To Get Leather or To Not to Get Leather....that is the question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

black_cam2007 · 07-24-2006, 03:44 PM

Okay guys,

I just went to the dealership Saturday to get my first up close and personal look at the new Cam. I was very disappointed at the quality of leather that was in the car. Is it just me or does it look cheap? I really dont want to waste $1400 for leather upgrade if its going to start cracking on me in this Houston, Texas heat in 2 years. Any opinions on the matter? Maybe previous Generations can give me some insight on there leather interior compared to this years Generation...

DoubleEdgedWomb · 07-24-2006, 03:50 PM

I'd never get leather in any car, given a choice. Never lasts as long as cloth in any conditions.

98CamryLE · 07-24-2006, 04:05 PM

I'd say get the leather only if you plan on having lots of 'accidents' in the car... (like spills). Leather seems to be good if you have kids who seem to have a problem spilling things on the seats...

Ever try to get a fruit punch stain out of a fabric seat? Yikes... but leather will be friendlier and won't stain as easily.

That said, leather cracks and doesn't really look good after a few years... it can crack, fade, and so on... (if you don't take care of it regularly) plus, if you have a kid or dog that might poke a hole in the leather, that's not so good either.

Streaker · 07-24-2006, 04:19 PM

Except for the XLE the cloth interiors in the '07 Camry suck. Rub your hand across them and you'll see what I mean. With my calluses and jagged fingernails I felt like I was in bondage. The leather is more a vinyi type leather and should last a long time. I know I'm gonna get flack from some people who have the cloth but so be it.

ryannel2003 · 07-24-2006, 04:38 PM

I have leather in my '00 Camry and I like it alot. Much easier to keep clean than cloth mainly because I have alot of people getting in and out of my car. However, after 6 years the leather is starting to crack and I hate it. I need to get some kind of cleaner because I don't want it to look bad once I go into college.

Streaker · 07-24-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

I have leather in my '00 Camry and I like it alot. Much easier to keep clean than cloth mainly because I have alot of people getting in and out of my car. However, after 6 years the leather is starting to crack and I hate it. I need to get some kind of cleaner because I don't want it to look bad once I go into college.

You should have used a leather conditioner and it would have remained supple and soft and not cracked.

rsjyss · 07-24-2006, 04:54 PM

I'm not 100% happy with my leather but I can live with it. The SE has the perforations, but the leather itself is more of a dry type vs. a soft supple type like you would find in a Lexus or a Caddy etc.. I must have put at least 4 applications of Zymol on it and it is what it is. I'm sure it won't crack, (if taking cared for) but if you are looking for the soft supple leather it definitely is not in my SE or SE's I've seen at the dealer.

Also, my car was built in early May, so honestly, I think they rushed the stitching as there's more wrinkles than I would have wanted. I looked at a few leather SE's at my dealer on the weekend and the seams and stitching looks much better.

Would I opted for leather again... sure as that's my preference.

07-24-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsjyss

I'm not 100% happy with my leather but I can live with it. The SE has the perforations, but the leather itself is more of a dry type vs. a soft supple type like you would find in a Lexus or a Caddy etc.. I must have put at least 4 applications of Zymol on it and it is what it is. I'm sure it won't crack, (if taking cared for) but if you are looking for the soft supple leather it definitely is not in my SE or SE's I've seen at the dealer.

Also, my car was built in early May, so honestly, I think they rushed the stitching as there's more wrinkles than I would have wanted. I looked at a few leather SE's at my dealer on the weekend and the seams and stitching looks much better.

Would I opted for leather again... sure as that's my preference.

I 100% wholeheartedly agree with you.

Epsilon · 07-24-2006, 05:02 PM

Usually I don't like leather, but the Camry's leather are nice compared to other types.

Joe B · 07-24-2006, 05:05 PM

I'm pretty happy with look of the gray leather in my XLE.
Funny thing is the leather option is seating area only,not the sides or back of the seats,which makes it even more of a ripoff.

ryannel2003 · 07-24-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streaker

You should have used a leather conditioner and it would have remained supple and soft and not cracked.

Yeah I do need to get some. My grandmother never really thought about those kinds of things; but the leather has just gotten worse recently. Can you recommend any particular brand of conditioner to use?

RockXP · 07-24-2006, 05:35 PM

This is my first car with leather so Im kinda enjoying it, until you hear me bitch..hehe. I have yet to do any maintainance on the leather but that time is coming up soon. My next car I would not get leather. Go for the dark charchol fabic, it seems very sturdy.

Streaker · 07-24-2006, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

Yeah I do need to get some. My grandmother never really thought about those kinds of things; but the leather has just gotten worse recently. Can you recommend any particular brand of conditioner to use?

Lexol leather cleaner and Lexol leather conditioner. I've been using the conditioner for years on jackets, furniture and car seats. also you'll love the smell. Just follow the directions!