Leather seats in a FAMILY sedan?

[coolred]

I got to wondering the other day about this. I have never owned a car with leather, but have riden in a few. I was just wondering what the pros and cons of it are. I know it feels nice. One good thing is it's easier to clean spills and what not. But is it still a good idea when there will be kids in the car often?

 

[SoylentGreen]

Feels cold in winter and hot in summer. No thanks.

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: Kiyup
Feels cold in winter and hot in summer. No thanks.

i have 'em in my grand marquis. they aren't particularly cold or hot.

 

[vi edit]

Pro's - easier to clean, doesn't stain, and easier to repair punctures/tears, wears better if taken care of
Con's - more expensive, cuts/punctures more visible, cheap leather can be uncomfortable to some

My opinion - after having leather I could never go back to cloth. The smell, the feel, and the durability of it is great. I've got black leather and even with 100 degree weather I don't have much of a problem with it for heat. As for it being cold, with heated seats that ain't a problem.

 

[AU Tiger]

Originally posted by: Kiyup
Feels cold in winter and hot in summer. No thanks.

Are you sure you aren't confused with vinyl seats? Both my cars have leather and I have never had problems with hot or cold.

 

[LeeTJ]

personally i prefer cloth but when you have kids leather is mandatory. clothe is very hard to keep clean with kids.

 

[vi edit]

Another nice thing with leather, not necessarily a big thing for kids though, is that you don't build up as much of a static charge and zap yourself when you climb out of the car in the winter

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Pro's - easier to clean, doesn't stain, and easier to repair punctures/tears, wears better if taken care of
Con's - more expensive, cuts/punctures more visible, cheap leather can be uncomfortable to some

My opinion - after having leather I could never go back. The smell, the feel, and the durability of it is great. I've got black leather and even with 100 degree weather I don't have much of a problem with it for heat. As for it being cold, with heated seats that ain't a problem.

I have black leather in my family sedan, and trust me, I'd take it over cloth any day. I have a 5 year old son and frequently have him & his friends in the car. They make big messes, but the leather lets me wipe it off. Cloth seats would have been destroyed long ago.

 

[BigSmooth]

Depends somewhat on the quality of the leather but assuming you're not dealing with absolutely nutty kids, I would think it would be fine.

 

[coolred]

Yeah I figured it seemed better to clean up the messes, but something in my head was saying "leather and kids don't mix", just have to make sure they don't put any holes in it, and like I think vi said, it is easier to repair holes in leather

 

[vi edit]

The thing you have to make sure you do with leather is TAKE CARE OF IT. I lexol my leather interior once a month if I can to clean and condition it. You have to do this or else you get nasty, cracked and split leather.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
The thing you have to make sure you do with leather is TAKE CARE OF IT. I lexol my leather interior once a month if I can to clean and condition it. You have to do this or else you get nasty, cracked and split leather.

yep badly taken care of leather goes to sh*t in a hurry!

You could always just scotch guard the crap out of the cloth and even put plastic over it, kinda like how poor people do on their furniture (I'm such a prick) :Q

 

[craziecomrade]

I prefer cloth. The whole hot in summer and cold in winter thing bugs. But it depends on what type of leather you have. Cuz the leather in my 525 is nice and usually feels comfortable, but the leather in my acura is too smooth.

 

[craziecomrade]

high quality leather doesn't haven't to be taken care of too much.

 

[Ranger X]

It looks classy. Personally, I prefer automobiles with leather interior since I've gotten used to the coldness of the leather during the winter.

 

[toant103]

Originally posted by: LeeTJ
personally i prefer cloth but when you have kids leather is mandatory. clothe is very hard to keep clean with kids.

better resale value too

 

[RossMAN]

I prefer cloth unless it's a luxury vehicle where cloth would look seriously out of place.

 

[Lonyo]

I'm 16, my Dad's last 2 cars have had leather, my mums has been cloth, when I get a car, there's NO WAY I'm going cloth, leather is a necessity, not an option for me.

 

[BDawg]

Like my wife told my parents and her parents when we got two cars with leather seats,

Baby vomit cleans off of leather far easier.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
It looks classy. Personally, I prefer automobiles with leather interior since I've gotten used to the coldness of the leather during the winter.

Heated seats are your friend during the winter.

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
It looks classy. Personally, I prefer automobiles with leather interior since I've gotten used to the coldness of the leather during the winter.

i never cared too much about the looks, but it IS more comfortable, although cloth is ok.

 

[Ranger X]

Yes, heated seats are nice.

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: Kiyup
Feels cold in winter and hot in summer. No thanks.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: coolred
I got to wondering the other day about this. I have never owned a car with leather, but have riden in a few. I was just wondering what the pros and cons of it are. I know it feels nice. One good thing is it's easier to clean spills and what not. But is it still a good idea when there will be kids in the car often?

Yes, and you already answered your question. Those same spills and what not will not come out of fabric. Good leather is great with kids. I will never go back as long as I have kids.

 

[RossMAN]

How long do heated leather seats usually take to warm up?