Leather or cloth upholstery... what holds up best?

[kmc]

I am looking to buy a Protege5, and am trying to decide between the leather or cloth interior. I've never owned a car with leather... as far as pets, kids, etc. is it easier to clean up? Or does it just wear out faster? Does sticking car seats in the back damage the upholstery in any way? Don't have kids yet, but I'm planning on keeping this car for quite a while. Thanks!

 

[Pro Fiz]

All I can say is... with the cloth interior, if you have a dog, it's a pain in the ass to get the hair out.

 

[melicha8]

Leather is better. That's why all the g-units roll with hyde yo

 

[chuyler1]

The leather is a bit slippery through tight corners but the comfort and look of it far exceeds cloth.

It is perferated so if your kids spill soda, it will probably seep into the cushion, but it will wipe right off removing the stickiness w/o leaving a stain.

 

[Protege5Gurly]

Im definitely gonna say leather ... however .... see how much it is from the factory vs what you can have it (Katzkin) installed for. Most likely it will be cheaper to have the katzkin installed somewhere else. Also, with the Katzkin you can choose what color scheme you want and you can get it non-perforated which will help with spills and longevity.

The only downside is that you will need to clean and condition the leather -- but you only need to do that like every 6 months.


Pe@ce

 

[pro00]

leather, all the way!

 

[kmc]

Thanks for your input, everyone.

 

[SnowSerpent]

I would go with leather. I agree with Protege5Gurly you can custom leather for the price of the factory leather.

 

[tmht]

I have a question about the Katskin... Can it be installed on cars with side airbags?

 

[blynzoo]

Aftermarket leather. Hell, get it without the seats and just go custom.

 

[chuyler1]

I have a question about the Katskin... Can it be installed on cars with side airbags?

Its the same stuff that comes from the factory so yes. You just get to choose from different colors. If you want all black, go factory. I've got the side airbags and you wouldn't even know it. In the event that they actually deploy, the seats would have to be reapolstered, but your car will prolly be totalled anyway so reapolstering seats is the least of your worries.

 

[seaduced]

I'm trying to decide between leather and cloth too - ordering one this week. Big help reading all your postings. I'm wondering if anyone from Florida has an opinon?
I was wearing shorts for the test drive and at first I was
sliding all over the place (leather seemed very tight - maybe it would stretch? - maybe I don't weigh enough to push it down?), then I started sticking to it (it's 96 degrees here).
The leather option price here is $490.
Anyone know what custom good leather will cost later?
Thanks everyone !

 

[SpicyMchaggis]

I'd say save money and go with cloth...use that 490$ and get some BRIDE seats or maybe some sparco's!

 

[TexP5]

Its the same stuff that comes from the factory so yes.

HUH???? No, Katzkin leather seats are not the same stuff that comes from the factory. You're giving out bad info here dude. I don't know if Katzkins can be installed over factory airbags or not. But they're definitely not the same as factory leather.

 

[ELEmental59437]

They CAN be installed over factory airbags and I think chuyler1 is trying to say that its the same basic design as the factory leather because the airbags will still deploy.

 

[TexP5]

Without trying to be anal about language...Maybe that's what he meant, but it's not what he WROTE. It was a confusing response to a question from a total noob.

Also, I have Katzkin leather and I'd seriously be a little concerend about installing them over bags. I know nothing about this subject but I'm assuming that seat covers for airbags are designed differently and include some sort of seam that tears away or something?? With Katzkin what would the bags do? Simply blow the seat cover off or try to burst through the leather? How does this all work?

 

[seaduced]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question but what does getting
side airbags have to do with the leather seats?
Why did he write he would have to replace them?
I don't have the car yet so please forgive me.
Thanks

 

[chuyler1]

After market leather upolstry goes over your current upolstry . . . correct me if I'm wrong . . . This poses a problem with side air bags because the bag has to push through two layers instead of one. (For those of you who don't know, the side air bags are inside the front seats)

Also, there is special stitching that allows the bag to come out, so if Katzkin doesn't state that their leather is designed for side air bags, they probably arent. You can just forget about it, or you could disable them I guess, which means you paid $500 for antilock brakes instead of $500 for brakes and airbags....but I would just buy leather from the factory (and I did).

 

[ghetto waggon]

Some of the dealers are installing the katskin interiors on their cars, so some may be referring to that.

The kit, at least in the groupbuy, for the leather interior was like $530 if I remember correctly. And about another $100-150 to install.

I did get the leather, and in looking back, I prolly would've rather paid the extra ~$200 or so and gone katzskin yellow.

BTW the dealer invoice is only $400 for the leather. Pay only that. Check edmunds.com

Good luck

and PS

Definetly go leather!

 

[ghetto waggon]

and I do believe your original skins get ripped out if you decide to get your car "re-upholstered"



I'm not exactly sure if the OEM skins are usuable again after they have been removed. I suppose so, because I have seen a few on sale before.