why no leather for MS3?

[civilianx]

I just don't understand. I fully expect I'll end up in an MS3 (dang cosmic blue is starting to attract me more than black) but still look at others.

I have more GM card points than allowed to be used for any car, so I can get a decent price on most of them (was planning on a CTS this round originally, but current divorce thing is kinda putting a damper on what I can afford). Unfortunately, the Saab 9-3 isn't one that you're allowed to use points for (or any Saab for that matter). However, being that they're redoing the front of it and changing the aero lineup's power/drivetrains, they have huge discounts right now ($4k) for all 9-3 models, which puts it in a nice price range for the 2.0. I like both the sedan and sportcombi (love functional vehicles).

Anyway, cars like that keep me wavering a little. I think though, that if the MS3 offered full leather interior, I'd be set. I love the interior of the 3's w/full leather and vowed to go full leather on my next vehicle. The MS3 w/partial leather isn't quite there, but all the car's other assets make it too tempting to not make a top contender. Yea, bluetooth/hands free would be nice, fancier interior textures would be nice, mp3 abilities would be nice, but none of those are show stoppers. The cloth in the MS3 GT is different than most cloth, which is nice and why I am still very interested, but lordy... why not offer full leather? The price couldn't be that much, especially if they made it a lux package or something. I mean, the nav system is there and is awfully pricey and seems out of place on an 'economy' or near-economy car. All personal taste, but I'd much rather have leather than nav. Kind of a pain in the butt to get aftermarket leather seats (and pricey). Would love to have leather front (for me)/rear (to ease in sippy cup toddler mess cleanup). I asked the dealer about it and they actually carry a brochure for some company nearby that will swap out seat material w/leather. That's nice and all, but now that I'm down to one vehicle, I'd kinda be up the creek while waiting for that to be done and I have never seen aftermarket leather, so I don't know how well it'd hold up.

Anyway, random minor complaint/rant thingy.

(someone bought the black MS3-GT I have been drooling over the last 5 weeks but the blue MS3-Sport is still there. I felt like a friend left me)

 

[Rotus8]

Leather is too slippery for a car that corners like this one. You need butt traction to keep control of the car in extreme situations.

 

[uncletime]

Leather is too slippery for a car that corners like this one. You need butt traction to keep control of the car in extreme situations.

couldnt have put it better if i tried

 

[civilianx]

Leather is too slippery for a car that corners like this one. You need butt traction to keep control of the car in extreme situations.

I honestly wondered if that was part of the reasoning, but I know my buddy's vette has leather then went to look at what Porsche and Lotus offered...leather. The seats in the MS3-GT offer nice side bolstering and I think would be fine w/leather across the center. The hip huggers (lateral support?) feel even better than that in the vette (I think his is an '05 or '06 z06). Lack of leather isn't a show stopper, but the lack of it is just kind of disheartening. I've been in the MS3 maybe 5-6 times and each time, that is really the only thing that I wish was different.

 

[Ryz]

I hate leather seats.

 

[njaremka]

am imissing something? i thought the ms3 gt had leather seats?

 

[1sty]

When I got my STi the dealership had worked out a deal with a local upholestry shop to add a leather option for $1500. Might be a simialr place near you that can do it. That way you can pick your color and material too.

 

[Rotus8]

am imissing something? i thought the ms3 gt had leather seats?

Leather trimmed. The bolsters and sides are leather, the centers of the seats are a high friction cloth material.

 

[dark3]

am imissing something? i thought the ms3 gt had leather seats?

only the ms3 gt has leather seats(which also comes with alot more goodies) not the basee model ms3

 

[phillyb]

to me, leather is really overrated...hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

 

[civilianx]

to me, leather is really overrated...hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

I have a soon-to-be two year old. My Titan's cloth seats, even with Wet Okole covers on the rear seats (where the car seat is), have lost the battle w/spilled milk, juice, back in the day formula and projectile vomiting (thank God those days are over), and misc spilled snacks. My in-laws' leather seats though have stood up to them all as well as toting two dogs around. I honestly thought dogs would have killed the leather, but wipe them down and they look almost as good as new (they're about 3-4yrs old now). Both are GM vehicles, an Envoy and a Chevy 2500 so maybe it is just something w/the GM leather that is a bit more resilient.

After seeing their mistreated seats looking better than my Titan's babied seats that I clean up as soon as possible when messes happen, well, I vowed to go leather next time around. They tote my little one around as much as I do (wife works from her mom's house) so it really isn't a matter of amount of use, just the leather cleans up so nice.

I'll have to ask about that upolstry thing. Maybe that is something they can stick that in the auto's price so it can be on the loan.

 

[RelliMS3]

i love the combination of leather and cloth. Style on the bolsters, and friction in the center where you need it.

 

[tru-boost]

the reason for no full leather is so your ass doesnt slide off the seat during "spirited" driving. deep side bolsters and cloth are what sporty cars should have. the little leather we get is enough to add some visual appeal and keep the performance factor the same

 

[Speed3xNoo8]

Good grip on ass when make turns are good!! lol

 

[civilianx]

the reason for no full leather is so your ass doesnt slide off the seat during "spirited" driving. deep side bolsters and cloth are what sporty cars should have. the little leather we get is enough to add some visual appeal and keep the performance factor the same

I do like the way the front looks, just wish there was leather for durability. Maybe I'll see about getting just the rear done in full leather.... or put down tarps under the car seat.