[SonOfMI]

I am considering a couple of cars, a 2012 Camry SE V6 and a 2012 Nissan Maxima S. Both are nice cars, the Camry has more value with the fog lights, navigation, iPhone integration, USB port, fuel economy, and cheaper insurance. The Maxima is more powerful and a bit more fun to drive. I think the Camry interior is nicer, especially with the leather seats. It looks really sharp. The dilemma I have is we have a 55 pound black lab that goes everywhere with us. I'm concerned his nails would dig into, scratch, and harm the leather. The dealers I've talked with (4 so far) will give me a better price on a car that's on their lot as opposed to ordering one from the distributor and all of the SE V6's on their lots have the leather interior. Is my concern valid? How well do the leather seats in the Camry SE V6 hold up to dog nails? Do any of you have experience dealing with this? Would putting a throw blanket on the back seat where the dog would be prevent damage to the leather? Thanks in advance.

 

[tre36]

I think anything your dog can do to your car, it can do to any other car with leather seats. The Camry leather seats are sharp although I originally did not want it in mine but it's growing on me. Keep note that the center of the leather seats are made of ultrasuede and attracts dog hair like magnets too. I would throw a blanket on the seats if I had my dog in the car...but so far the dog is not allowed in the car.

 

[SonOfMI]

Thank you for your thoughts. To be clear, the Maxima S does not have leather. It is not even an option.

 

[te1221]

I would put a blanket in the back regardless of the car you end up with. I toyed with the idea of a Maxima, but the price difference was significant to sway me away,

 

[likeav6]

I wouldn't worry about the dog nails so much as the hair. My mom had a sonata with leather and shuttled our 100 pound sheppard-lab mix around in it and the seats were fine. As someone mentioned above, if you put a towel or blanket down on the back seat you should be fine, but those ultra-suede inserts will suck up every bit of dog hair floating around in the cabin or on your clothes. You would be fortunate that your dog has black hair, as mine has white, which makes for a lot of detailing to the interior.

 

[Chris311]

Buy something like this http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/deluxe-back-seat-car-cover.html

I have three dogs and my dog seat cover has held up very well. Mine is made out of thick nylon with a soft rubber feel to it. It feels like a thick tarp.

I forgot where I bought mine, but I paid around $35 for it, so you may want to look around for a better price than the one in the link above.


There are also ones to prevent hair/dirt from falling on the floor. http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dg-dlx-pet-travel-hammock.html