I don't like Leather seats and trim, what's wrong with me?

[muso]

I am upgrading in a year or so to either FG XR6T or G6ET and like both equally.

When I sit in an XR 50th Ann or G6ET I get back into a plain cloth trim XR (including my BA XR6T) and think "ahh that's better"

I once had a car many years ago with leather seats/trim and had to keep a towel in the car so I could sit on it in hot weather and cold weather wasn't much better.

I can imagine that leather wears better than cloth and would offer firmer support on a long trip, but Leather once old and worn looks/feels terrible in my opinion.

I have always thought that seat covers would be my first move if I buy a car with leather seats, as long as the seat covers don't cause that horrible static shock whenever you get out of your car.

Thoughts anybody?

[Moby Vic]

I'm with you. I prefer cloth.

To me, leather is like vinyl that smells good but costs a lot more.

[40RDT]

I dont mind cloth seats but leather looks alot better imo

[FGII-XR6]

nothing wrong with you at all, I like leather but it very much a personal choice just like colour and general car styling. if we all liked the same thing our paring lots would be very boring

[Moby Vic]

Animal rights activists, Hindus, and vegans don't like leather, either. I'm just cheap.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Love leather seats, the feel of luxury.

Both my daily driver and FPV have leather, would hate to go back to cloth seats.

[Franco Cozzo]

I like leather seats, feels much nicer.

On a hot day, well get the windows tinted and idle the car for 5 minutes with the A/C on before you drive off.

[muso]

As far as looks go the upmarket appearance of the G6ET with beige Leather seats and trim really take the cake, looks more Mercedes/Audi

[Raptor]

Leathers nice, when its good quality and in good condition. Once it worn and neglected it looks horrible.

I deliberately got the TS rather than the Ghia when I bought the Territory because it had cloth seats. After 9 years of use they are still looking quite good and been comfortable the whole time. No regrets here.

[muso]

As much as I hate to say it I much prefer the leather seats in the VE Calais V :( The little holes seem to help it breath and break it up abit....they look a bit more Audi/Benz in my opinion, as to how good they are I don't really know.....I'm only going by what it felt like sitting in one in a car yard on a warmish day compared to the ford leather of a G6 nearby, the Calais felt cooler.

[pottery beige]

over rated.. i prefer the cold hard kiss of vinyl..

[PepeLePew]

Cloth seats and aftermarket leather....sweaty butt but much nicer. Course it's easier to tick the box.

[frankie86]

same boat as you mate, i do like the look of leather but i always prefer cloth

[muso]

I love the XR6T 50th Anniversary model.....kind of a hybrid between XR and G series. But cannot stand the gloomy black leather, if Beige was an option no worries, even if it is harder to keep clean but I'd still take the cloth. But no Dash green colour available :(

[duaned]

Leather for the win here. I could not see myself buying another car without the luxury of leather. Cloth should be only used in waiting rooms and medical centres. Collingwood supporters and Centrelink customers only deserve hard plastic un-covered seats!

[NickyN]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I like leather seats, feels much nicer.

On a hot day, well get the windows tinted and idle the car for 5 minutes with the A/C on before you drive off.

I vote for leather. Real quality leather.

Originally Posted by muso

As much as I hate to say it I much prefer the leather seats in the VE Calais V :( The little holes seem to help it breath and break it up abit....they look a bit more Audi/Benz in my opinion, as to how good they are I don't really know.....I'm only going by what it felt like sitting in one in a car yard on a warmish day compared to the ford leather of a G6 nearby, the Calais felt cooler.

Esp when those little holes in the front seats are because the seats are AC ventilated and heated, it makes for a comfortable ride.

[AndyXR6T]

Same here bud. I'm not a fan of Fords leather. I think only certain, high quality cars can pull it off. I think the FG leather looks alright but making it identical to the BFs just makes the newer design look old IMO. Not to mention after a while it looks shocking and wears too easily

[muso]

Originally Posted by NickyN

I vote for leather. Real quality leather.



Esp when those little holes in the front seats are because the seats are AC ventilated and heated, it makes for a comfortable ride.

Did the Calais V get heated seats? Or are the holes there to make it just look like it I've heard some bad reports about the Ford leather being under par, if so what a damn shame....the G6ET could have been so much more 'special' in 2008 with better leather zenon & DR lights Led tail lights etc
I'm not hating...rather just venting my frustration on how much more special this remarkable car could have been

[NickyN]

Originally Posted by muso

Did the Calais V get heated seats? Or are the holes there to make it just look like it I've heard some bad reports about the Ford leather being under par, if so what a damn shame....the G6ET could have been so much more 'special' in 2008 with better leather zenon & DR lights Led tail lights etc
I'm not hating...rather just venting my frustration on how much more special this remarkable car could have been

I don't know about the Calais V (we don't get that here). I've heard a bit about Ford leather too. Not the high end quality leather like the imports.
Leather just makes it more luxurious to the touch and feel.

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

Same here bud. I'm not a fan of Fords leather. I think only certain, high quality cars can pull it off. I think the FG leather looks alright but making it identical to the BFs just makes the newer design look old IMO. Not to mention after a while it looks shocking and wears too easily

Sorry, I should clarify. I'm talking about Lexus, Infinity and BMWs.

I've heard a bit of mixed things about Ford leather, though some Ford models do have the ventilated front seats too.

[superfly]

I think leather looks nice but it gets all the crease marks in it which look crap. I have an XR50 that only has partial leather seats and the edge strip of the seat which is leather has lots of creases in it. Wished they'd used more suede instead.

Even the headrests on the rear seats are full leather so with the booster seat straps it creases the headrest. At least the main part of the seat is a different material, so no imprints or creases occur.

[muso]

I'd really be only getting an XR50 because of the extra bits and pieces like reversing camera/climate control etc

[GT014]

Really depends on the leather. Ford leather is cheap and nasty and wears horribly.

I test drove the new chrysler 300c with full nappa leather and cooling seats, and was sold. Absolutely fantastic, keeps the seats really chilled so you don't stick and the leather doesn't crease easily. Compared to my fg gt which had leather, that was extremely high maintance to keep looking new.

Overall I much prefer cloth.

[NickyN]

Originally Posted by superfly

I think leather looks nice but it gets all the crease marks in it which look crap. I have an XR50 that only has partial leather seats and the edge strip of the seat which is leather has lots of creases in it. Wished they'd used more suede instead.

Even the headrests on the rear seats are full leather so with the booster seat straps it creases the headrest. At least the main part of the seat is a different material, so no imprints or creases occur.

Personally, I think crease marks or stretching out of leather has to do with the quality. The Japanese high end imports and the Euro imports have the best leather from what I've seen. And felt and sat in.

[Sox]

I like the look of leather, it's classy.
However, I hate sitting on it. It's too cold in winter, and too hot in summer.
It's also too firm, with not enough give.

I have 2 cars with leather and 2 with cloth.

I much prefer to sit on the cloth.

[muso]

So if I'm sold on getting a G6ET which I may well end up with what about seat covers....perhaps Sheepskin ones? As long as I don't get a "Zap" every time I get out of the car :(

[AndyXR6T]

Originally Posted by muso

So if I'm sold on getting a G6ET which I may well end up with what about seat covers....perhaps Sheepskin ones? As long as I don't get a "Zap" every time I get out of the car :(

Personally can't stand sheepskin seat covers, but have you thought about just swapping the seats with someone on these forums? Or doing what another member has (lalo1003?) and made custom leather bolstered seats with suede inserts, they look great and it's top quality pics here

[b0son]

Originally Posted by muso

When I sit in an XR 50th Ann or G6ET I get back into a plain cloth trim XR (including my BA XR6T) and think "ahh that's better"

Of course you do. Falcadore leather is crap.

Go and try a few euro cars.

[dallasv8]

i miss the days of the XD Fairmont Ghia's with the velour door trims and seats etc.

[Ford_The_Win]

Nothing says class like red velour, but the more toned down NF Fairlane interior (where pretty much every surface is covered in grey velour) is my personal favourite. I hate leather.

[99AUXR]

Hate leather when looks old. Otherwise leather everytime. Also tints go a long way to making it stay cool.