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Seat Cover Review

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by fshagan, Feb 26, 2006.

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  1. fshagan

    fshagan Senior Member

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    GTCovers and Wet Okole are well regarded here, but I didn't want to spend the money right now. I did find a set of EXACT FIT seat covers on eBay that are made by The Seat Cover Factory out of Houston TX. They sell them through their regular eBay store at http://stores.ebay.com/Exact-Fit-Seat-Covers for $59 (I bought mine second hand and bid up to $49 ... but I didn't realize how cheap these were new!) The company should not be confused with The Seat Cover Factory out of Oxnard, CA, which also makes seat covers in Oxnard. The Houston company actually has their covers sewn up in Costa Rica, and I suspect that's the main difference in price. The company's main business is providing these seat covers to car dealers, and some territories are still available if you want a home-based business ... see http://www.businessnation.com/bizopps/page...info.cgi?ID=163

    Since this is a mostly positive review, I want to say I'm not affilliated with them in any way, and do not sell these or get a commission, etc. (If I was really blasting them, I suppose I wouldn't need to say that ... but with the positive review, I felt it necessary).

    Anyway, with that out of the way, here's the review. I'm impressed with these, especially for the price. Installation required the gunting and pulling everyone's read about, but they fit reasonably well. You can get the straps holding the bucket seat bottoms down between the metal sides and the ulphostry on the side, but it does take some work.

    [attachmentid=2357]
    [attachmentid=2358]

    The cover for the center console is simple enough; two elastic bands simply hold it on. I was skeptical of this at first, but it works well. The cover is just a bit harder to close, but not bad at all. And the back of the bucket seat covers fit OK, although from the back view you can tell there are seat covers on. This might be the area where the more expensive GT Covers have an advantage (I don't know, as I haven't seen any close up!)

    [attachmentid=2359]
    [attachmentid=2360]

    The back seats take some time to put on. The seat bottom pulls up and out if you tug on the front of the bottom about 10" from each side. Then the seat bottom cover is pretty easy to put on. The seat backs are a bit more trouble, as you have to try and line up various holes for the seat belts, release buttons, catch bar, headrests, etc. But they look pretty good.

    [attachmentid=2361]
    [attachmentid=2362]

    The headrests back here, like the back of the bucket seats, look like covers with all the tell tale puckers. The front headrests have velcro closures, but for the back three headrests, the covers are fashioned more like shower caps. They work, but you can tell they are covers. I'm considering taking some thread and making some adjustments myself ....

    [attachmentid=2363]
    [attachmentid=2364]

    The full set includes a little cover for the center armrest that works well, and covers for the side panels as well. Here, you can see that I haven't tucked the edging into the seam under the vent for the batteries in the back on the left side. The fit is to tight, so I need to loosen this panel first. The other side panel is also provided, and it fits well. I did have a time getting the right side seat so that it would latch easily ... the seatback has a cut out for the latch bar, but it didn't seem to line up as well as it should (or I was tugging and pulling a bit too much).

    [attachmentid=2365]
    [attachmentid=2366]
    [attachmentid=2368]

    And finally, the backs of the back seat, where you can see that they are, indeed, seat covers:

    [attachmentid=2367]

    These seat covers seem to be well made, with good fitting components for $59 covers! My local Toyota dealer had them on sale for $99, marked down from $149, which is their regular price at that dealer. They are sold under different names on the web as well, but I think these are the only ones sewn in Costa Rica.

    They only seem to come in the velour, and the only colors I've seen are the beige and grey like mine above. So you don't get the depth of choice you do with GT Covers. But I was impressed that the center console, headrests, and back side panels were included, even if the fit for the head rests could be better.
     
    #1 fshagan, Feb 26, 2006
  2. Walker1

    Walker1 Empire

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    Do you have a 2005 Prius? I have a 2006 and want grey front seat covers only. Do you know if the 2006's seats are the same size as an '05? Thanks.
     
    #2 Walker1, Feb 26, 2006
  3. Begreen

    Begreen Member

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    Thanks for the detailed review and photos. Looks like a good low-priced alternative. Make the interior looks velvety. Is the piping really pinkish or is that just the photo? This seems more pronounced on the back seats.
     
    #3 Begreen, Feb 26, 2006
  4. Catskillguy

    Catskillguy New Member

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    I ordered & received the same for my 06 with gray interior. One problem is, they sent the set for cars with side airbags. MY 06 does not have side airbags. The other thing is, I ordered the 'Endura' fabric. This is supposed to be a nylon material, water repellent, not the velour I received. This is not good.

    I called up the toll free number and the rep said she needed some 10 digits number that was not on the internet sales confirmation or the shipping document. They couldn't look it up by name or anything.... I went home after work to find this mysterious 10 digit # on whatever else I could look at. STILL can't find it!

    The person was nice, but it sounds like they have a real crappy operation customer service wise.

    I can't give any opinions on fit, since I am not unpacking anything.
     
    #4 Catskillguy, Feb 26, 2006
  5. fshagan

    fshagan Senior Member

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    I have a 2006, and these covers are for a 2005. I took a chance with them, as the eBay listing was from a guy who had a 2005, so he wasn't sure it would fit. The listing on their eBay store shows them for 2004 - 2006, I think.
     
    #5 fshagan, Feb 26, 2006
  6. fshagan

    fshagan Senior Member

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    It is the photos ... I took them in the garage using my digital camera, so the color rendition isn't quite right. The overall look of the covers is good, very close to the original color.
     
    #6 fshagan, Feb 26, 2006
  7. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Fshagan -

    Thanks for all the great pictures and details! I just recieved a set from a fellow member here, and was putting on the rear covers...

    How the heck do the bolster covers go on?! There are plastic tabs on one side, and vecro on the other. What the heck does the velcro attach to? This one has my stymied for sure! I see that yours are on though... so spill the beans! What am I missing here?! Thanks!
     
    #7 darelldd, Mar 13, 2006
  8. fshagan

    fshagan Senior Member

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    You can identify the right from the left by the length ... the shorter one is for the left/passenger side to allow for the vent louvers on that side. Once you have the side of the car it goes on figured out, then place it up against the bolster with the velour side facing the right direction, and the plastic tabs "outbound" (toward the nearest door). Those tabs get crammed into crevice between the door molding and the bolster. The velcro "sticks" to the rear compartment carpet. Maybe these pics will help!

    Here is the plastic piece on the left/driver's side that gets crammed into the space between the door molding and bolster:
    [attachmentid=2550]

    Here's a shot of the top portion peeled back a bit so you can see the velcro:
    [attachmentid=2551]

    And another, longer range shot
    [attachmentid=2552]

    Hope this helps!
     
    #8 fshagan, Mar 14, 2006
  9. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Thanks tons! It doesn't appear that there's even a reason to remove the bolsters... yet that's what the instructions say to do. Remove, and cover and stick the Velcro. Only works if it is in place, of course! I half-way figured that the velcor should go to the carpet, but wasn't sure how removing the bolster played into that program.

    Much appreciated!
     
    #9 darelldd, Mar 14, 2006
  10. fshagan

    fshagan Senior Member

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    Well, I didn't have instructions, so I didn't remove them. But it looks to me like the little cut out for the seat back latch is there where the velcro sticks to the carpet.

    On the other side, with the vent louvers, it might work better to remove it and install the cover. On mine I have the seam across the top of it which looks unsightly.
     
    #10 fshagan, Mar 14, 2006
  11. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Yup! And the flap at the bottom just hangs down and covers the bolt (I guess). Yes, the instructions tell you the proper socket size (12mm) to remove the bolster, but then doesn't say a THING about how the cover goes on! No mention of the plastic tabs, or Velcro to the carpet (which can only be done with the bolster in place, of course). Here's one of those times where reading the instructions screwed me up! :)

    OK. They're easy to remove, certainly! I finally got the driver's side done. I'll get the passenger side later.

    I'm only doing the rear seats because we have a kid and a dog back there. I think I'll just leave the fronts as they are. Anybody need the front covers?
     
    #11 darelldd, Mar 14, 2006
  12. marjam

    marjam Member

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    This is exactly what I was looking for. It does not mention whether they fit with the seat mounted air bags. Do you have these?
     
    #12 marjam, Jun 19, 2006
  13. Catskillguy

    Catskillguy New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(marjam @ Jun 19 2006, 07:26 AM) [snapback]273351[/snapback]</div>

    They do make those, just specify with your order
     
    #13 Catskillguy, Jun 19, 2006
  14. ghostofjk

    ghostofjk New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(marjam @ Jun 19 2006, 04:26 AM) [snapback]273351[/snapback]</div>
    Yes, there's a cut-out.
     
    #14 ghostofjk, Jun 19, 2006
  15. dancekat59

    dancekat59 Member

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    I did some searching and found that the company is "The Seat Cover Factory East". Instead of $49/$59 eBay prices, their website sells the complete set for $79 which is still a great bargain, imo. I'm now wondering if the items they sell on eBay might be 2nds.
    Their website here:
    http://www.exactseatcovers.com/
     
    #15 dancekat59, Jun 21, 2006
  16. brighamwj

    brighamwj Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dancekat59 @ Jun 21 2006, 01:53 PM) [snapback]274745[/snapback]</div>
    the wet okoles are pricey but water and bomb proof. Perfect for after surfing
     
    #16 brighamwj, Jun 23, 2006
  17. tenchi_violin

    tenchi_violin New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dancekat59 @ Jun 21 2006, 10:53 AM) [snapback]274745[/snapback]</div>
    I saw their website has 3 options for its fabric: Velour, Twill and Endura waterproof. Does anyone knows what are they and which one is better looking, thank you very much!!

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brighamwj @ Jun 22 2006, 09:36 PM) [snapback]275651[/snapback]</div>
    I saw their website has 3 options for its fabric: Velour, Twill and Endura waterproof. Does anyone knows what are they and which one is better looking, thank you very much!!
     
    #17 tenchi_violin, Jun 27, 2006
  18. Catskillguy

    Catskillguy New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tenchi @ Jun 27 2006, 12:02 AM) [snapback]277194[/snapback]</div>

    I ordered the Endura, got velour.. When I called up, they said that was all it came in... (At least for what I ordered (gray/ no side air bags)

    The quality was fine, especcially for the price, but customer service is where they save costs
     
    #18 Catskillguy, Jun 27, 2006
  19. powrfuel

    powrfuel New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Catskillguy @ Jun 27 2006, 05:23 AM) [snapback]277293[/snapback]</div>


    wow...reminds me of a sofa I had in 1970..sharp!
     
    #19 powrfuel, Jun 27, 2006
  20. heavenleigh

    heavenleigh New Member

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    Ok, I bought these in velour for my tan 04 about six months ago, and I really have to disagree. I only have the front bucket seat covers. The tops (seat backs) fit quite well, but the bottoms are a DISASTER. I don't think there is any way to latch the long velcro strips that are supposed to go horizontally under the seat. Both my passenger and driver bottoms constantly get pulled towards the front until I am sitting on the plastic latches. I cannot for the life of me get them to stay in their correct position.

    The headrest covers are WAY too small to velcro at all around the bottom.

    Incidentally, they collect cat hair like no one's buisiness, but that is probably mostly my fault.

    I really didn't expect a whole lot better for $49 and its better than nothing, but I am really disappointed in the bottom of the bucket seats.

    --
    Hillary
     
    #20 heavenleigh, Jun 27, 2006
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