I spoke with Mark from Star Auto & Sound and he says if I deal directly through him it will cost about $1000. But if I bring him the leather he will only charge $370 to install it. He said to ask "my friend" that just had his Prius done a few weeks ago where he got his leather covers from and he'll be able to do the install and save money. So this goes out to my good buddy hill, can I get the number to the leather supplier?
I'm glad the 2004 did not come with leather. I guess since the 2006 came out, PETA will have to take back their award to the Prius for not having leather seats in it.
I put 33,000 miles on my 2004 Prius with ivory cloth seats before I traded it in on a 2006 package 8. I think the 2006 with the leather is more comfortable but want to reserve judgement until it has 5,000+ miles on it. The cloth is actually reasonably easy to keep clean. The leather is definitely hotter in my warm Florida weather. I notice I keep the A/C on more with the leather and still my back starts sweating. Although the leather is factor installed with the small holes in it still doesn't cover the center consol or arm rests. The dealer specifically told me it would when I ordered the package 8 so we "discussed" the issue when I picked it up. Between the two, I'd probably order leather again - the car is definitely classier.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jkash @ Apr 5 2006, 02:31 PM) [snapback]235483[/snapback]</div> As a card-carrying member of PETA I still need to be comfortable.
Just to let you guys know, if you want leather for an '06 it's going for $600 not including labor to install. Might get it done next week.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samoan_ridah @ Apr 5 2006, 03:23 AM) [snapback]235157[/snapback]</div> Just ask your dealer who they take their cars to when they needed leather installed in a vehicle. In Indianapolis I have used National Auto Spa which most dealers use. Their work passes for a factory job!
The leather seats are definitely more comfortable. They have something called "LiquiCell" in them. I was able to get them without ordering a full package. My dealer said they were not in the car as shipped. They were added, he said, in Houston when it was FOB (fresh off the boat). He indicated that he could have installed leather at his store but it would have been more expensive and of lesser quality. They also said the leather option includes faux-leather (we used to call it "naugahide"?) on the center console. As previously posted I had the arm rests re-done in leather and took that opportunity to have the center console done as well. Mainly for durability but also because I saved money by the shop using leather they had in stock that was slightly darker than the Toyota seats. Having it on the arm rests and console made it look less like an add-on, and to me provides a nice subtle two-tone touch. FYI, according to the dealer many of the packages are added to the vehicles after they hit the port. There story to me was "we have a red one with side airbags coming into Houston on the boat in two days. Instead of adding package ** (3 I think) we'll just put in the leather and mats". Two weeks later I had my car.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samoan_ridah @ Apr 4 2006, 11:23 PM) [snapback]235157[/snapback]</div> Hi guys: Thanks Gary for the referral! The guys from Star Auto got numerous calls, but they are just an installers and don't have the kits. Anyways, I have only 2 kits left at the Blow-out price ($397), and they are in Dark Gray for the 2004-05 Prius w/out Side Airbags. We just got the kits for the 2006 Priuses in Dark Gray and Beige colors. We CAN get kits for almost any car, any year in almost any color (over 50). Other options are also available, like 2-tone, perforation, piping +++++ BTW, our wholesale price is only $596 and as far as the quality, I hope Gary "Hill", would vouch for. Thanks. 818-399-4770 Al
