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Prius III but with Leather upgrade...mistake?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by NCKevin, Jul 12, 2009.

  1. NCKevin

    NCKevin New Member

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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Model:
    III
    So, because I'm impatient and didn't want to wait for what I really wanted (IV with Nav), I have put down a deposit on a car coming into the dealer soon.

    The one I'm getting is a III with Nav with a leather seat upgrade. Has anyone done this before? Because it's only the seats upgrade, does it look okay with the steering wheel and trim NOT matching because they aren't leather?

    The color is the misty grey, which is not what I would have ordered. I'm pretty easy going about this stuff usually, but spending this much, I hope I don't regret waiting.

    Any thoughts on mismatching the leather upgrade without it all being leather? Thx!
     
  2. accordingly

    accordingly Member

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    Model:
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    Nobody on earth except a few of us nerds on this forum are going to notice. The colors are exactly the same, and even in a lot of pictures it's hard to tell what surfaces are leather and what are cloth, including the seats.

    What's more important is you'll notice all the money you saved. Put some of that money into getting 17" wheels and tires (maybe add heaters in the seats if you have cold mornings) and everyone who bought a IV will be jealous and everyone who bought a V will feel robbed.
     
  3. Vincent

    Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
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    I had port installed leather on my 06 Gen II for 3 1/2 years with no problems. I had the dealer install matching center and side vinyl arm rest covers with no problems there either.
     
  4. nola_Prius

    nola_Prius New Member

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    I do know that the port-installed leather does not include the door panels. Those will remain fabric. I got to see them both next to each other, and I can't say that either one really stood out as being superior to the other.
     
  5. hptsang

    hptsang Member

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    Model:
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    OH, I was thinking to get the leather upgrade if I get the Prius III since I thought even the door panel will be leather too. If that is the case, then I might change my mind and get the IV instead of the III.
     
  6. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I seriously doubt that
     
  7. NCKevin

    NCKevin New Member

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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Model:
    III
    Actually, the difference wasn't that huge from a III with leather to the IV. They charged $1349 for the leather faced seats. Now I'm wondering if that isn't way too much.

    With the Toyoguard, mats, rear bumper protector, special color (blizz pearl) and the Nav package, my options ran $4475. So...total was still $28,749. I thought this was a lot for the III, but what can you do when these things aren't even on the lots? (They did have about 12 of them, none with leather.)
     
  8. antoine

    antoine New Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    II
    I bought a Prius II which, of course, has no leather. I had after market
    leather installed with heated front seats for $1,600. Door panels and
    arm rest also leather covered. Beautiful job. These leather kits
    are really perfect.
     
  9. pdxrose

    pdxrose New Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    III
    I am picking up a Blue III (with DARK gray interior which was a hunt) next weekend and will wait a bit to decide on the leather upgrade. I probably will skip it since I am getting a Resist All protection package that includes new seat replacement option if stains don't come out. I know a lot of people think they are a waste of $ but I had it on last two cars and never had to wax them for 4+ years (even living in Boise). The $599, which includes undercoating, is worth it to me...as long as its a national guaranty (not just the local dealer). Back to your leather questions - a couple of the local dealers said that when their outside vendor does it, ALL cloth parts are changed including the area on the door above the armrest. You don't have to use the dealer you are buying the car from...almost any dealer will tell you who they use (hoping for your service bus), so then call them direct and compare! I have been quoted $1,000 to $1,400 up here for leather depending on heated or not.
     
  10. dvdirv

    dvdirv Member

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    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Count me in as well. I, too bought a Prius III and did the aftermarket leather.

    Cost was $1200 (no heated seats) and it looks just like factory leather. Not only do the seats get matched, but so does the center console arm rest and door panels.

    Sorry, but $2600 for package IV was too much especially if I was primarily interested in the leather.
     
  11. pdxrose

    pdxrose New Member

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    Model:
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    Did your after market job use all leather or leather "match" in the areas on side etc.? I have priced the job at a couple of places and both have said don't bother using leather "everywhere" even if I do one grade better. Thus, sides and part of back would be match but console, doors, etc. would be leather? Thanks!
     
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    V
    A forum member criticized Toyota for not doing the Prius IV and V leather "everywhere," despite the fact it's not a Lexus and it doesn't distract from the feel and enjoyment of having a leather interior. So it really boils down to costs and your expectation. Are you trying to keep costs low or are you expecting better than factory quality?

    The cheapest aftermarket leather will look worse than factory, as it won't have the perforated centers nor the door panel inserts and/or console done in leather. The best aftermarket leather "everywhere" may rival even those found in Lexus and will be pricey.
     
  13. tony2654

    tony2654 New Member

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    Hei:

    I live in Europe and I have a Prius III with leather option on order. Since the dealer didn't provide too much information, I wonder if someone knows whether factory leather will also include door panels? And what about the center console?

    Thanks a lot!
     
  14. mel1000

    mel1000 New Member

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    Location:
    raleigh NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I am getting a Prius III with leather upgraded seats.(I wanted a IV but so hard to get!) Do you know if the leather upgrade includes heated seats? or did you have to ask for the heated seat as an extra cost? Where or who did your leather with the heated seat? Thanks for your help!:)
     
  15. pdxrose

    pdxrose New Member

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    Not a mistake and will cost less and possibly result in better quality leather. The cost should be about $300 to $400 higher for a heated driver seat - not worth it to me where I live. I did specify that in addition to the seats (front and back), the console, wheel, and the doors, had to be leather but other non-used areas will be leather match. I called a couple of dealers (toyota and others since the after market mostly buy seat covers made our of their shop) and asked who they used, not saying I was or would be buying a new car. They told me and I reached out directly. So when I have it done, direct will save me about $400, give me complete control, and have less hands touching it :D In PDX, for non-heated, one place wanted $2,000 and the other about $1,350. I am going with the lower as both have a better grade of leather than comes factory and I don't need to know that the higher priced shop made them on site. Good luck!
     
  16. jdel

    jdel New Member

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    Don't forget that the $2600 upgrade includes power lumbar (a huge improvment IMO), 3 door SKS, auto dimming rear view mirror, seat heaters, leather wrapped steering wheel. If you add these to your $1200 leather, you will be much closer to $2600.

    John
    John
     
  17. grahamy

    grahamy New Member

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    Location:
    Raleigh,nc
    Model:
    III
    I had after-market leather installed on a III. Dealer's price: $1399. However, from what I've seen I believe it's better than the factory version. Center armrest, sides, etc, all match. Only the steering wheel is plastic. I believe it's not economic for the after-market folks to include the steering wheel which is labor intensive.
    On another thread on this group I came across "wheelskins". If you can afford an hour or two of your own time, I believe it's worth going the extra step, buying the wheelskin kit and fitting the steering wheel with leather too, The result will be a better leather job overall than you get with a Prius IV.
     
  18. Bluebonnet2

    Bluebonnet2 New Member

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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I have a the 2010 Prius IV with leather and the door panels are NOT leather. They appear to be some strange almost foam rubber looking material that I fear will not last very well. I was very surprised when I found this after I got home. The automatic lumbar support is well worth the price when you are short and need comfortable seats. I love the leather seats (misty gray) and they are as comfortable as the ones in my former 4Runner.
     
  19. Snowbell

    Snowbell That's the cat! Snow...

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    Location:
    Putnam County, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Hi-
    I ordered the Prius IV not just for the leather, but also for the lumbar support and the heated side mirrors (both of which are big items on my 'must have' list.) My dealer had also suggested a leather upgrade to a Prius III. I've seen some aftermarket car upholstry upgrades, having had a suede/leather seat redone for an old 280ZX that I used to own. I couldn't have been more pleased with the result!
    So, in answer to your question, NO, you didn't make a mistake. If you like everything else about the car, you'll love the new leather, too. Best of luck.
    Jennifer ;0)
     
  20. mplsman

    mplsman New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    One of our local dealers does leather interior upgrades that look great. They charge $1800 for leather and heated seats in a camry. I'm thinking of having them do my III. They also did the door panels.