Yea... I have the skyview and I wish they would have made it slide to the side so it could open.

 

gec - Contrary to the Nissan designers who came up with the skyview not opening being slapped 'slapped for such a dumb notion', many publications have lauded the skyview.

In bemoaning the fact the skyview does not open, you are overlooking one detail: the skyview is absolutely free. The only 'free' alternative that could have been offered instead would be the plain metal roof with no opening. Given those two choices, the free (and eyecatching) skyview is, in my way of thinking, easily the best choice.

When you mention a long skyview that opens to the side, you are talking an entirely new technology. This would have to be engineered from scratch. The existing powered sunroof costs only $900 because it is a technology that has been in use for years.

Some here do not understand that sunroofs (and opening skyviews) by design, leak. Nissan has engineered a drainage system for the power sunroof that catches the leakage and funnels it down tubes in both 'A' pillars. An entirely new drainage system would have to be designed for an opening skyview.

With a long skyview that opens to the side, you are sacrificing some headroom. If unpowered, the sliding skyview would probably be around an $900 option. If powered, I would be surprised if the cost was below $1800.

In summary, Nissan could design and make a manual or powered opening skyview as an option on the Maxima, but this would mean another (more expensive) variation of the vehicle, which means the dealer would be less likely to have the exact car a customer is looking for on his lot.

I feel the free skyview was a truly inspired idea by Nissan, and those feeing Nissan blew it by having it not open were probably not paying close attention during geometry, marketing and economics classes while in school.

 

I have the skyview and I personally like it alot.... Before I got my 2005 I had a 4th gen - 96- and the sunroof kept leaking so I didnt want to deal with that again..

 

Light, I think you were the one who was not paying attention in school....

"the skyview is absolutely free."

C'mon, anyone who has even taken an intro econ course knows this is a false statement! One of the cardinal rules in economics is that NOTHING is free, its as elementary as supply and demand.

Your homework is to read about opportunity costs.

 

Hey Light,

While I appreciate and respect your advocacy for nissan on this subject we will have to agree to disgaree. However, I did pay close attention in all 3 subjects, it is the engineers who did not.

Geometrically speaking the skyview problem was left half solved They obviously missed the Brep portion of that class. Specifically, Selective Geometric Complex Rossignac88.

Marketing wise it is easy to sell
It's Free - Tell them again
It's Free - Tell them again
It's Free - Tell them again

and speaking of free that brings us to the economical portion --- oooohhh guess not....seems 04BlackMaxx was wide awake in that class



hmmmmm really??? cuz my skyview (WHICH DOESN'T OPEN) leaked and I had to take it back twice before the problem was corrected.


Finally, let me reiterate what I said in my previous post:
I Love nissan but sometimes they engineer things way ahead of their time, but don't think it through

 

gec - The difference between your leaking (non-opening) skyview and power sunroofs is that your skyview leaked because of a defect. Power sunroofs leak because Nissan knows the design of most sunroofs will result in leakage, hence designs a drainage system to take care of it.

If you don't believe ALL 6th gen Maxima power sunroofs leak (by design), reach back underneath the front corners of a power sunroof equipped Maxima and block the four entrances to the two drainage tubes, close the roof tightly, then let the car sit out in one good rain.

You will be surprised how much water is sitting in the footwells and dripping from the pillars and from the sunglasses compartment. And this is not because the sunroof 'leaked'; it is because the properly designed drainage system was blocked.

As you suggested, we will just have to disagree regarding the opening skyview. Because of the large size of the skyview, designing, engineering and including a slide-opening skyview would probably add nearly a thousand bucks to the base MSRP of the Maxima. A power skyview the size of the one on the 6th gen could raise the MSRP by almost $2,000. Until such time as I win the lottery, that represents a lot of money to me.

04BlackMaxx - I am not insinuated that anything associated with the Maxima is REALLY 'free'. By my use of the term 'free' , I am simply stating that the skyview is standard (included) in the base MSRP of the Maxima.

You cannot buy the Maxima without the skyview unless you replace it with a power sunroof; an additional cost option. I am more than aware that every 'standard' feature on any vehicle comes with a cost which is included in the MSRP.

If however, as some here suggest, the skyview should open, then it would require additional design and engineering work and become an 'additional cost' option. If the opening on the long and unusual skyview was powered, the additional cost could approach $2,000.

All my original post is intended to say (although each person will tend to interpret any phraseology slightly differently) is that if the skyview actually opened, the MSRP of the car will have to be increased to cover it. I learned that both in economics class and in the marketplace.

 

Sunroof all the way. Nothing like being able to open it up and feel the fresh air.

 

Skyview looks sharp, but eh its kinda like a gimmick. As far as worrying about the thing leaking, thats what warantee is all about, and not like im marrying the car, I'll eventually trade it for a newer model anyway.

 

Eh? Does'nt blocking the drains contradict the design the engineers inteded and therefore isnt considered a defect, or even a leak for that mater because you caused it.

 

I have 4 perfectly fine windows for that

 

logik - I am only using the blocking of the drain holes to prove the power sunroof on the Maxima is not designed or intended to hold out water. I am not insinuating a defect of any sort.

The water will come through around the edges of the Maxima's closed power sunroof, and the drainage system keeps the water from leaking into the cabin. That is the way Nissan intended the power sunroof to work.

 

i personally like the power sunroof. i never understood why make the sky view for that you just look to your left of right and see how the weather is like outside so definatly i like the power sunroof.[/COLOR][/B]

 

I have the sunroof. It is nice enough but does not compare to a real convertible. Also, I drove a bit fast on the highway, and the headliner came off the roof at the rear edge of the sunroof. It is velcroed in place. The service manager told me they a a service bulletin covering this: better velcro pads get installed. I have still to get that done.

I would love to have a bit more headroom though!

 

I have the SKYVIEW, and i have had many people come up to my car and ask about it a bunch of times. I thinkits a unique design, and only on our cars (so far).. I think its great that the back seaters have the opertunity to open up their own portion of the Skyview, or close it if they dont want to get the hot sun beaming down on them... Looks awesome... Later...

 

Sunroof. The skyview just looks too weird and it's not functional.

 

Sunroof all the way, nothing like being able to open the roof and cool down the car quick on a hot day !!!

 

Sunroof of course

 

Sunroof of course. Like many say if the Skyview actually opened I think that would be the choice by many.

 

Ok, I've read this entire thread hoping to read about someone with my problem. I'm in PA and today was the first really cold day of the year and the front skyview panel creaked and groaned like crazy. Anyone?

 

REPLY To: Bwahhhhaa! In a couple years you suckers that bought the sunroof will be crying that it leaks or the gears are stripped or you need a new motor!

I will scoff at your poor choice, and laugh since I got the skyview that has no moving parts and should last the lifetime of the car without any repairs!!


I believe the skyview had a defect in it. I remember researching the maxima before I bought one (i have a sunroof) and decided to get the sunroof because of the defect. They said that after a little while, the skyview leaks and eventually breaks if I remember correctly. You can do your own research on the internet if you like but there WAS a problem with it.

 

i went with the skyview because from the outside it look different from every other car and when ur inside it freak people out because they always ask if it is two or one piece
and can u open it or how do u open it

 

I was a little disappointed that the Skyview didn't open, but it's nice to have.

 

I guess you haven't heard about Nissan's recall on the 2004 maxima's w/ skyviews regarding "THE GLASS FOR THE ROOF MAY NOT HAVE BEEN QUENCHED PROPERLY AFTER THE FORMING PROCESS, RESULTING IN TEMPER IMBALANCE"

 

That recall was NOT for ALL 04's with a skyview... Mine continues to be flawless...

 

The skyview recall was for the first 87,500 or so '04s built. That represents almost exactly 2/3 of the total 131,000 '04s built.

Sunroofs are not necessarily trouble. I have owned nothing but Maximas for over twenty years, all with sunroofs, and have not had a mechanical malfunction with a sunroof as yet.

I would not be interested in owning a car without a sunroof, and use mine often. Except during the hottest days of summer, when I still crack the roof when parking in the sun so as to help keep the interior from baking.

But neither the skyview nor the sunroof are 'superior' to each other; the choice is strictly up to the buyer. Some prefer the skyview, while some prefer the sunroof.

 

imo, the skyview option looks nice from the outside (especially w/Silver car). I like it better than my sunroof, but wouldn't want to spend $$ on a glass roof that doesn't open.

 

i like the conventional sunroof.

 

skyview...its sweet

 

just to have some fun and quote, the skyview is indeed NOT free. It might be standard, but that doesnt make it free grasshoppa.

 

Dude, the recall inspected the first 87,500 or so vehicles for potential defects, Nissan did not replace 87,500 skyview roofs!!!

 

chern - My post certainly lacked details, and was misleading. Sorry. Thanks for calling it to my attention.

I should have been much more careful and specific. The recall was for inspection of only the Maximas with skyviews among the first 87,500 or so '04s built. Among those Maximas recalled, only the ones with the specific code (glass panel lot/date) as specified in the recall stickey on this board actually had the glass replaced.

I haven't see the official totals for replaced glass, but I'm sure it was a small fraction of the cars recalled for inspection.

Sorry I was not more careful with my blathering.

 

Your revised info means your back on your game...

 

I have a sunroof

 

Hey Einstein:
I'm sure someone has already pointed out the obvious to you, but in the event they haven't.....THERE IS A RECALL ON LEAKY SKYVIEWS!....Now who's scoffing oh educated one?

 

Whats the 411 on the leaking skyview, I was aware of the badly manufactured skyview glass that would crack. So they were replaced, I believe this only effected some 04's.

 

I have the skyview.

 

I ended up with the Skyview by mistake. When I customized my 06 on nissanusa.com, and printed the specs out and took it to my dealer, I had the sunroof option checked. When the car showed up 2 days later, it had everything I wanted (onyx with black leather, 6 speed manual, driver preferred package and sensory package, along with mats) almost every option except the 18" chrome wheels and elite package, but didnt have the sunroof like I wanted. However it did come with a Stillen CAI and Tinted windows, the car just looked too damn good to send back, so I took it with the skyview after they proved to me I didnt pay for the sunroof option.

 

I wish there was a middle ground here. The sky-view is a very unique concept, if only it opened.

 

Unfortunately, the geometrics don't work for opening the skyview. Think about it.

Unless the skyview glass was split into more than one piece, there can be no practical 'popup' option. Just too long from front to rear.

Unless the skyview glass was split into more than one piece, there can be no practical 'sliding' option. The curvature and slope of the roof does not leave room.

Even if the geometrics were there, having a power operated glass of this large size would easily add around $2,000 to the price of the car. That is not cheap.

I don't expect to see an opening option on this size glass (power or otherwise) on any sedan anytime soon.

Those who made an 'A' on geometry understand why.

 

i have skyview and i love it and i like it better than sunroof