Any cons with a glass roof?
08-15-2012, 11:35 AM
#23
honestly am i the only one who just don't like the idea glass roof right above your head??? i don't care if it is shatter proof or not if you rolled that stang good enough your done.. thats why they have convertibles too be more in touch with outside while driving
08-15-2012, 08:40 PM
#24
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MO
Posts: 3,234
What's your anticipated use of this car? For trips, cruising, and most daily driving a glass roof is fine.
If you're going to become more hardcore about any form of competition, road course track lapping, or canyon running/blasting down curvy county roads, you'd be best off not getting it - probably as much for reasons involving reduced chassis stiffness as for the increased weight.
You'll also have to consider that sunglasses won't completely block distractingly strong sunlight coming from above. In the two cars of ours that have sunroofs, I've found I need to wear a hat or visor even if all I want is the headliner panels on those cars slid back, and this is even when I don't need the sunglasses for the view out the untinted windshields.
Norm
If you're going to become more hardcore about any form of competition, road course track lapping, or canyon running/blasting down curvy county roads, you'd be best off not getting it - probably as much for reasons involving reduced chassis stiffness as for the increased weight.
You'll also have to consider that sunglasses won't completely block distractingly strong sunlight coming from above. In the two cars of ours that have sunroofs, I've found I need to wear a hat or visor even if all I want is the headliner panels on those cars slid back, and this is even when I don't need the sunglasses for the view out the untinted windshields.
Norm
08-15-2012, 10:51 PM
#25
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 289
Norm, ive heard a lot of people make those arguments.. but none of them has provided any kind of proof that a glass roof will degrade performance. This is the first ive heard of chassis stiffness. I doubt thats an issue considering the glass is less flexible (and actually stronger) than the paper thin sheet metal on a typical coupe.
Regarding structural rigidity, I think the steel roofs are welded into place. Glass roofs are not. The added structural rigidity would come from the welds.
08-16-2012, 06:30 AM
#27
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 56
Norm, ive heard a lot of people make those arguments.. but none of them has provided any kind of proof that a glass roof will degrade performance. This is the first ive heard of chassis stiffness. I doubt thats an issue considering the glass is less flexible (and actually stronger) than the paper thin sheet metal on a typical coupe.
Where the Mustang really shines, though, is in its relatively low weight. Our test car gained just 80 lb. over the previous version. The majority of that extra weight can be chalked up to the optional glass roof panel and bigger brakes. But all said, it’s still more than 200 lb. (6 percent) lighter than the Camaro. Unfortunately, it remains nose-heavy in its balance, although you’d never know it by its crisp turn-in and ability to clip apexes.
That's from here:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/co...tang_gt_page_2
08-16-2012, 09:53 AM
#28
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Henry County, Georgia
Posts: 1,636
I dont know if you guys have ever removed your headliners and actually felt the sheet metal that sits above your head but Id trust glass just about as much as I do it. The sheet metal isnt doing anything if you roll nor is it adding rigidity to the body. The glass should be the same in that aspect.
08-16-2012, 10:22 AM
#29
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MO
Posts: 3,234
Norm's right on that one. The glass roof is heavier. By putting a heavier roof on, you are raising the center of gravity of the car. No big deal for a DD, but in competition it could mean a couple of tenths.
Regarding structural rigidity, I think the steel roofs are welded into place. Glass roofs are not. The added structural rigidity would come from the welds.
Regarding structural rigidity, I think the steel roofs are welded into place. Glass roofs are not. The added structural rigidity would come from the welds.
