Seat Covers..Yes or No?

I'm interesting in this conversation because I plan on buying seat covers as well, though not out of necessity... I just want the color and something a bit more comfortable than stock fabric. I got some swatches from Wet Okole but it doesn't seem like it would be as comfortable as I'd like, so I'm debating between fake sheepskin (cotton and polyester, usually) and velour. I ordered swatches from SeatCovers.net as I'm considering trying them out and seeing if they're legitimate.

 

The swatches from Wet Okole only give you an idea of the color. The seat covers are very thick and add lots of cushion.

 

I got a set of GT fronts a year and a half ago for my '04. They're great! The thin layer of foam backing under the seat portion is just right. They fit perfectly. There are cutouts for my side air bags.

I've spilled drinks on them and they hand-wash well (machine washing not recommended). There's a good pocket on the back, of course, the full width of the seat.

The under-seat installation straps---they use both velcro and buckles---are easy to use.

I have the gray upholstery, and though these covers don't approximate it, they don't clash, either.

I can't find the receipt, but I think they cost around $150.

 

Does anyone who owns sheepskin seat covers find that they stink up your car? I received a nice set, but I'm afraid to put them in because they are fairly pungent and have made the room I'm keeping them in smell a bit strange. I don't want to cover up that new car smell quite yet. Are these a lousy set of seat covers, or is this just the nature of sheepskin???

 

I think it's the nature of the, um, beast.

They'll "mat", too.

I've bought imitation sheepskin (acrylic) that doesn't smell, is durable and works fine.

 

I have had my sheepskin seat covers for about 5 weeks now and think they are fantastic. They look first class and the flint matches the inside of my black Prius so well with no smell at all. I give www.jumbucksheepskins.com 10/10 for service and fit of their product that took him three days to make by hand The centre console cover made from sheepskin feels so nice to rest your arm on and looks great also.

Andrew

 

Do you have pictures???

 

Has any one used Coverking covers?

 

I can second that opinion. I'm (not-so-patiently) waiting for my wet okole seat covers to arrive for my Prius. I had a set in my Jeep Wrangler (how's that for a switch? lol) and they held up beautifully. Those seats were less comfortable than the Prius, but the extra cushion made a HUGE difference. They are extremely tough, and nothing I did, dogs, kids, moving, leaving the top down for weeks at a time (rain or not) made a dent in 'em.

Depending on the colors you get, and what you do with them, they CAN stain, but that's true of any seat cover. The only stain that I couldn't get out of my YELLOW seat covers was from moving power tools, etc, and the grease and grime set in because I didn't clean the covers for a few months after moving. I'm betting that if I'd have been more prompt in cleaning, that would have come off as well.

Side question- for anyone who got the Wet Okoles for the Prius... did a center console cover come with the set? Has anyone ordered armrest covers from them? I am under the understanding that the center console is coming, though I might have misunderstood. Thanks!

 

They did include the center console in mine, for an extra charge. However, I have heard others say they got it for free. It was not worth whatever they charged me for it though. It is not up to the usual Wet Okole quality. Just a circular piece of neoprene with elastic around the edges. The fit is not very good. So I went to Prius HoodsPrius Hoods and bought that and the Hood in leather.

 

I was looking at the items there tonight. I REALLY need to get some armrest covers, and quick! It's amazing how quickly those armrests look terrible, even if you're being careful with them. Or maybe it's just me, lol. You've been happy with the items from there?

 

I am pretty happy with the two items I have bought, the center console cover and MFD hood. I want the arm rest covers to, but I am not quite ready to fork over $80. How much are the original replacements vs protecting them?

 

After 57k miles on my 04 the seats look brand new. The center armrest and driver's door armrest show slight wear and slight discoloration (ivory).

For the bottom of the seat covers I amy trying a smoother material then the stock or GT Covers materials. Smoother material is much more comfortable on hour plus drives. I have tried nauguhyde and it doesn't grab your pants like the stock material. The darn seat bottom side bolsters are too narrow and high so you tend to sink into seat as you drive. Naugahyde is warmer then the cloth material.
Yes a little more padding on the seat bottom helps a lot also.

 

I went ahead and had leather installed. Seats front and rear, armrests and center console. I love it. A bit pricy though. The leather also has tags on them saying air bag. on the outside seat back bolsters.Seems to help a llitle with seat comfort too.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

What are "GT SEATCOVERS?" Some members say that they have them.

 

It's a cloth seat cover. You buy them as either a front or rear set. The front set includes covers for the headrests and the center console. The rear set includes covers for the headrests, center fold-down and the spots on either side of the seats. They come in a variety of colors and fabrics, and can be ordered to be set up for airbags. They install pretty quick and can be removed for washing (hand washing only).

I got mine from a Toyota dealer for $99 a set. They had swatches of the material so I could take it out and match it to the car's interior. Instead of trying to match it with the ivory interior, I went with gray (with a pattern) to hide the dirt.

You can see some at
http://www.gtcovers.com/shop/categories.as...=6479&main=4975

 

Another option are Wet Okole seat covers which are made of neoprene.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.scubadivervideo.com/images/Prius/Frontweb.jpg

 

Yes and yes. Mind you, I have a dashboard cover so the MFD cover slides right in between it and the MFD itself. It won't work for all angles, but it does help with the glare.

 

Seat covers are good in my book, never know if the 50-year old piece of electronic junk I have sitting on the seat may leak or try to leave a rust stain! Leather is good too, treat regularly with Lexol, and it will put up with almost anything. Hey, it's durable enough to protect a cow's butt, it's good enough for a car seat.