why ? I'd genuinely like to understand why they're so popular

[WShudds]

I agree that the car looks better without a pano roof. For me, it wasn't a deal breaker as I've never owned a car with one so I didn't feel I was missing out.

Perhaps the case for pano roof is that, if you're driving it all year round in the UK where sunlight is as rare as a manual F-type , a pano roof makes the cabin more airy and bright.

[KM69MZX]

I agree that the car looks better without a pano roof. For me, it wasn't a deal breaker as I've never owned a car with one so I didn't feel I was missing out.

Perhaps the case for pano roof is that, if you're driving it all year round in the UK where sunlight is as rare as a manual F-type , a pano roof makes the cabin more airy and bright.

Hmmm, fair point and it might be interesting to sit in one and see if the cabin feels more airy and bright. But even if it did, I still couldn't choose that over the exterior looks.

[Purplecat]

I disagree - but everybody to their own

As you say maybe its a UK thing but to me without the Pano roof the interior feels dark and claustrophobic. In the 2 years that I have had the car I have never closed the roof blind and I think the dark glass roof is a nice contrast against the paintwork.

Do you feel the same way about the other windows in the car

If the Pano roof had not been an option would it have stopped me buying an F-Type - No, given that it is an option would I have bought an F-Type without it - No

But again its a personal preference - same as car colour etc

[Jimmyrn85]

Same as Purplecat, if you drive with the pano roof blind shut the cabin feels quite dark and almost smaller/kinda claustrophobic. When you look left and right whilst driving you can see lots of light in your peripheral vision from above. I like it, I'd go as far to say if I was to upgrade (SVR?) I would look for a pano roof as opposed to one without now I've had my car with one for a few years.

[Kev]

[smugmode]I've got the panoramic roof on a black car so it doesn't detract from the look[/smugmode] It's nice on overcast days to let some more light inside, the blind is handy to keep it a bit cooler in the warmer months, although I'd rather have sun visors which swivel to the window to block out the sun when it's low and distracting in your peripheral vision

[Keith666]

Morning all, our first test drive model, didn’t have a pano roof and as soon as I sat in the cabin it felt cramped and dark. This initial impression really made me think, could I live with this being a daily?.
The sales guy Paul arranged for a model with a pano roof to compare, it proved to be a game changer.
But it’s each to their own. If I replace our current model, then a pano roof is a must again.

[scm]

[smugmode]I've got the panoramic roof on a black car so it doesn't detract from the look[/smugmode] It's nice on overcast days to let some more light inside, the blind is handy to keep it a bit cooler in the warmer months, although I'd rather have sun visors which swivel to the window to block out the sun when it's low and distracting in your peripheral vision

The pano roof looks great as a contrast to white, too. And I completely agree about the swivelling sun visors!

[Cluck]

Wasn't even remotely a consideration for when I specced mine up. Aside from the weight and the fear of chipping it (though I know this is thankfully a very rare thing), I didn't feel like I needed it, certainly not to the tune of £1000. If I'd gone for a lighter-colour car then it might have been a consideration as I agree with scm, the contrasting colour can look fantastic. I haven't regretted the decision for a second, and much prefer the tactile experience the suede headlining gives. If I had an unlimited budget, and the F-Type was still in production, I still don't think I'd opt for the pano roof.

As for the sun-visors, it hadn't even occurred to me that they didn't swivel and only discovered they didn't when I drove the car home from collecting it, with the sun setting low to my right. I instinctively reached up, tried to pull the visor 'out', discovered it didn't and muttered a few expletives!

[Moss]

To the OP…
Playing devil’s advocate - perhaps you could rephrase the question…..

How many would spec a new F Type WITH BLACK leather interior, and NO pano roof ?