Why get III over IV if you want leather?

I'm pretty sure that more often than not, the dealer-installed leather won't have leather door panels... at least the local dealerships here are that way.

 

We got a III knowing we'll get leather eventually, because dark gray wasn't dark enough for us. When we feel its time to change the cloth, we'll put a darker shade of gray (darker like the top part of the dash) on the door inserts and the seats and call it a day. My only wish is to have gotten the leather wrapped steering wheel that the IV comes with.

 

Just get the leather done yourself, Katzkin is pretty much the dominant player. Dealer cost is about 900 to 1000, they do do the door panels and can perf whatever you want. They can also do 2 tone or all sorts of custom stuff. It really is nice stuff. No connection just have used them over many years.

 

Coming soon: Why get the II over the III if you want bluetooth?

The answer is money. Some people like to save money by doing things themselves, others like to have the dealer take care of the hassle of part selection and installation for a guaranteed standard of quality.

If you JUST want leather, then $2500 or whatever is twice (or more) what you'd pay anywhere else.

 

Not to try and tick off the IV and V owners out there, but the prius factory leather is garbage (as is the case with almost all factory leather). Any aftermarket leather will be of higher quality and cost much less than the price difference between a III and IV. Not only that, but factory leather seats are not all leather. Only the center portion of what you see is actually leather, the rest is synthetic.

 

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Mama said if I don't have anything nice to say...

Sorry, but I've never been impressed by factory leather (or port installed leather for that matter) and those quotes are outrageous.

 

I'm a Lexus owner as well and honestly, the Prius looks and feels as good. OE Leather will always be nicer than any aftermarket. Whoever recommended Katzkins is delusional. No way in hell that aftermarket cover will be better than OE. Fit and finish will be apparent... but I guess we all have our own opinions.

We were offered 1200 to add the Leather on a charcoal interior on a package III but chose to go with the package IV because the price difference was about 1500. We felt having the garage link, chromatic windows, lumbar support, heated seats, matching leather steering wheel and doors, and 3 door alarm key fob for the trunk was enough to justify spending on the package 4.

 

We had the dealer send out our just arrived Model II to have leather installed.

Cost $ 1395.

 

The only thing I wish I had from the package IV is the 3 door SKS. I was spoiled by my last prius

 

I went with the IV, but was offered leather in the III for $750 (leather over cloth) or $1600 (cloth stripped first). The leather over cloth was going to result in leather being visible on the backs of the rear seats, which I was concerned might be damaged when the rear seats are down for hauling more "stuff". Supposedly, leather on the back of the rear seats would not be the case for the $1600 option.

Both prices included any door and console changes... forgot to ask about steering wheel, but then I decided on the IV.

 

My husband wanted black leather instead of Dark Gray. We added Katzkin Tuscany Midnight leather with the heated seats option. Independent installer in MD charged $2000 total. The quality of the leather is much nicer than the Prius standard leather, and there are lots of available options (perforation, stitching, piping) that we didn't get. The door panels and console are included, and the color exactly matches the dark portions of the dash and the floormats (we have the light gray interior).

Hubby now says that we will only get aftermarket leather on future car purchases. I can post pictures if anybody is interested.

 

Please!

 

I'm going to answer the actual thread title.

Why get III over IV if you want leather?

1. You don't mind an aftermarket added leather to the seating surfaces. That's going to be where your dealer, if you leave it to them, determines the quality of the install and the price as well.
2. You don't mind NOT having the EC mirror,
3. You don't need the homelink
4. You don't mind a 1-door smart entry (versus a 3-dr).
5. You won't miss seat heaters.
6. You don't mind NOT having the power lumbar support.
7. You don't mind a steering wheel and console that's not leather trim/wrapped.
8. You don't mind dealing separately with a leather installer if you have leather problems later, versus dealing directly with Toyota.

I don't think I have forgotten anything? The difference between a III and IV is $2800 so that's what your $2800 buys.

Di

 

Does it include heated seats?