Leather interior option

I'm happy with my after-market leather.

Package 8 wasn't available in the Southeast Region when I bought so I had leather installed at the Port for around $1,200. My dealer added side and center leather armrests (actually vinyl) and the SE Region threw in the leather steering wheel, both at no extra charge, so I had the equivalent of a full package 8.

Am I satisfied; yes. My dealer also has an contract upholsterer working on site who's work is just as good as the Port installation. My sugestions:

1. $1,600 is at the top end of what's being paid; $1,000 is more typical for dealer installed after market leather
2. If you're brave there are DIY and local shop prices in the $500/$800 price range
3. Watch your colors and stay close to the factory selections, otherwise your trade value will suffer
4. It's worth a few extra dollars for the guaranty coverage to buy your leather as a dealer installed accessory
5. Don't forget to cover the center and side armrests and the rear seat triangle shaped strip between the rear doors and the upper seat cushion

Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godfrey DiGiorgi @ Aug 6 2006, 02:30 AM) [snapback]298563[/snapback]</div>

I just picked up my car yesterday. I had the dealer install leather as well. Cost varies between dealers. I have been quoted anything from $1000 to $1500. The shop that did the work for the dealer I bought from did excellent work. It also came along with a 3 year guarantee same as the factory installed.

I did exactly as you did. I bought package #6 then added leather, as I did not want to spend another $2000 on the navigation system. It worked out fine.

I'd also recommend getting the full Clear Bra package. Usually includes: 18" on hood, front bumper, headlights, 18" on front side panels, forward side of mirrors, and top of rear bumper. Mine was $525 from the dealer. There is a discussion topic on the costs in this forum.

Enjoy,

Joel

 

The dealers usually get the leather "covers" from places such as:
http://www.autoleathers.com/HTML2/AL.MAIN.FS.html
http://www.leatherseats.com/
and not leather, but
http://wetokole.com/

Check in your city for auto upholsterers. Often you can save a lot of money by cutting out the dealer's exhobident profit. They will usually not do this themselves, but send your car to these folks (recommended - it takes little skill to replace the seat covers, it takes a lot of skill and knowledge to do it without wrinkles and have it last).

There, now you have options!

Missed one place that does "other" leather parts for the car:
http://www.redlinegoods.com/shiftboot.htm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godfrey DiGiorgi @ Aug 6 2006, 03:30 AM) [snapback]298563[/snapback]</div>

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We bought a #7 Prius 6/9/06. Dealer (Walnut Creek CA) said he could have "leather" installed & the new price would be MSRP for a #8. That meant that he would add $1160 to the cost of a #7. They didn't offer to do the steering wheel.

The upholstery shop did a nice job. Covered everything that we could see.

HOWEVER, I have since discovered that they did the entire job in NAUGAHYDE! A person can reach under the back of the drivers seat & feel the cloth backing on the seat material! I am pretty sure that all of the cows I have seen DON'T have cloth backing under their hides! I am seriously toying with the thought of raising hell over this.

You will be VERY HAPPY with a Prius! We are estactic over ours!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vincent @ Aug 6 2006, 06:34 AM) [snapback]298574[/snapback]</div>

My dealer added the leather to my package 4 - including the console and doors for 1100 and they did a great job. Apparantly you are right not to trust this guy - he wants to make a commission on the leather because they really don't make much on the car. Also, if you want an extended warranty shop on the "net". I bought one thru the dealer before checking on their program. (Bad feedback) I had to cancel it and buy a better policy.

 

zzz

 

I added leather my 2006 pkg. 5. I went to an aftermarket installer that does 95% car dealer work.

I paid $1100 which was better than the $3500 extra I would have paid for pkg. 8 which includes the leather. As mentioned by others, the center console and arm rests are all covered in matching leather as well. When going to the aftermarket dealer, you can specifiy exactly which color you want as well as texture.

Try and do that with factory-installed leather!