No Sunroof (US Spec) Vs. the lust for a Sunroof

7571 Views 15 Replies 6 Participants Last post by bigcube, Jun 25, 2009

G

Discussion Starter · Nov 21, 2008

Hello Folks,

I have asked blogger Goon to ask one of the Reps. at the LA show if this car(US Spec version) will come with a sunroof, since I live on the E. coast and can't afford the trip. We both agree that they will give us a " I don't know" type of answer, but he was kind enough to report to us tomorrow anyway. Some have mentioned that it will be absent due to U.S. safety reasons, but I on the other hand feel that they might be playing the 1st generation VW Beetle game, where the roof was offered 1 year later. The folks in Japan already have the roof as an option (along with AWD option and bi-xeon lights)
Below is an illustration(JDM Model) showing how far apart the roof is from the windshield, which really shouldn't be a safety issue for us since there seems to be enough protection in case of an impact (fingers crossed). Come on if the SMART can have one, this should have NO problem.

-Woody

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

R50Paul

· #2 · Nov 21, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec)

Ooo so that's what the inside of the roof looks like! Hmmm, seems to me that even with the sunroof, it'd be able to pass the strict laws regarding how much of an opening is "unsafe." For example, I can safely say that there is less of a roof on a MINI with a sunroof. So after seeing this picture, I can't see why Nissan said no to giving us the sunroof. I'll pick some Nissan reps brains tomorrow...

derux

· #3 · Nov 21, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec)

That would suck if they did the sunroof next year. Ask them if they will have the cube at the san jose auto show and when you can start pre-orders.

G

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 21, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec)

That is my feeling, it will eventually be offered to differentiate or keep up with the competition. So far the Kia Soul and I think the XB might offer
them or the one at the LA Show might have just been an early production model since there are SEVERAL months to go. I really like it in that funky gold or green color, but my taste my change when it finally lands here from Nippon.

R50Paul

· #5 · Nov 22, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec)

Yeah the reps are really dumbfounded about the Cube. Expect a typical three-tier Nissan model line. S, SE, SL. I'd think the packages may be pretty close to the current Versa.

G

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 22, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec)

Do you mean similar in title name of each of the 3(S, SE,SL) or the actual options or both?

boxster

· #7 · Nov 22, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec)

I really hope Nissan makes the sunroof an option at production time.

G

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 22, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec) (Updated)

YES, a few of us feel exactly the sane as you do. The roof helps add to the car's uniqueness and character. The ripple or tear drop that comes standard in the roof liner isn't present with this option and I think it was a mistake to have added that to begin with.

Below is a nice presentation of the JDM model caught in the UK. They will also get bucket seats along with different engine choices, but again pay attention to the sunroof-- Japanese seiji screen and glass visualization effect--love it!

http://www.youtube.com/v/uzcpT5gkF98&hl=en&fs=1

The Blue Potato

· #9 · Nov 23, 2008

It is a price issue - not safety. Nissan also has been running loads of research in the US and as of now, we can only speculate. But do not take anything you see now as set in stone. These kind of press launches at auto shows never give you the complete picture until it hits the dealer floors. See the pre-launched for the MINI, the 350z, and even the Scion.

G

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 23, 2008

Welcome Blue Potato and nice logo. You do seem to have a valid point and there seems to be a bunch of people even from this website that is very interested in the idea of a sunroof. Lamborghini and Ferrari don't offer sunroofs not because of price, but due to looks. In the case of the Cube, the roof definitely balances out the design from inside and out. I'm guessing that it will cost about $ 1200-1500 like the Mini, but if your holding a car for a long time it is worth paying extra and most folks who like such a car will most likely make some soft body modification anyway.

The Blue Potato

· #11 · Nov 23, 2008

ebm14 said:
Welcome Blue Potato and nice logo. You do seem to have a valid point and there seems to be a bunch of people even from this website that is very interested in the idea of a sunroof. Lamborghini and Ferrari don't offer sunroofs not because of price, but due to looks. In the case of the Cube, the roof definitely balances out the design from inside and out. I'm guessing that it will cost about $ 1200-1500 like the Mini, but if your holding a car for a long time it is worth paying extra and most folks who like such a car will most likely make some soft body modification anyway.

Thanks man - and bingo to your comments....you know, now that I think about it, this is another reason I did not buy a WRX a few years back...they just did not offer the option of glass in the roof, and they stood by that decision until 2006 or so.

So for the Cube....I am putting my bet as to they will offer this....this feature (after watching the You Tube link above) is just so critical in terms of what makes up the Cube...I cannot imagine Nissan removing this feature due to cost or just research that shows that the US market does not want this feature....Are they crazy!? But then again, we are just the buying public, right?

G

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 23, 2008

I agree. Without the public consent there would be no sales. Mini is one of the few companies that listens very well to its customers. The Cube is basically in the same category, and Nissan's research team should know that.

R50Paul

· #13 · Nov 23, 2008

Re: No Sunroof (US Spec)

ebm14 said:
Similar in title name of each of the 3 or the actual options or both? ???

S would be a base model, SE would have some options and an SL would be fully loaded. That's what I'm thinking.

hal9000

· #14 · Nov 23, 2008

No sunroof is usually a deal breaker for me...but seeing as this is just a glass panel..not a sunroof..I could probably live with out it. It's not likely a cost issue..this market is expanding...that's why Honda now offers Nav. for the US Fit...and contrary to a post in another thread..the '09 US Fit does NOT have a sky roof.

G

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 24, 2008

I think it opens...

bigcube

· #16 · Jun 25, 2009

that sunroof is pretty slick. too bad it doesnt open up. wish they gave that an option on the u.s. models

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