Leather - Aftermarket - 2008

[agcentral]

Am close to pulling the trigger on a 2008.

Questions (PLLLLLEASE):
1.) Am I making a reasonably good decision to go CRV?
2.) I just can't see spending $5K more to go leather. But I want it. My mother had leather installed AFTERMARKET 15 years ago in her Camry. Is this a viable option? If so... where do I go (live in... ho-hum... Houston).

helllllllllppppp

[Will 14]

Hi agcentral!

First of all, welcome to the forum! I'm quite new here myself, but there are a lot of great people here with great insights and opinions on the CR-V!

My answers to your questions:

1) As this is a CR-V owner's club forum, most everyone will tell you that you are making a good decision to purchase a CR-V, me included. After renting a CR-V in Hawaii last year, I put it on the top of my list for my next car and now that I've bought one, I absolutely love it! There are a lot of interesting threads here to read which may help you make up your mind on getting the V.
2)For your $5K on the 2008 V (EX-L), I believe you get a number of added bonuses to go with the leather interior: an upgraded stereo with subwoofer, power driver's seat, climate control, and seat heaters. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will correct me if I'm wrong. I got the 2007 EX-L and wish I had the power seat and climate control on mine!

[Black Pearl]

I may be wrong but I remember leather being 2 K more than the EX unless you got Nav which was 4K more. Hate leather myself so it was a no brainer for me.

[07CRVOWNR]

I have an EX-L. I got the CRV with leather for the extra options that come with it. I also like leather since I find it much easier to keep clean over cloth since I have a dog and children. The dog hair is easier to vacuum and it doesn't get stuck in the cloth. I have purchased leather cleaner and conditioning wipes so it is easy to just wipe it down and doesn't take much energy to keep them looking good. To me, it is worth the extra cost in purchasing the leather in time saved keeping the interior of the car clean and not to mention any stains that always get on cloth seats.

[Greenzter]

:confused: $5K more to go leather?? Are comparing a LX to an EX-L?

[WanderingBrit]

Try searching for Katzkin leather, you'll find online stores that sell them as a complete set for around $750. I used them on a Miata and was pleased with the quality.

Unless you are quite adept physically you probably want to consider letting an auto upholstery shop install them for you. The existing fabric is (typically) held in place by "hog rings" which must be cut off, and stretching the new covers on can be quite demanding. I found that nylon cable ties were much more convenient than hog rings for installation of the new covers as you could cinch them down while adjusting the fit.

Kevin

[exbauer]

I would recommend Classic Soft Trim (www.classicsofttrim.com) over Katzkin. I feel their leather is better quality and do a lot of aftermarket installs for the dealers in Houston. Here is the their info for their Houston location.

CST Installation Center
2300 Fairway Park Drive, Suite 85
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 688-5444

With aftermarket leather you can have options of perforated, piping, different color, suede, etc.

[2RedV's]

Make absolutely certain that the after-market leather kit does not cover the side airbags.

[WanderingBrit]

Make absolutely certain that the after-market leather kit does not cover the side airbags.

Actually it's more accurate to say that it is important that after market leather is designed with side airbags in mind. The side air bags are covered by after market leather upholstery in exactly the same way that Honda leather upholstery covers them; but in both cases provision is made for the seams to part if the air bag deploys.

Kevin

[2RedV's]

Actually it's more accurate to say that it is important that after market leather is designed with side airbags in mind. The side air bags are covered by after market leather upholstery in exactly the same way that Honda leather upholstery covers them; but in both cases provision is made for the seams to part if the air bag deploys.

KevinThanks for the clarification.
I had been consuming some adult beverages last night... :o