Paying extra for interior quality materials...
05-01-13, 02:45 PM
#106
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I like the idea that it's an option. It's not as if the 300's interior is a horrible place without the extra leather surfaces.
I was considering the purchase of a 300C Luxury Series before I purchased my GS 350. The main difference between the 300C and the 300C Luxury Series is the interior material quality. Leather lines more of the interior, the seat's leather is of a higher quality, the interior wood trim is open pore, the floor mats are berber pile, the steering wheel rim is chrome lined, etc. I was prepared to pay the price difference.
Even on my Lexus GS 350, I purchased the Luxury Package rather than the F Sport Package due to an improved interior quality for roughly the same price as the "boy racer" appearance parts of the F Sport. Individuals on the 4GS forum have found it's much cheaper to add the F Sport exterior body parts than it is to add the Luxury Package interior trim pieces. Obviously, good interiors are not cheap to produce.
I was considering the purchase of a 300C Luxury Series before I purchased my GS 350. The main difference between the 300C and the 300C Luxury Series is the interior material quality. Leather lines more of the interior, the seat's leather is of a higher quality, the interior wood trim is open pore, the floor mats are berber pile, the steering wheel rim is chrome lined, etc. I was prepared to pay the price difference.
Even on my Lexus GS 350, I purchased the Luxury Package rather than the F Sport Package due to an improved interior quality for roughly the same price as the "boy racer" appearance parts of the F Sport. Individuals on the 4GS forum have found it's much cheaper to add the F Sport exterior body parts than it is to add the Luxury Package interior trim pieces. Obviously, good interiors are not cheap to produce.
05-02-13, 05:26 AM
#107
Lexus Champion
The Euro market is different from the US market on many levels, so I really don't think it's relevant to compare. IMO, there are certain "luxury" features that I don't think I should have to pay extra for in a lux car--leather is one of those features. Others may feel differently.
05-02-13, 05:31 AM
#108
Lexus Champion
Adding all the option packages is what transforms the car into a luxurious vehicle.
05-02-13, 06:37 AM
#109
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05-02-13, 06:39 AM
#110
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Seriously, the Chrysler 300 doesn't really belong in this discussion. The 300, in and of itself, is not a luxury car. Perhaps a loaded, top of the line 300 is a luxury car, but if you get a stripped down version, it's a full sized family car, nothing more.
Adding all the option packages is what transforms the car into a luxurious vehicle.
Adding all the option packages is what transforms the car into a luxurious vehicle.
05-02-13, 07:12 AM
#111
Out of Warranty
Cloth upholstery is very expensive too, primarily because it has to be rugged, durable, stain resistant, and comfortable. I had an upholstery shop re-upholster the V-berth on my boat with what appeared to be a brushed denim that was rugged while being extremely comfortable to sit or lie on. We found our perfect material in the back seat of a Camaro - a factory-spec '85 Chevrolet interior fabric. It was something like $40 per yard (even 25 years ago), but well worth the investment. I had it piped in red, and the appearance was fantastic!
Good automotive upholstery fabric is expensive - more so than what you'd purchase for a suit or your favorite chair - because it has to stand up to a lot of wear, spilled sippy cups, dogs determined to scratch a hole in it, and even passengers with screwdrivers in their hip pockets. (been there, done that). Leather isn't that much of a premium in material cost, but automakers get a great deal more profit from a leather interior.
Last edited by Lil4X; 05-02-13 at 07:15 AM.
05-02-13, 10:42 AM
#112
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Does anybody here like cloth over leather? I know that olden day luxury cars had massive cushy cloth seats. The trend seems to have favored leather in recent years. And would anyone pay extra to have cloth INSTEAD of leather?
I, personally, do not lie cloth seats. They are never "cool to the touch" and retain smells more than leather.
I know you can special order the IS in cloth. Not sure if anyone has one.
I, personally, do not lie cloth seats. They are never "cool to the touch" and retain smells more than leather.
I know you can special order the IS in cloth. Not sure if anyone has one.
05-02-13, 11:00 AM
#113
Lexus Fanatic
Cloth upholstery is very expensive too, primarily because it has to be rugged, durable, stain resistant, and comfortable.
Good automotive upholstery fabric is expensive - more so than what you'd purchase for a suit or your favorite chair - because it has to stand up to a lot of wear, spilled sippy cups, dogs determined to scratch a hole in it, and even passengers with screwdrivers in their hip pockets. (been there, done that).
Leather isn't that much of a premium in material cost, but automakers get a great deal more profit from a leather interior.
Good automotive upholstery fabric is expensive - more so than what you'd purchase for a suit or your favorite chair - because it has to stand up to a lot of wear, spilled sippy cups, dogs determined to scratch a hole in it, and even passengers with screwdrivers in their hip pockets. (been there, done that).
Leather isn't that much of a premium in material cost, but automakers get a great deal more profit from a leather interior.
I'll probably get even more barbs tossed at me for this
...but I actually liked the soft, crushed-velour bench seats found on many upmarket 60s/70s American cars. No, they admittedly didn't give you track-grade support, but (to borrow a phrase from Mike), Got-Daymn, were they nice to sit on....you rode all day long in plush comfort. Of course, with those cars' typical handling levels, you didn't need much side-support. 
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-02-13 at 11:05 AM.
05-02-13, 11:13 AM
#114
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- Cheap cloth
- Vinyl masquerading as leather
- Cheap leather
- Decent leather
05-02-13, 11:23 AM
#115
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No mention of velours? Purple velours is the shizzznit!
05-02-13, 12:29 PM
#116
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Another thing about cloth is that there are at least 2 types i have noticed.
On most american cars, the cloth is a material that is kinda gritty/hard, kinda like the inside of a tennis shoe. On some japanese cars like the corolla, the cloth is more like a fuzzy softer material. Like in that Regency picture. It feels like the softer part of velcro straps.
Anybody know what the two types are called? I prefer the japanese types.
On most american cars, the cloth is a material that is kinda gritty/hard, kinda like the inside of a tennis shoe. On some japanese cars like the corolla, the cloth is more like a fuzzy softer material. Like in that Regency picture. It feels like the softer part of velcro straps.
Anybody know what the two types are called? I prefer the japanese types.
05-02-13, 10:59 PM
#117
Out of Warranty
For years Ford sold its '80's and '90's Crown Vics to police agencies with "heavy duty" front seats that were not available except on police package vehicles. Once in a while we wangled one for a fleet car. Those seats should have been made standard on every vehicle they or anyone else manufactured. They were sprung much like the vehicle itself - that is it was anything but mushy, supportive without being hard, and the bench seats actually held you pretty well in place when maneuvering aggressively.
The reason was the grippy yellowish, beigey-brown seat fabric that at least one automotive writer called "unborn mouse-fur". It was ugly but wore like iron, was comfortable even on a muggy day (unlike velour that breathed like a dry-cleaner's bag), yet was compliant enough to feel softer to the touch than you might expect. If someone wants to make a fortune in automotive interiors, this stuff could replace the Alcantra inserts that are all the rage now. Gotta work on that color issue, tho' . . .
The reason was the grippy yellowish, beigey-brown seat fabric that at least one automotive writer called "unborn mouse-fur". It was ugly but wore like iron, was comfortable even on a muggy day (unlike velour that breathed like a dry-cleaner's bag), yet was compliant enough to feel softer to the touch than you might expect. If someone wants to make a fortune in automotive interiors, this stuff could replace the Alcantra inserts that are all the rage now. Gotta work on that color issue, tho' . . .
05-03-13, 12:03 PM
#118
Lexus Fanatic
If I remember the press materials correctly, Toyota charges extra for "premium" cloth... I think it is available on Tundra and Tacoma
05-04-13, 12:17 PM
#119
Lexus Champion
I had one as a rental once--I can tell you, that model was not. A 20 year old LS would have been more luxurious than that.
I'll admit that my rental was under the "old" Chrysler, but there's a huge range in the 300 product line.
I'll admit that my rental was under the "old" Chrysler, but there's a huge range in the 300 product line.
05-04-13, 01:22 PM
#120
My grandpa bought a new 98 Regency every 2 years - I grew up on those button tufted velour cushions 
I personally love a quality cloth interior. My Prizm is the LSi model, so tach, alloys, cruise, etc. but the main upgrade is the seats and door panel inserts are a MUCH finer quality cloth than the base/rental versions. I have no idea if it actually cost them more in raw material, but it feels 10 times nicer than the base crap that was closer to burlap.
In the early 90s you could get an LS with cloth, and I actually found one for sale a few years back. It was very nice cloth, and I would have bought it but the car had other issues and the guy's price was too high.
I would love my current GS with a decent cloth interior, but not sure they could do it and keep the ventilated seats....
I personally love a quality cloth interior. My Prizm is the LSi model, so tach, alloys, cruise, etc. but the main upgrade is the seats and door panel inserts are a MUCH finer quality cloth than the base/rental versions. I have no idea if it actually cost them more in raw material, but it feels 10 times nicer than the base crap that was closer to burlap.
In the early 90s you could get an LS with cloth, and I actually found one for sale a few years back. It was very nice cloth, and I would have bought it but the car had other issues and the guy's price was too high.
I would love my current GS with a decent cloth interior, but not sure they could do it and keep the ventilated seats....