Is leather better?
 

I have a 10th anniversary TII and I was wondering if anyone thought it would be worth fixing the leather seats over and over when they get worn out... It's like 50 bucks to get one side of one seat fixed and after a while it adds up... just wondering if a cover or regular cloth seats would be better. I haven't found any benefits of leather except a different look, or perhaps there are some better kinds of leather seats available, i dunno, just wondering :)

Wow, $50 to get the leather replaced? That a pretty good deal. I had 4 sections of leather to replace (3 on the side, and a cigarette burn in another spot) and that was going to cost $200. What i ended up doing is having the guy replace those sections with vinyel, and you know what, you really can't tell that it's not leather. Unless you know what you are looking for. And it cost me half as much as getting leather done.

Here's a picture of what it looked like before. i don't have an after to show you unfortunately.
http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~jdm33/p...s/IM000062.jpg

hehe, yeah, that's what it would've costed me... 50 dollars for each section of leather to replace.. i've got the two sides of each seat, the middles are fine.. i might think about that vinyl thing, thanks

I personally don't like the leather. It is too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, and doesn't grip your butt like cloth does. But, if this is a 10AE, you should have the leather fixed to keep the car original.

I got my seats reupholstered in vinyl. Looks good. :)
(click on sig for pics)

I agree with Aaron, leather is for luxury cars that you don't need as much to be held in place.

Plus no-one every takes care of leather like they should, so it always ends up cracking or brittle or just plain stiff.

The FD R1 and R2 never got leather, just because it doesn't work as well to keep you in the seat.

I could do my seats with either and I choose vinyl. There is a HUGE difference in quality when it comes to vinyl though. You have to watch out for cheap shit. Everyone that has seen my seats thinks they are leather. High quality vinyl requires less care and lasts much longer too.
Since I have carbon fiber on my interior and I like the look of leather but the feel of cloth I made the bolsters in vinyl and the centers in carbon fiber tweed. The tweed is some really strong material and lasts a long time.
I am finishing up a set just like these and a set with the perforated leather instead of the tweed.
I have patterns for the 2nd gen with the adjustable headrests but I have not made any of those yet.

Anyone that pays the extra for leather can get them done that way but to me it's a big waste of money.

http://webpages.charter.net/mikeroberts/seats13sm.jpg http://webpages.charter.net/mikeroberts/boot01sm.jpg

If you look at the FD R1 or R2 they had cloth seats. The reasoning is that as said, cloth is more 'sporting' in nature, you won't slide around.

that reminds me to take care of my seats. Who maks some good leather conditioner?

My '87 N/A needs to have the seats re-upholstered the driver's side seat is really bad, I have a seat cover on it right now to try an attempt to prevent any more damage...

You think I should get it redone in cloth again... or try out the leather?


Chris

Lexol makes and excellent cleaner and conditioner. I use it on all of my cars and have no complaints.

I agree with Aaron and Ice that if you are hitting the track you NEED cloth seats. They hold you in place like you wouldn't believe, you'll just slide around on the leather too much. But the leather does add a touch of luxury if that's what you are looking for.

Getting back to the subject, is leather better? Like most thing when it comes to cars (Chris, this applies to you too), it's up to you and if you think it's better. Should you get it fixed? Yes, i think it's a good idea. If you leave the seats as is, leather or otherwise, the stuffing inside will wear and disintegrate quicker and it will cost more in the long run. Replacing the already torn exterior and having someone rebuild the seat interior.

I will always say that leather is better, but of course I spend just as much time doing leatherwork as I do work on my FC. I haven't run into vinyl yet that I've mistaken for leather, and I would be pretty disappointed to get stuck with vinyl instead. If you treat it properly, the leather will improve with age and last just as long as vinyl. Yes, you can fight the sun, rot, time, heat, dry, human wear, smell absorbtion etc with the right maintenance. Of course, you have to get the right leather in the first place. But if you ask me, preference has a lot to do with it. It has a distinct feel and look, and a distinct smell. It's stronger than vinyl. I think it looks different and is nice to handle. I do not enjoy working on any other fabric. It's just very nice. Furthermore, it has a tendancy to reduce noise and strengthen up whatever piece you wind up making it out of. Adding something leather to your car automatically boosts its resale value a bit.

Oh yeah, and there is some leather out there that is just as grippable as far as seats go. In fact, it's significantly more so than vinyl. Of course, this has to do with the treatment of the material before you recieve it, but it's something worth considering if you really want to *race* and retain luxury (I'm thinking oxy-moron here).

Well you just have not seen the better vinyl then. The best vinyl is about $100.00 per yard and having worked with both I know for a fact that it kicks the shit out of leather.
Too many people base all vinyl on cheap shit ($20.00 per yard) and vinyl available 10 years ago.
Get you a sample of this sent to you http://www.larrydennis.com/streetrod...ultrasuede.asp

How does it smell?

Like leather.... after the leather is a few years old! ;)
I have actually heard of people taking leather scraps and putting them under the seats (in the seat frame) to get the leather smell. Of course if you put your nose directly to the material you can tell the smell is not coming from it. But everyone getting in and out of your car won't know.
The material does stand well by it's own merits not to try to pass it off as leather though at least to people that are familiar with it.
I can tell you though that if you get some and put it through some testing you will be amazed.
Everybody including myself is very sceptical until they see it. That's very understandable since this is the only vinyl I have seen I would ever use on any car I liked.

I am hoping at some point the price will go down as more manufacturers start producing competitive quality materials.

:D
 

leather smelling airfreshener type thing that hides under the seat would be invention #1 for vinyl people ;)

Your ass will slide around on the leather if your are not belted in tight while cornering. With the stock belts you will slide around, four point harnesses will hold you in with leather. In the summer the seat burn your ass and in the winter it freezes your balls. Cloth seats, no sliding under G's, will not burn ass in summer and is warmer inthe winter on your ass/balls. I agree that leather is for luxury cars.

are nyou gonna sell them Scalliwag ?

I just started last week ;) I need some 3rd gen seats to make patterns with. Hopefully I can get some soon.
With as many 3rd gens in this area and people getting their tax checks it should be.

ummm im not talking about 3rd gen
im talkin for the fc

Which seats? I have seen at least 3 different patterns. It appears the automatic, GXL/Turbo, and the standard 5 speed coupes all had a different seat.
I have one set that has adjustable headrests, lumbar support, and an extra lever that tilts the seat up in the front.
So I would have to see a picture of the seats you have.

My leather seats are mint in my 91 coupe (35,000 miles) I might be getting a set of Sparcos soon so maybe you would want to buy them?

Nick

Ill get a pic up in a few...

I only need worn seats so I can get them cheap. Ebay is a good place to sell nice seats.

um, how about http://www.naugahyde.com/ ?