I'm trying to decide whether to buy an Enthusiast or a fully loaded Touring Z including NAV. One of the items that I’m comparing is the cloth vs. leather seats.

Have you, as an owner of a ’03 or ’04 had or are having any issues with the seats. I’m particularly interested in info on the cloth seats.


…thanks

 

The biggest problem I have with the cloth seat is getting out of it when I get to work. But seriously, I have had my car for 2 weeks with no problems. Once you start driving you dont care if it is cloth or leather, at least I dont. I also live in SC where it gets hot and I would rather not stick to the seats. It's all really personal preference. I guess it really depends on how much you want NAV. Can you even get NAV with cloth seats? I'm thinking no, but I very well could be wrong.

 

I have a little over 9K miles on my Track model. I believe the cloth seats are showing a little too much wear for the relatively low mileage on my vehicle. My daily commute is 25 miles, one way, so the wear cannot be attributed to entering and exiting the vehicle excessively.

 

You can always add leather later. I did after 6 months for $800 +tax. The cloth seats are good ones however.

 

I wonder if I can just get the dealer to install the leather seats into the Enthusiast?

whattya think?

 

Not true, I have a performance model with cloth, which is fine for me, and I have the NAV.

Also, if you get cloth and decide you really did want leather you can always go for aftermarket leather. There are a few threads in the vendor section about it.

 

my cloth seats in my 03 Track model were showing a lot of wear on the side bolster after just a few months...

At about 6000 miles I had Leather Trim Limited in Arlington, Texas install leather and ultrasuede covers over the factory seats. I paid $620 for everything, installed at Leather Trim. I bought them from David with 350ZForums when he was running a group buy on this forum.

A dealer will put in leather covers for you, but will likely charge you $1k or more.... at least that's the going rate here in Hosuton.

I have a few pics on my feeble little web page... www.peterhaas.net

Hope that helps...

PeteH

 

2003 Enthusiast here. After about 5000-6000 miles, my drivers seat starting fraying on the bottom cover. Dealer replaced the cover under warranty, I think there is a TSB on this also. The dealer said it's the same material though, so I will be keeping an eye on it. If it wears out again, I am going to be pissed.

 

I'm crazy in that I actually prefer cloth. But I think the Zs cloth is flimsy. I've pulled out a couple threads just from brushing off those little bits of junk that always end up on seats.

 

I'm having similar problems with the seat at 8,000 miles. If there's a TSB I would appreciate a number if anyone has it.

 

2,793 miles after almost 4 months.... no problems.

However, after reading some posts here & on different treads I am concerned about the future. Can you guys please state WHERE on the seat the fraying starts? I'm wonder if it starts at the same spot for everyone, or frays at different areas.

 

If you are thinking of getting a touring model, I would be more worried about the Bose stereo than getting clothe seats. Try doing a search on it and then tell me which one you should worry about more.

Even if you find you dont like the clothe seats later, it is a cheap upgrade. The stereo on the other hand is not.

IMO the touring model is the least attractive considering the cost for a stereo many dislike and some are actually pulling it out and going with an after market stereo after paying good money for the Bose.

 

Noticed a bit of fraying where my right back pocket would go, and I dont even keep anything in that pocket.

 

I plan to swap out my seats with race seats...sparco's or recaro's, so i'm getting cloth. Thats what i would do if i were u guys....

 

i love my cloth seats on my track. the only thing i would swap them for are sparcos, recaros, or brides.

 

I went with Touring because i wanted Xenon headlamps, Leather interior (will never have cloth period), heated seats and the Bose-which sounds awesome!!!

 

Yeah, right where your rear pants pocket would be is where it started fraying. If I could have budgeted it, I would have gotten my Daytona Blue in a touring model with the Frost Leather Interior! IMO, that is a kickarse combo!

 

I absolutly love my carbon cloth seats. If I had leather seats, I would be more likly to get non leather racing seats then I am now. (Actually I am not planning to, since I have the cloth, to many other mods I want!)

Oh and, NO problems with them at all.

 

Meh, I love how my Carbon Cloth looks... To each his/her own.