2012 GXL Prado Leather Upgrade
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 07:26
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Tim
I am currently looking at a new GXL prado which comes standard with cloth interior. I would like to upgrade the interior to leather seats. Has anyone had this done before? According to a few dealers, they each select a private company of their choice to do the upgrade and some dealers don't seem to be interested in doing despite the fact they have been told they will not get our business if they can't do it in leather. So has anyone done it before or had some experience in it? We can't upgrade to the VX or Altitude models as we need tHe manual transmission which are not available in those models.
Thanks Tim
I will put this same post on prado point too.
Reply By: olcoolone - Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 08:39
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 08:39
Aftermarket leather is an expensive upgrade an it depends on the leather grade you get...... expect $3500 -$6000 as a guess.
The biggest thing is trying to find a trimmer who will warrant and guarantee the air bag comparability and whether they need to be recompiled for ADR SRS systems.
The other problem is when it comes to resale value..... you might find it will decrease with leather.
Can I ask why you need a manual.
End of the day it may be a better option to go for a VX.
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Follow Up By: Tim - Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 18:55
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 18:55
The manual is just personnel preference, I don't like how the autos "slip". Like going up a steep incline you might have to get to 3000rpm before the car even moves. Anyway, just our preference, not a shot at auto drivers or anything like that.
I had also thought that atleast with the manual you always have the option of clutch starting however I am not so sure how that would work with a push button start?
Tim
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Reply By: madfisher - Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 13:54
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 13:54
Like most people I thought leather was the holy grail.
well after working at a major rental co for six years, I would pay not to have them. Cold as hell in minus temps, and will burn your legs if you have shorts on in summer. also cars with leather seem to get much hotter inside then material. cloth seats are easy to clean if you have the right stuff, or throw some
seat covers on. I actuallty still like velour the best, although its gone out of fashion.
Cheers Pete
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 17:18
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012 at 17:18
Funny I find it just the opposite. I bought a car 15 years ago with it as standard and we loved it and had it on every car since
Great to keep clean with
young kids too
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Follow Up By: madfisher - Friday, Jul 13, 2012 at 12:42
Friday, Jul 13, 2012 at 12:42
Mate I am in and out of up to 20 diff cars a day, hense my preference for cloth seats.
But its your money, good luck Pete
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Friday, Jul 13, 2012 at 17:03
Friday, Jul 13, 2012 at 17:03
Each to their own, the main thing is your happy with your choice
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 17:43
Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 17:43
I had leather in a Vienta Camry and while it looked schmick it was a lot of maintenance.
It needed regular cleaning and dressing with a proper kit that cost about $30, and in warmer climates that was frequent. Just like a horse's saddle!
And if your kid's 'friend' got in with a studded belt there'd be scratches all over and that needed a major effort to fix.
Never again.
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Follow Up By: PJR (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 18:40
Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 18:40
And I also believe that is why people cover leather steering wheels because they can be damned hot when parked in the sun and frozen in the mornings.
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 19:02
Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 19:02
You much be joking arnt you? A natural product is better than synthetic
Ever worn a leather coat?
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 19:08
Saturday, Jul 14, 2012 at 19:08
LOL. How quaint.
It's horses for courses.
Yes, in one application I wear a leather jacket; on the motorbike and it's good for repeated offs.
Is it light, cheap, breathable, easily maintained or comfortable? Not by a country mile.
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