Most comfortable seat? (replacement)

Wow those Recaros look sweeet! I would put those in my car.

I was contemplating just switching and reshaping some of the seat foam and retaining all devices like airbag sensors airbag, and slip these over.

 

Any well-trained physical therapist should tell you, one person's lumbar support is another's lumbar misery. In addition, moving an inch here or there can feel like a huge difference in placement. My point is, unless you purchase a seat with incredibly variable support, the ideal thing to do is to get a true lumbar support from either a PT clinic or a Relax the Back store or somewhere of that sort, then take it to a place doing Katzkin installs and have them cover it to match your interior if you want. Unless you are leaning forward and back away from your setback all the time, you can just put it where you want it and take it out when you don't. Or, they can attach a leather strap (or whatever you like) to secure the support for you. On the extreme side, they can literally put it inside your seat cover and re-shape your seat back.

One important thing to remember for lumbar issues is that most people slump when they sit - kind of tucking their butt under them and sitting more back on their tailbone and even their sacrum. A horrible posture sure to cause problems in a GREAT many people. Whatever you choose, sit up on your "sit-bones" instead of the slump - maintain that low back curve that is supposed to be there and if you like to recline a bit, tilt the entire back but keep the low back curve in your posture. I hope this helps. Nothing quite like back pain! Best of luck.

 

I'm still trying to figure this out.

 

I have a 3 week old Prius that I hate sitting in- I am basically crippled after sitting in it! I have tried every pillow and pad there is and there isn't anything that helps. Anyway, I think I'm going to do the Recaro seat- it's expensive but less than what I'd lose if I sold the car now, and tried to get another car. I don't want to try re-shaping the stock seat, since I have no idea what would make it better or what to tell the upholsterer. I could end up making it worse. I need a good seat, with adjustability. My question- will this affect the Toyota bumper to bumper warranty if I put in a Recaro? I'll call Toyota tomorrow to check. Just wondering if anyone knew...

actually, my Prius is only TWO weeks old. Worst car seat I've sat in in my entire life, but the mpg is unbelievable.

 

IMO it has to be replaced, it simply lacks adjustment and that cant be corrected

 

Gen III is awful, hate my 2011 seats.

 

Any result?

 

called Toyota warranty and they say they do NOT recommend putting in an after market seat- they were vague on how it would void the warranty but said "it could"- she gave example about the electrical system malfunctioning could be blamed on the installation of the seat, did the installer change sensors in the steering wheel, side airbag light etc. I was thoroughly frustrated and confused by the time I hung up but have called twice and each time I am told I may be jeopardizing my warranty by putting in a seat. Sigh. Now thinking about Katzkin leather and some extra padding in lumbar, etc. Not sure it will help much, but alternative is to be really uncomfortable, or sell the car.

 

I think the answer then is to get some professional help in replacement seat fitment, that would take care of inferior electrical work. If these are your concerns then something like a Recaro seat comes to the fore as it has the quality and reputation required, and the hardware to enable the seat to fit.

As for the warranty bit, since recaro fit the things in mercedes etc, they have the experience to cover the bases. Cars have various bits commonly changed from stock, tyres (arguably more important than seats for safety) just being one. Toyota may find it a little hard to make a case that their seats are the only option particularly when it could be established that their seat is inadequate.

 

You guys should become familiar with the Magnuson-Moss Act: Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basically, the dealer/manufacturer has to prove that the specific modification caused a specific failure, and then, they can only refuse to repair that related item. In other words, installing a seat will not void a warranty repair of a suspension related issue, etc.

 

I did just discover the Magnusson- Moss warranty act. Also, I think the guy who would put in my Recaro (in Berkeley, Griffin Motorwerkes, is extremely experienced and qualified, and has been doing this sort of work for 30 years. I would totally trust his installation. He has put Recaros in other Prius cars.

 

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Whoa, Bay Area Prius with a Recaro, please post pic's when the job is done. I'm in Santa Clara and would love to see how it is done.

 

Me too.

 

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who hates these seats. I thought my Ford truck was bad, but the Prius is painful after a couple hours. I think I may test fit the seats from my Lexus SC in there and see how much work it will be. I know I'll need a resistor to keep the airbag light off.

 

Got the Ct 200h driver seat in, can't figure out how to get the power setup yet, but alreay drove it this weekend and comfort is like a dream compared to the prius seat.

 

Until this point, my usual trip never exceeded a 1/2 hour. I just returned from NYC, which is about 2 hours each way to/from home, and my biggest issue with discomfort was how hard the seat bottom is. I don't have a lot of posterior padding myself, so I need compensation there.

I think a good gel pad might be enough for me. If it can eventually be imbedded under the seat material, that would be preferable.

 

Just noticed this thread tonight.

I just bought a 2014 Prius 2 with standard Upholstery. I took it to a reputable upholsterer in the SF Bay Area and paid him $600 to re-do the upholstery in the drivers seat only. Picked it up tonight.

My previous car was a Volvo S-60. Yes that upholstery was exceptional. I told him I wanted a feel something like the upholstery in that car.

Initial take is that the upholstery is significantly better. However I'll be in a better position to comment in a week or so ...after I've driven it back and forth to work for five days. Stay tuned to this station.

 

At least it's more comfortable now. Still working on power to driver seat and plug on passenger.


SCH-R530M ?

 

Got harness replaced on passenger seat. No more airbag light. Now to get wiring done on power for driver.