Solid Roof?

[Krootie]

Just wondering - how does everyone feels about the standard roof in the Smart? Does the shade do sufficient work in the summer heat?

Saw in another thread where you can request the "Solid Roof" - no additional charge. (I'm working on my dream list.)

[bottlerocket]

I love the panorama roof, an dwhile it does seem to get hotter in the summer I'm unsure as how the solid roof improves anything. It's still a think piece of black plastic no?

I bought a heat shield fir it if it really gets hot, and if I were to do it again I'd still go panorama

[JPaul]

Too many posts/threads on the subject to mention. In a nutshell, it gets pretty hot if the car is in the sun, even with the shade drawn. That's why several suppliers and members have made extra shades. Some are really nice and custom made to the smart's dimensions, other are home made cardboard and reflecting plastics.
IMHO, the spacey feeling of the clear roof out weights the heat. But that's just me...

Check our supporting vendors (bottom left corner tab).

[SubSlr88]

I've got the pano roof too. Since the sun can cook the inside of your car here in FL I installed a windshield sunshade above the factory sunscreen. Between that and the one for the windshield the car stays tolerable in the summer heat. Oh, and I crack the windows about an inch.
In the fall I removed the windshield sunshade overhead and enjoy the sunshine.
BTW, the newly designed sunscreen seems to be denser than the old model, too. But I don't think it'll help much to keep heat out. I think a solid roof would still transfer the heat to the inside . . . at least with the pano roof you can put something above to help out some.

[VinceLA]

If I were to configure all over again, it will be solid roof.

The panorama is a nice touch but the heat is just unbearable. Initially it was a troubled shade which now Smart USA has an updated part. But even after having the updated shade installed, I don't use it.

[TomfromPA]

Like the panoramic roof.... but not the factory roof screen. It has issues and sometimes requires tinkering....

[Big Panda]

SOLID ROOF? NO WAY, not me. I LOVE the 'glass' roof of the Passion. Can't speak as to what it's like in the summer, but I would think the sunshade would do fine.

But THIS time of year? It's great to get in the car when it's sunny and 30 and the interior is a decent temp. Just have to remember to put up the windshield shade and close the sunshade on the roof while it's parked at work for the day. Otherwise......HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

[dennyrex]

I thought the solid roof on the 08 pure was a plus. I love it, and think it looks great. adds texture to an otherwise smooth monochrome black car. very happy with it.

[Carlarm]

I bought an orphan last August with panorama roof. To me it was a fun once kind of thing and then unbearably hot (even with shade closed) when the weather got warm. I modified a sunshade meant for the windshield to fit between the shade and the roof. This helped but I pulled the factory shade off the track in the process of installing it. I then sold the '08 Passion and configured an '09 with a solid roof plus a bunch of other options I really wanted. I took delivery of the '09 three weeks ago. We haven't had any hot weather yet so I can't say for sure it is cooler. Ever hear of the greenhouse effect? Won't happen with a solid-roof.

Consider getting the Cabrio. I test drove one and really liked it but didn't want to spring for the extra cost. I already own another car that is a convertible. I prefer driving this at night or in overcast weather. When it gets cold just turn the heater way up.

[lkern]

Love the Pano.
And let's face a small fact here: No matter HOW hot it gets out side and no matter how hot the inside of the car gets in the parking lot, the smart is so small that 10 seconds driving with the windows down cools it off completely.