In light of the recent fuel hikes and unfavourable economic weather, there are several car buyers and owners who are curious to know whether having a sunroof or air-conditioning in a vehicle is a better option. The answer however varies depending on personal preferences and driving habits, but here are the pros and cons of each.
Pros of a Sunroof
A car appointed with a sunroof has its fair share of benefits, but above all it increases the visual appeal of a vehicle. In most cars a sunroof is factory fitted and included in the price depending on the variant of that specific model. With the sunroof open, you eliminate the noise of gushing wind that sometimes may make it hard to even converse with passengers in the vehicle. You can turn the air conditioning on if you have one installed, but this causes an artificial cooling effect. Driving down a clear road such as the countryside or even highway with a backdrop of a sky full of stars creates an unrivalled romantic atmosphere. An open sunroof also has the potential to transform a gloomy day into a bright day and make the drive even more pleasurable. Another notable benefit of having a sunroof is that in some cases it may help fetch you a better resale price owing to the increased appeal of the vehicle.
Cons of a Sunroof
The first and biggest disadvantage of having a sunroof is its cost. Most if not all vehicles do not offer a sunroof in their basic variant, and the ones that do are often priced significantly higher. Not to mention, higher priced models come with a ton of bells and whistles, some that you might never use, but still have to pay for. Another issue with sunroofs is the greater chances of sunroof repair in the event it is damaged, which can only be performed at an authorized repair centre. Sometimes the rubber seal around the sunroof may fall apart causing costly damage to the interior of your vehicle. Finally, you cannot keep the sunroof open in winter months so it remains unused for a significant part of the year.
Pros of Air-conditioning
Air conditioning tends to reduce fatigue on hot summer days and also eliminates outdoor nose and window fogging. Opting for air-conditioning in a vehicle compared to a sunroof will fetch you a higher resale value because it is simply more practical for the average or family touring vehicle. Adding to this, air-conditioned air tends to filter pollutants and airborne particles, which results in a cleaner vehicle and also helps those with allergies. Furthermore, it provides an odour free environment in your vehicle at all times, and also helps demist windows in the winter time. Lastly, even the most basic vehicles arrive standard with air-conditioning, and are backed by a healthy manufacturer’s warranty.
Cons of Air-conditioning
The only disadvantage to opting for an air-conditioned vehicle is the cost of repairs when it does breakdown. But this does not happen often especially if it’s a new vehicle. With some cars it can be quite common for rockchips to hit the compressor as it is located underneath the car which can damage the unit, its not just windows you could need a rock chip repair on.
The best option that will serve all year round is arguably an air-conditioned vehicle. Although sunroofs do have a certain aesthetic appeal, they aren’t enough to justify their value over AC appointed cars. But generally most expensive cars come with both an air-conditioner and sunroof even in their base models so if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, they are the best options to explore.