Keep the guides and where the water travels clear of any leaves, dirt, or debris so it doesn't collect dirt, and allows the water to travel away.

The good thing is you didn't buy a Volkswagen because they leak. The VW dealer I worked with had a few cars come in for that issue. They strip the entire interior, replace the carpet, headliner, and fixed what caused the leak. At least two cars per week getting that done, LOL!

 

I wouldn't. But this is a personal decision. Would you really use it that much?

 

Personal decision for sure but I really like having one. I don't open it a whole lot but when I do it's great. The biggest draw for me is the extra light it lets in. I live in the PNW and it's dark and rainy enough here that some ambient light is always welcome. Is it going to leak? Who knows for sure but in the meantime I'll take some extra sunshine. Good luck with your decision. Take care.

 

I've never had one leak or break. I like them a lot. I guess it depends on how much you want one.
I wouldn't really worry about loading up the roof with it there.

 

Have one on my 2019. Never use it. Only open and close it once a month in warm weather just to see if it still works and to lubricate everything. Kind of like if you don't use it you lose it.

 

Love mine. Use it often 8 months out of the year here in FL. Never a leak or any problem. If you like them, get it.

 

Hell yes!!!!!

 

We ordered a 2021 Limited in April without a moonroof specifically for that reason…they eventually will leak. I have a 2005 4Runner that I bought new , without a moonroof, and have had zero water leak issues. You can search the 4Runner forums and find a number of posts of moonroofs not working or leaking. This I’m assuming is the same issue with other car manufacturers. We buy new cars but keep them forever. I plan to keep my 4Runner at least 20 years. And the wife’s Crosstrek…well, this is our 1st Subi so I’m not sure of the longevity but we’ll keep it until the wheels fall off.

 

I've had "moonroofs" on my cars for the last 30 years. Never had any issues with them. For me they're a great feature.

 

Every vehicle I have purchased since 1988 here in FL has had a moonroof and not one of them leaked.

 

If you don't need or want it, I'd skip it on the options list. The seal on our MY18 does not seal terribly well(lets debris past seal). Our sunroof never gets opened other than to clean and service it.
regards

 

I’ve had 3 leak from all different manufacturers. I wouldnt buy a new car and have to pay for one,
would prob pass on it if it was free. Some cars it really cuts into headroom as well. If you’re 5 something
its not gonna matter, but 6’2” and above it an mean the difference of you being able to fit
in the car or not. Just had to pass on a really nice used car for my son because neither of us could
drive it without hitting our head on the framework for the sunroof. And that was with the seat all the way
down and leaning back. Drove a few new Subies with them and i Was able to fit fine though. I ordered
my 21 without it. One thing less I have to worry about breaking.

 

I like them, but IMO the one in the Crosstrek is so small I wouldn't care either way.

 

for many people a moonroof is like a hot tub. the novelty wears off quickly and it becomes a liability. frankly you'd have to pay me to have huge hole on the top of my car

 

Defiantly go with what YOU want, I had one installed in mine back in 2015 since you can't get one with a 5 speed...

Love it and always use it!

As far as leaks, never had an issue, but knowing it can would not deter me.

 

This is a hotly-debated topic here. I like them but we haven't used ours much. The car we wanted came with it. No leaking problems but it hardly ever rains in SoCal.

 

I don't like moonroofs. They can leak and they let in a lot more heat. When we camp we would need an insulating cover for it anyway.

 

That is what the shade is for. It is no hotter than the rest of the headliner when closed. I guess when you are camping you cover all your windows which do let heat and cold in unlike the sunroof with the shade closed?

 

Thank you all for your advice. So glad this forum is available.

 

IIRC, in the US, you can’t get the Harmon Kardon without the sunroof. There’s no way I could drive the Crosstrek with the base sound system. It was more expensive to replace the base in my OTHER Crosstrek than it was to get the sunroof package.

 

One more ‘pro’ vote here. I rarely open the glass, but the sliding shade is always open when I‘m driving. It imparts a slight bit of spaciousness that’s important to me.

And I agree with others here… over the course of over 30 years of moonroof ownership… never one leak across four vehicles, including my ‘21 Sport to date.

 

In the past, I have had the price of the glass roof taken completely off the purchase price of a car on the lot. I won't have one, even if "free".
YMMV

 

I had the same dilemma when I decided on ordering my Crosstrek. Having had an Audi/VW (notorious for leak) I did not want to have to worry about it, but after weighing the odds, I decided on the option package that included the moonroof and blind side detection. I’ve had the vehicle for over two weeks and have only opened the moonroof to test it and was thinking I really didn’t need it. I usually have a cargo box and/or bike rack on top and defeats the purpose of the “moon” roof. Also noticed that the light streaming in from the “sun”roof also caused unwanted glare on the 8” touchscreen. BUT, nevertheless I’m happy with the decision to go with the moonroof for all the reasons in this thread. Not too worried about leaks as long proper maintenance is applied.

 

1987 Brat (with fun roof, @144K miles), no leak
1994 Altima SE (2 of them), no leaks (one totaled; one donated to a tech school, both with a bit over 200K miles)
2000 BMW 328Ci (@128K miles), no leak
2017 Outback (@27K miles); no leak
2021, Crosstrek Sport (@6600 miles), no leak

 

The moonroof issue was the #1 checkbox in my decision regarding purchase. I do not have covered parking. I live in the, normally wet Pacific Northwest. I don't need the "navigation application" that was part of the "moon roof package". My property is in. a heavily forested area of Fir, Cedar, and Pine that shed needles at a rate [especially this year] that rivals our rainfall in inches per year. I'm fine with moss on my walkway, not so much in the crevices around the moonroof. Top that off with the fact that I have never stargazed while driving.
I wanted the 2.5 engine. The dealership had two vehicles without the moonroof option. One Sport and One Ltd..
The choice came down to color.... I also live 2 miles up a semi-improved dirt/gravel road. The Sport was Black, The Ltd. was Silver.
I have been very satisfied with my Limited.
[ Also considered the possible structural strength of the two options and wether I wanted an extra lapful of glass in the unfortunate possibility of an accident, especially a roll over.]

 

I've never had a moonroof leak in 40+ years of buying cars.

 

My 1st sunroof in 40 yrs.
Would I have chosen it if it were a separate paid option? meh.
Do I use it now? Often
Is it a must-have? no.
Does it worry me about potential leaks over a 10year life span? Not at all.

It's a non-essential subjective nice to have, really.

The fun thing is the shade (or lack thereof) REALLY changes the car's acoustics. The sunroof adds a reflective surface for the sound, especially low frequencies. Blast some music, and experiment with the shade open/closed, you'll hear it.