While it's true the initial price tag is hefty the way I look at it is you can buy a used set, enjoy them while you own the car, then resell them once you move on without losing much money. Seems like these seats hold their value rather well.

As far as theft goes, wasn't there a thread not too long ago about "show car" insurance or something of that nature? I'd think the only way to keep my mind at ease when parking an FD would be the knowledge that everything in the car is fully insured.

 

WOW! Didnt think my post would turn into this! I agree with Ramy, they are not very noticeable as far as a racing seat is concerned! Look carefully at my picture. My doors are open and so is the hatch. I happen to have 15% window tint on the driver and passenger side windows, as well as the rear. When I close them, it is very difficult to see the Recaro emblems. The top part of these seats are fairly flat and resemble the stock seats, where most aftermarkets have sort of a cone to them before they reach the shoulder bosters. I am well aware of thieves and their irrational behavior. My car is always in the garage and someone is always home(including the Doberman). The car is only driven for pleasure. I never shop with it, leave it in parking lots, etc. I have a daily driver for that.

To me and my driving and modding preferences, this is a great mod. To me it's all about enhancing the pure sports car feel of this car! For example, one of the best mods I ever did for this car was to get a short-shifter! I love the crisp, short, weighted feel of shifting. I still have the crappy stock(non bose) sound system but yet I see no reason to modify it for my tastes.

And actually for a comparison, to get something similar to these seats in weight, you might spend the same amount or more money. I *think* the Sparco EVOs in carbon fiber retail about 2K per seat w/o rails/brackets. And if I'm not mistaken, carbon kevlar is a better material because it bends better w/o breaking??? Plus, you get to use the stock seat belts without having to do any fabrication.

 

Any Recaro seat is theft bait. It's a primo brand. In addition, these particular seats are especially valuable...in the thousands of dollars each. So you've got all the thieves willing to steal any Recaro seat (not a small number.) On top of that you have the cognoscenti...the people who know what these particular seats are truly worth. All that adds up to a high theft potential. To think anything else is hopelessly naive. (Insert FDNewbie's name here.)

As to being subtle....LOL! You can see the brand name right through the windshield! Look through the windshield a little off to the side, or look through the rear hatch and you can see the Kevlar backing. Thieves aren't stupid. You think no one is going to notice?! You think people can't perceive a quality item when they look at it? LOL! As I say, you're dreaming and hopelessly naive.

 

There are none so blind as those who will not see. Take a look at the photos on p.1 again. You can see the Kevlar! You're living in a dream world if you think people, thieves included, can't perceive that these are items of value. In fact, thieves who specialize in selling stolen aftermarket parts are particularly good at picking out items of high value. Anyone who looks at these seats can go on the internet and find out what they're worth. It's all too easy for them to do.

 

Ha, ha, ha, ha. Well, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing I'll have my car till I drop. So far I haven't needed an armed guard when I park it.

 

Sure it does. Your logic is faulty. You've got all the people who will steal any Recaro seat, plus you have the extra number of people who know what they're truly worth. That's the thousands of people on this forum and other forums on the internet and elsewhere. Anybody who might steal these seats can go to the internet and see what they're worth. Your claim of no extra risk is simply wrong.

Not to mention the fact that you can look in the car, see the Kevlar and go, "Duh, that don't look like no regular seat ta me. Dat looks like one of dem exotic materials. OOoooo....I smell $$$$$."

 

+ 1, I know I'm paraonoid whenever I take my car out to someplace I'm not exactly familiar with. Hence my reasoning for going with "show car" insurance. Once I'm done with the car this year I'll be applying for the insurance and hopefully get accepted. I'll be valueing it in the 90k + range.

I don't have seats yet, but I'm looking to get a Bride CF/Kevlar seat and I KNOW how careful you have to be with having a car with sooo many expensive aftermarket parts. I really like the Recaro seats you have in the car. They look great, especially the shot from the hatch, love the carbon .

BTW - I would suggest going with a darker tint on the rear hatch. My tint setup is 20% on the windows, 5% on the hatch, and 5% on the front windshield. It does a GREAT job of decreasing visibility inside the car and hiding all my aftermarket parts (stereo system, and lots of electronics).

 

I can see the Recaro logo right through your windshield. It's plain to see from your photo on page 1 of this thread. Look through the windshield at an angle and you'll see the Kevlar structure.

Hey, man, I wish you the best of luck. I really do. But I've stayed in New Jersey. I have friends in New Jersey, at the shore and elsewhere. You KNOW people are going to be scoping out your car. You're running a big risk. You've got to know that already. My personal advice is to etch your name or identifying number somewhere on the Kevlar of that seat. I'd also look into insurance that will cover the full value of those seats. Your regular policy won't come close.
Otherwise, it'll all too easy to break a window and see those seats "gone in 60 seconds."

 

Ramy's post was right on the money

did I just say that?

 

If you guys are worried about buying nice stuff for your car then your pretty paranoid. You would seriously not buy nice stuff because someone might steal it??? Trust me, If someone wants to steal your car, the kinda seats you have is not gonna make a differnce. There gonna take it no matter what if they want it.

Our cars attract plenty of attention with stock seats. Aftermarket seats are not gonna make a differnce.

My car was stolen a month ago. What can i say. I lost 10k worth of aftermarket parts. I'm buying the same parts again. Allthough this time they will be covered under my insurance.

 

What Jconn is saying is drive around with a towel to cover the logo, lol.

 

I dunno why, but here's one last try.

Stop right there. Do you realize I AGREED with you on this? Stop arguing with yourself! lol

I STILL agree with you. Why are you restating such points??

Of course you do. But too bad all my posts *clearly* said THE AVERAGE THEIF. In fact, lets take a quick glance back at what I wrote...It seems to me that you don't read very well...

And you STILL miss my point. Go back and look at the pic DJF(NJ) posted through his front windshield. If that isn't subtle, I don't know what is. And then go back and look in the Interior/Exterior/Audio section in the threads w/ ppl posting pics of their racing seats. The black on red, the red on blue, the blue on yellow, with H U G E logos written on 'em. You gotta be freakin kidding me... I think you're just being stubborn - on purpose.

One question. Do you HAVE these seats, or have you ever even SEEN them? Because if you don't, please refrain from showing you have *no* idea what you're talking about.

Here's a shot of my RED (read that well...not black, but RED) Spirt R Recaros in my BLACK interior FD. Ie, to explain so you understand, they *should* stick out like CRAZY. This is what you see looking at my window that has LEGAL 35% tint. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/751536/tint1.jpg

And here's a shot looking STRAIGHT at the bolster of the passenger side seat, AND the carbon fiber/kevlar backing of the driver side seat. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/751536/tint4.jpg Hmm...you don't see too much, now do you?

I have MANY more pics like that, showing even a comparison of the seats from the door being open or the window rolled down, and the seats through the windshield. You can hardly even make out the seats. And before you mention it, I'm NOT concerned with stock window tint (or the lack thereof for that matter). I clearly posted on how when you modify your car, you have to take the appropriate steps to ensure it's safety. So again, WITH LEGAL TINTS (and I'm still going to be going with 20%s all around, AND tinting the front windshield (prob 50%), you can't make out much if anything at all.

Again, you're talking about things you have NO firsthand knowledge of. With the windows closed and the door closed, you CANNOT see any kevlar at ALL from the front or the sides. The interior becomes too dark, and the kevlar isn't a bright color. The dark weaves in it blend in the shadows. As for the pic from the rear, uhh, you DID notice he had the hatch open, right? Close that hatch, and add a bit of tint, and you can't make it out to any appreciable degree. And this isn't my hypothesizing or pulling things outta who knows where like (insert JConn2299's name here). This is from EXPERIENCE, a car I see day in and day out - my own.

~Ramy

What the? I must be seeing things...

 

Bro, I wouldn't post info like that. THAT'S the type of thing you want to keep to yourself. Unfortunately, like JConn2299 said, there are some dirty bastards on this forum who are scouting for cars to rob, and those type of posts will only entice them...

What kind of scale are you using Riz? Cuz the traditional method is, the %age reflects the amount of light let IN. So say, 20% tints only let IN 20% of the light, but keep OUT 80% of the light.

The reason I'm asking is, 5% on the front windshield is not driveable at night in any way or fashion. That's very dangerous. Ditto with 5% in the rear, because you'll have a lot of trouble seeing headlights behind you. I have 35% all around right now, but in sha'a Allah I'm going w/ 20% all around (pretty much the lowest you can go before you hit 5%), except the front windshield, which I'll be doing prob a 50%, but MAYBE a 35% if I can easily see out the front at night. Don't overlook safety at the expense of security

~Ramy

 

Even if he knows what he has, the only way he is going to get that kind of money for them is from the guys here on 7club as no one else really knows what they are other than nice subtle aftermarket racing seats with some CF.

Theres never a set for sale unless its being sold by Ramy or 2 other guys that bring in JDM parts. If a set got stolen i think everyone would hear about it and the odds of someone selling them without people noticing are next to none

Just food for thought

Rob

 

Hey DJF(NJ), the seats look great! But then you already knew that, didn't you?

Good move getting a set with OEM rails.

 

I was using the same scale as you and as I stated earlier I have 20% windows, 5% top of front windshield, and 5% hatch. I almost always drive with my windows down, the front tint distracts me in no way, and the hatch I've gotten used to. Its VERY difficult to see into my car when windows are up and I think its best that way.

BTW - I just made my own account instead of using my bro's. Oh and PLEASE hit me up whenever you're ready to help me out . Later

Rizwan

 

Ohh...you said TOP of the front windshield. I thought you had the WHOLE front windshield tinted to 5% lol. So you don't have any problems seeing cars/headlights when driving at night - especially through the REAR windshield? Cuz that's my biggest worry; not being able to tell exactly where cars are during night driving.

I'm almost ready

~Ramy

 

FDNewbie wrote:

"Go back and look at the pic DJF(NJ) posted through his front windshield. If that isn't subtle, I don't know what is."

JConn replies:

Finally you and I agree. You don't know what subtle is. The Recaro seat can be plainly seen through the windshield as can the Kevlar frame. They very clearly convey the message: "High Value." As I said, they're thief bait.

Do you think a diamond thief can tell the difference between cubit zirconia and a real gem? Sensible people do. So why do you think it's only you and a few others who can pick out a high buck racing seat?

 

Why? Because you're a relentless poster who has over 9,000 posts! LOL! You can't help yourself. Too, too funny.

 

LOL! As I stated earlier, there are none so blind as those who will not see.
Go back to page 1 of this thread and look at the through the windshield shot again. Look down by the center console. You can see the light colored Kevlar frame on the side of seat.
I don't know why you insist on deluding yourself into thinking no one can spot a Kevlar frame that's clearly visible in even a poor photograph, and apparently you think it's only you and a few others who can spot an exotic material and know these seats are high value items. But you are very wrong about that.

I invite any interested readers to return to page 1 and see for yourself. Think you can spot the light colored frame? It ain't hard.

 

Oh, wait...now I get it. I was wondering why he was so, so touchy. He sells these things so he has a financial interest at stake. Doesn't want to hurt business by getting people to think what thief bait they're putting in their cars. I was wondering why he was working so hard to downplay the visibility and the theft potential. I mean, why get your feathers so ruffled? Ahhhh....now I get it. Follow the money, as they say.

Well, me...I ain't selling jack. Just pointing out what we all can plainly see in a set of photographs. They are damn nice seats, I'll give you that. I just hope anybody who has them takes the proper precautions so the scumbags don't take advantage.

 

No, we don't. You STILL don't understand. Apparently you aren't very bright...

Really? Ok...I'd LOVE for anyone else's input. Which is more subtle... This:



OR this...



It's like I'm talking to a wall. You obviously have NO IDEA what other racing seats out there look like, w/ their bright two-tone colors and unique eye-catching designs...

I have a very simple suggesstion for you. Hooked on Phonics. Because I got news for you... YOU CAN'T READ. Do you have a learning disability or something? You're talking about a diamond thief (which in case you haven't noticed is a VERY specialized thief who is VERY competent in his niche), when I just finished quoting for you REPEATEDLY that I'm speaking abou the AVERAGE THIEF... Your level of intelligence (or lack thereof) is astounding...

Are you kidding me? Look who's making 3 - 4 individual posts in reply to my SINGLE post?! And you speak of post count...ha! Man you are quite the deluded one, aren't ya?

This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about...you have NO IDEA what YOU are talking about. You've OBVIOUSLY *NEVER* even SEEN a pair of these seats in your life. Lets post up the pic right here...



And here's a pic of the seats by themselves...same shot though, but in red, to better show the contrast:




Do you still see CF?? If so, lemme know. I know a few good eye doctors...

Now listen very closely, because I'm about to take you to school...

The OEM Recaros are BUCKET SEATS. The bucket itself is VERY narrow, and the bolsters are WIDER than the bucket throughout. Moreover, the bucket is the ONLY exposed are of the seat. The ENTIRE bolster - front AND back - is covered by the seat cloth. Put 1 + 1 together (I know you may have difficulty with this, but try anyway), and you get only one conclusion: given that the bolster is completely covered, and it's WIDER than the bucket, it's *impossible* to see the bucket, which is carbon fiber.

Furthermore, lets show you what I'm talking about...



Look at the seat on the left of the pic. From such an INCREDIBLY wide angle, you can STILL *HARDLY* see *ANY* carbon fiber from the seat. And from the pic of the seat on the right of the pic, you can see how the bucket is VERY narrow, the bolsters extend far to the sides, and are ENTIRELY covered in the seat cloth.

See, what you THOUGHT you saw in the first pic is simply some light in the rear of his FD, shining around the black plastic of the bins and tranny tunnel cover. It LOOKS light. But obviously, having never even SEEN the seats, it was clear you were pulling this outta your a$$, and ASSUMED it was the CF that was that light area.

No need to...it's right there in front of them.

Nice try...really. I congratulate you. This speaks *volumes* of your shady character. You don't like what someone has to say, and you can't argue their points, so you resort to attempting to attack their reputation. Too bad everyone who's done business w/ me knows VERY well what kind of straight-up businessman I am. And I don't NEED to defend or advertise these parts; they sell themselves. Nothing you can or will say will affect the long list of buyers I have lined up for seats that can hardly be found nowadays. So nice try...but better luck next time

Yes you are...you're selling your stubborness and ignorance, hoping desparately that ANYONE will agree w/ you. Ironically, one of the guys I despise the MOST on the forum agreed with ME. Hmm..what's that say about you? Do you really think ppl are going to spend $3K - $4K on seats and not think they're a theft risk? What you can't comprehend is, ppl that spend $3K - $4K on seats have spent PLENTY more on their cars, and the seats are the LEAST of their concerns.

Bottom line is, you don't know what you're talking about, and everyone on this forum can see that. So you keep on doing what you're doing; you've wasted enough of my time on this thread, so I'm just going to ignore you from now on.

~Ramy

 

ok wtf is going on in this thread? Im not reading all this babble... COLES NOTES please!

 

7_rocket, trust me, you're not missing out on much. JConn2299 just thinks he knows what he's talking about when he does't. That's the skinny. Your time is better spent reading something else more productive, cuz it's basically the same points repeated over and over, and JConn failing to understand them *each* time...

 

Jconn,

1) I have the RZ seats and you can't see it from the front unless you go up close.

2) with tint you can't see the carbon kevlar from the back either

3) The only time you can see the carbon kevlar is from the side if the door is open and/or if the seat is moved up forward for a short guy like me.

4) Seat theft is the least of my worries and Ramy is a stand up individual who would not try to push up his sales in this thread.