Does anyone else hate leather?
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The only drawback imo about leather is that it's high maintenance. It'll last forever if you properly take care of it. I always just shake my head in disbelief when I see an uber expensive high end car where the driver's side leather is destroyed. Holes in the side bolsters,tears in the seats,foam coming out,etc,and the car is only a few years old.
It's great. I appreciate the quality of foam and springs as a seat wears towards 200k with 200 lbs in it.
I've had a cadillac cimmarron and volvo 940 with leather, and a Merc with MB-TEX high-quality vinyl. All also had decent foam & springs.
I've had a cadillac cimmarron and volvo 940 with leather, and a Merc with MB-TEX high-quality vinyl. All also had decent foam & springs.
I like leather in a vehicle interior, but I don't like leather seating surfaces. Cloth for the seats, leather for interior trim. You get the smell and beauty but don't burn your flesh in hot summer interiors.
Leather does require special care, however. Some people treat it with the same clean and care products as vinyl, which will suck out the leather's natural oils and promote cracking. You need care products designed for leather only for leather surfaces.
Leather does require special care, however. Some people treat it with the same clean and care products as vinyl, which will suck out the leather's natural oils and promote cracking. You need care products designed for leather only for leather surfaces.
I'd rather have leather or vinyl than cloth.
I have all those complaints with cheap leather or vinyl, but real upholstery-grade leather is a different story since it breathes and wicks moisture away.
My actual favorite is what my SRT has- leather on the set bolsters, headrests, sides, and back, with Alcantara (aka Ultrasuede) center inserts that breathe even better.
My actual favorite is what my SRT has- leather on the set bolsters, headrests, sides, and back, with Alcantara (aka Ultrasuede) center inserts that breathe even better.
Not many people use them now but sheepskins are still the most comfortable. Mine have Velcro tearaways for the side airbags.
I hate vinyl or leather....
I only want cloth seats in my cars.
Aside from being
uncomfortable with cold or hot temps is that age ends up
cracking leather and vinyl while cloth seems to last forever
on modern vehicles from the past 25 years or so.
The only time I want to sit on leather, is when I'm riding horses with a good quality English saddle.
I only want cloth seats in my cars.
Aside from being
uncomfortable with cold or hot temps is that age ends up
cracking leather and vinyl while cloth seems to last forever
on modern vehicles from the past 25 years or so.
The only time I want to sit on leather, is when I'm riding horses with a good quality English saddle.
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I have only had leather in one vehicle so far, but it has worn like iron. No cleaning or special care. Whatever got spilled on it cleans up easily; if snow or rain hits it, it is not soaked. After eleven years I have one spot of wear were I apparently slide across on it. Wonderful option on my VW I think.
Now maybe other leather is junk after a few years. But I would have to say I prefer it. But these days I am not apt to pay for it.
Now maybe other leather is junk after a few years. But I would have to say I prefer it. But these days I am not apt to pay for it.
I'm not crazy about leather either. The Grand Marquis is the only car I own that has leather, though I've rented several vehicles that had leather seats. Frankly the only reason I got the leather in the Grand Marquis was because I wanted the LS model and I couldn't find any that had cloth seats.
When I was looking at Impalas the LTs all had cloth seats and the LTZ models had leather. Also the LTZ models had 18" wheels (not crazy about them) and the LT had 17" wheels. Since the LT had all the other options I wanted and was considerably cheaper, it was an easy choice.
When I was looking at Impalas the LTs all had cloth seats and the LTZ models had leather. Also the LTZ models had 18" wheels (not crazy about them) and the LT had 17" wheels. Since the LT had all the other options I wanted and was considerably cheaper, it was an easy choice.
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We specifically look for leather in our family car, the last 3 have had it - as others have said, cleaning up kids spills is a breeze. And the smell of baby vomit can hang around a long time in fabric seats! I wouldn't be without heated seats though, leather is definitely cold first thing of a morning.
Like others said, good quality leather, yes. Fake cheapo leather, no.
I've been in a few new cars and it really varies from make to make. VW's leather and leatherette seats are all pretty nice from what I've sat in and would take it over cloth. On the other hand, a co worker of mine just purchased a new Acura and the leather seats worry me a bit. They feel thin, too soft, and truly feel like 1-2 years of daily driving will just rip them apart.
The full leather recaros in our ST are great though. Really changed my mind about leather vs. cloth.
I've been in a few new cars and it really varies from make to make. VW's leather and leatherette seats are all pretty nice from what I've sat in and would take it over cloth. On the other hand, a co worker of mine just purchased a new Acura and the leather seats worry me a bit. They feel thin, too soft, and truly feel like 1-2 years of daily driving will just rip them apart.
The full leather recaros in our ST are great though. Really changed my mind about leather vs. cloth.
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Actually I stand corrected my BMW has fake leather.
It's still perfect after 10 years.
I think fake is sometimes better than the real thing.
It's still perfect after 10 years.
I think fake is sometimes better than the real thing.
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