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

[Newf]

I've had leather in past cars...mostly honda's. I don't miss it, and I'll never pay extra to have it again.

Benefits: Spill something, it comes right off. No stains. Smells great, very luxerous and looks WAY better when new.

Cons: You can't put anything on the seats that's heavey or sharp or you'll tear, stretch, mark, or dent it. Contrary to what people believe, it doesn't age well in all cars. Different leathers, different quality. My Honda's weren't bad, but when I seen them years after I sold them, the leather definitely ages, and not in a good way. I kept blankets on the seats whenever I carried something, but that doesn't all ways work either. If it's heavey enough, it'll still mark the seats.

If you have pets... DO NOT GET LEATHER. Their claws will ruin it, and then your screwed. Cloth is way better for pets. Now, if it's a wagon, just keep the pets in the hatch, and problem solved. Hair is hard to get out of cloth, but at least it's possible with some effort. try getting tears and marks out of leather as easily.

Just something to think about.

 

[chuyler1]

Speaking of stretch marks...

one of my pet pieves which I noted in all the new-car surveys I filled out was that when you fully fold down the rear seat (pull up the bottom and fold forward the back), the metal hardware under the seat leaves ugly marks in the leather if you leave it folded down for extended periods. A design flaw Mazda should have tested before shipping the car with leather. Anyway, I never lift up the bottoms of the rear seats unless I absolutely need the space.

 

[JunkPunch]

one of my pet pieves which I noted in all the new-car surveys I filled out was that when you fully fold down the rear seat (pull up the bottom and fold forward the back), the metal hardware under the seat leaves ugly marks in the leather if you leave it folded down for extended periods. A design flaw Mazda should have tested before shipping the car with leather. Anyway, I never lift up the bottoms of the rear seats unless I absolutely need the space.

I found this out the hard way also. After the first time I cut a couple pieces of foam rubber and I keep it under the back seats. If I lift the back seats to fold them flat I put the foam rubber over the hardware so it doesn't mess up the leather.

 

[seaduced]

air bags on the sides of the seat?
So whether I get leather or cloth - the seat has to be redone, right? Although , Chuyler is right, that will probably be the least of my problems.

After reading all these postings, and speaking to someone who
has an $80,000 Acura and complains about the leather (sticking to it is a big problem in so. florida ) - I'm going with cloth.

Can't wait for my car !!!!

 

[chuyler1]

Florida -- Leather . . .
what was he thinking?

My girlfriend complains about the sticking, but I don't wear shorts that are short enough to cause problems.

 

[spazspike]

Temperature is also an issue. I know on a cold wintery morning, sitting in cold leather seats is not a good wake-up call. Or the tingling sensation of hot leather seats at 2:00pm if you've left your windows up all day.

Cloth is about the same 'feeling' year round.

 

[chuyler1]

In winter, I love the "sun has been beating down on your seats through the moonroof" feeling on those icy cold afternoons when the sun is out but the wind is whipping up your pants.

In the summer, I close the moonroof shade. Black interior is going to be warm no matter what.