Aftermarket leather seats for '07?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ucsbgaucho @ Feb 23 2007, 02:48 PM) [snapback]395495[/snapback]</div>

We added the dealer-installed leather to our 07 at purchase. You get a big book of leather samples, you pick the color/texture you want, perforation is optional, make appointment, takes a day. We added heated front seats, which work great. Make sure the heating switches off when the car is powered off, ours does. I wish we'd added heat to the rear seats as well. We skipped perforation. Airbag compatibility is not a problem. The quality of the work was very good and the seats look like factory.

I chose a color as close to the plastic interior molding as possible. If I had to do it over again, I'd be more daring in my color choice, maybe ask for contrasting piping. Anyway, I'd start by getting a quote from your dealer. Then find the auto upholstery shops in town, get quotes there too. You might find the one that does the dealer's work.

Not sure this will change the seat's comfort. We didn't have the car with cloth seats long enough to have an opinion on pre-leather seat comfort. The post-leather seats are decently comfortable but the cushion could be a bit deeper. I suspect a good auto upholstery shop can extend the cushion a bit, but everything custom costs money.

 

My dealer here in Portland said that they have a shop that adds leather that is actually thicker than the factory leather. I figure if they take it to another shop. why not find the shop and cut out the middle man. This is why I decided to go with cloth seats. Once they start to wear, I bet I can add leather for less than the $1350 option price.

Thanks for the idea about heated seats. I never new those could be added after market.

 

Aftermarket leather usually runs $1000-1500 installed, and most shops use the Katzkin package (check out their website), which has received positive reviews on this site. I almost had it put into my 2005, but then traded it in for a 2006 with factory leather. Now I wish I'd ordered the 2006 w/o leather, as I would've gone with aftermarket darker grey or black instead of the OEM light gray, and would've put in heat at the same time. You pick from many colors, go two-tone, perf/non perf., etc.

Heated seats, about $250/side.

 

I just got a Prius with leather seats. Leather doesn't make them more comfortable. I am a tall person and am having real issues with the drivers seat. I test drove the car and it was fine. Then I drive 300 miles. That was the real test. Now I'm in agony. Any ideas?

 

B) We like the leather in our 2007 Touring Edition - Package 6 {factory installed leather}. I would add, however, we did not find the fabric seats uncomfortable or low in quality on our 2004 {traded in}. The fabric was easy to clean and after 2+ years still looked good when we traded it.

Candidly, the only differences we note on the leather is how much easier it is to swing your butt around when entering/exiting the Prius, the nice leather smell { SNIFF, SNIFF }, and the quasi-leather coverings on the arm rests and center console. We preferred factory leather since the port-installed had thin pads under the leather termed "Liquicell Comfort" - they felt lumpy.

My 2¢ worth . . . .

 

Katzkin has two different packages for the 2006/2007 Prius. One states it is for the Prius without side air bags. This makes no sense to me as the side air bags are not in the seats.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Mar 10 2007, 01:51 AM) [snapback]403232[/snapback]</div>

Hrm, the seat on my '07 has a little plastic piece that *says* there is an airbag there...

I actually have a leather Recaro seat on order for my 07, because I am a big dude and would like to lower the seat about 3 inches... cost is ~$2k installed (ouch).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Mar 9 2007, 10:51 PM) [snapback]403232[/snapback]</div>

What do you not understand in the phrase "Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags"?

 

Greetings.

I just ordered my first Prius, a 2007 Package #4. The dealer here in PA offerred me an aftermarket leather package (F&R seats, armrests and console) with heated F seats for $1200 total. They also added an Factory Interactive Sirius Radio for $475 installed. Also got the car for well under invoice, with the 2.9% APR.

No gouging and my sales manager KNEW the Prius and the available options very well. I did have to point them to the Factory Interactive radio option, but my sales person got back to me within an hour of my request and had the price and install set up.

I did check with other local dealers and they were higher on the price of the car and were not knowlegeable on any aftermarket options. One guy researched the Sirius radio after I gave him the name of the product and actually called back to offer me a Circuit City $60 radio kit as his solution. Never did get an answer on upgraded seats.

Guess I struck gold with the dealer I made the deal with....

dmr

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TSCaine @ Mar 9 2007, 01:47 PM) [snapback]402912[/snapback]</div>

We have a '06 and the seats are killing our legs and backs. My wife and I have tried all types of back supports, cushions and about anything we can think of with no improvement.

If you come across anything PLEASE let me know. If nothing turns up shortly, probably will trade it in on something more comfortable in the spring.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TSCaine @ Mar 9 2007, 10:47 AM) [snapback]402912[/snapback]</div>

I have had my 07 Prius Pkg 3 now for about 1 week and am really noticing the awkward driving position and lack of mobility in sliding the front seat back further. I would definitely appreciate more leg room so my legs weren't bent all of time. I shudder to think about using this car for long trips. Otherwsie , I love the car!

Rick

 

I am also one of those who added aftermarket leather to my '06 Prius.

I bought a package #3 and it would have cost me an extra $5000 to go to package #6 just to get the leather.

So instead I went to an aftermarket shop that does 95% dealer work and had it installed for $1100. Besides looking like a factory job, I had a choice of many colors and textures that Toyota just doesn't offer.

Many dealers will not tell you about aftermarket leather and you will wind up thinking that you have to go to the top package if you want leather. Don't buy that line!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dvdirv @ Mar 16 2007, 12:57 PM) [snapback]406828[/snapback]</div>

How did you locate the shop that did work for the Dealer, just ask ?
Carl

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Mar 10 2007, 08:32 AM) [snapback]403295[/snapback]</div>

My 2007 doesn't say that. In fact the airbag label is on the front windshield columns not in the seats.

 

My bad....I just checked my seats again and saw the other SRS airbag tag on the seats. So they are in the seats and column.

 

After looking over my seats again, I can't figure out how the airbags would exit the seats. The seams looks sewn up to me.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ucsbgaucho @ Feb 23 2007, 05:48 PM) [snapback]395495[/snapback]</div>

I have a '06, live in San Diego, and am very pleased with results. Even had heated seats put in front (bad back) and after market amp, speakers and door, floor and ceiling sound deadening. Absolutely no difference in mileage either.

 

Re: Aftermarket leather seats for '07?

They actually have "break-away" seams. They are stitched differently in the sides.

And finding a shop that does both dealer work of this nature and is open to the public will be difficult. In our large Tampa Bay Area, we are the only reputable group that does both a large amount of dealer work, and also has a large retail custom shop for the general public. If you were to just have a custom interior installed, you would be charged maybe $2k or more! So it is definitely worth it to get the Roadwire or Katzkin kit installed whether it be by the dealership or if you are lucky enough to find a retail shop who is also an authorized retailer/installer of the product.