Seat material

[Shaggy]

I have an 03 and opted not to get leather. I have had leather on all my other vehicles and dont particullarly like the way it wears. However, is it just me or is the material used on the 03 seats a bit cheesie ? I am actually thinking now of puting leather in ther instead.

 

[PaulC]

I have a 1999 XLT with 55,000 miles on it's tan cloth interior. The driver's seat still looks very good with little wear. My father just turned in a 1999 Tahoe LT with the same mileage and leather seating surfaces that looked like Hell with scuffs and wear-induced holes in the driver's seat.

I think we are in an era where we are witnessing a convergence of the durability qualities of cloth vs. leather, i.e., cloth upholstery is becoming more durable due to improved materials technology and leather is becoming less durable due to far too much cost-cutting.

I also find cloth to be far more comfortable in extreme temperatures.

If aesthetics is the issue, then perhaps leather is the way to go for you, but unless you find a supplier that offers a product far superior in materials than OEM leather, you will spend $$$ and wind up with a less satisfactory product in terms of comfort and durability.

Pick your poi$on.

 

[Guest]

I think you will find that, in general, after-market leather interiors are far superior to factory. They will put leather in places that would be vinyl from the factory. They will even put in heated seats if you want them.

 

[PaulC]

The great thing about cloth is that seat heaters are generally not necessary. Yesterday, while wearing khakis, I drove a Saab 9-3 convertible with leather and nearly fractured a finger in my rush to stab the seat heater switch.

 

[Guest]

Hi All,
I'm new here. Recently I was looking at some used vehicles and I amazed at how bad the leather seats in the vehicles looked. Even if they only had 50-100K miles on them. My 91 Explorer seats still look almost as good as new after vacuumed. I can't think of one reason to buy leather seats. I don't care for the cloth seats that don't have any nap or velour feel to them though.
Grateful

 

[magic]

I have leather non heated seats and looking to see if I can install seat heating. Any idea where I can find a place to do it?