tabbaranx Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 What are people's opinions on the pro's and cons of the two? I've always been a fan of leather as easier to keep clean and looks better but recently found Alcantara to be more expensive than leather. Can't really see the justification for the higher price. Opinions please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briano Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Leather is too cold or too hot Alcabtara is more comfortable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) I'm not a fan of leather seats. For the bolsters it fine as nice and hard wearing. But find them slippy when spirited driving. I prefer my GT alcantara seats. And yeah very cold in the mornings with leather! Edited February 3, 2014 by splinter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_28 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 I'm not a fan of leather seats. For the bolsters it fine as nice and hard wearing. But find them slippy when spirited driving. I prefer my GT alcantara seats. And yeah very cold in the mornings with leather! Exactly the reason I wish they'd have put heated leathers in the gen 7! Is this somethin that can b added?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Technically yeah. You can buy a set of heat pads and install then into the foam. You would need to do a bit of research as to the heat resistance and wether you need some extra protection and stuff. But anything is technically possible!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyRacer Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 I do like leather but the seat has to support you well to stop you slipping around with a normal seat belt. One of the reasons I use a CG lock. Can be cold but with heated seats you can toast nicely. I has alcantara centres on my wife's Lexus and really did like it. Would probably prefer the Celica to have full alcantara complete with wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Alcantara is more expensive because it's man-made and phenomenally hard-wearing. It retails for between £85 - £150 per metre and is 1.4 metres wide. An average full-size leather hide is around 5 square metres and a top quality, UV treated upholstery hide can set you back £300 plus delivery. In comparison, approximately 5 square metres of Alcantara (even at £85 per metre) will sting you for £476 (4 metres long x 1.4 metres wide). As a rough guide to coverage, 5 square metres will usually cover a pair of front seats. Another 5 square metres for the rear seats. So, anyone who fancies a full Alcantara retrim but balks at the £1,000+ quote they're given, just try and remember that the poor trimmer would like to try and get some sort of payout for the huge amount of time and effort that goes into building seats... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dublet Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 I'm not a fan of leather seats. [..] But find them slippy when spirited driving. Leather is slippy, cold in the winter and boiling in the summer. I don't get why people like them so much. I got shot of the leathers in the faff in favour of cloth seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 indeed duds, i have never seen the attraction. more trouble than they are worth. same with sofas. for my last house and batchelor pad, i bought a huge corner sofa in black leather! gets very hot sticky and sweaty! lovely... although they were wipe clean... Giggedy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foogles Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Leather looks better though and doesn't look dated like cloth seats in all Celica's (well, all cars infact) do with their 80's/90's patterns of varying degrees of garishness. It's a style choice at the end of the day. I'm happy to deal with a cold/hot backside for a better interior just like some people are happy with inferior handling by putting 18/19" wheels on in wanting their car to look better. The alcantara Gen 7 GT seats provide the best of both worlds though and id have them in my car in a heartbeat if they weren't so expensive and hard to get hold of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabbaranx Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Yeah I think the GT seats have the best combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Once upon a time in the future, when I get some bucket seats, my GT interior will be for sale on here. Be a while off yet though! They are fantastic seats but aren't grippy enough. I need some racing seats that really hug you tight for track days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabbaranx Posted February 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Now I have the red alcantara back in mine, I really like it but may have the side bolsters re trimmed in leather In the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnyboy1976 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Once upon a time in the future, when I get some bucket seats, my GT interior will be for sale on here. Be a while off yet though! They are fantastic seats but aren't grippy enough. I need some racing seats that really hug you tight for track days. Need these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ams Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 only reason I prefer leather is that I jump in and out my car a lot - leather is very easy to clean compared to cloth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Johnny. I would have them off you in a heart beat if they were for sale mate. And if they are PM me some details. My dream seat is the Bride Gias Low max. Which of in not mistaken, are these seats? I have the Takata harness already. Mine is the black version with green text Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnyboy1976 Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Yeah these are those seats but mine not for sale - i love my seats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4jw Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 leather is great for longevity but hate the feel love alacantra, moreover suede, but it wears faster. def feels better but that's my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arizona Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 I'm not a fan of the leather in gen 7's it doesnt seem anywhere near the quality of the gen 6 ones. In the gen 6 they look far better than the fabric ones, easy to clean and not noticed any problems when driving enthusiastically Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 Leather gen 7 seats in a faff , good fun , you end up driving from both seats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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