PHIL MEMPHIS

Thinking of replacing seat leather on my 2001 Coupe. Should I go with vinyl or leather? My Vette is low mileage and I just drive it for pleasure drives.

Which is more durable? Is the price of leather really worth it? The factory seats are vinyl and leather.

Looking for someone with experience for both.

Corvette_Ed

I went with synthetic leather for my new skins. So far nobody has been able to tell that it's not real leather either by look or feel. I use Zaino's Leather In a Bottle so they even smell like real leather.

PHIL MEMPHIS

Those seat skins look great. I'm thinking vinyl will stay new looking longer than leather.

Corvette_Ed

Thank you.

The synthetic leather is also much less expensive than real leather.

Hombre

There are today some very good vinyls's and synthetic leathers out there. Only you can make the choice. However there is no "Real" substitute for leather. It's one of those case's where you can put just as much lipstick on a pig as you want to-in the end it's still a pig.

Roland

Vetteman Jack

I went with real leather when I redid my seats. Got the covers from Vette Essentials. Yes they are expensive, but real high quality leather is hard to beat.

Much of what you decide to go with will really depend on what your budget is for the covers. Vinyl and synthetic leather will be much cheaper than a top leather product. How well they hold up will depend on how well you maintain the seats.

PHIL MEMPHIS

They will be well maintained. My factory seats still look great, I'm just ready to change it up.

PHIL MEMPHIS

I know some of you have nice synthetic leather interiors. Would like to see some pictures of them please.

Evil-Twin

Real leather requires a lot of care... those who know real leather will appreciate it because of its expense, smell and feel.. unfortunately, the cost of real leather is high and the leather itself will crack over time.. those who defend leather will say the cracks are called " Character " .. real leather when new and subtle is wonderful, but its life in that state is short lived. IN a Corvette, good quality vinyl will be a better choice, last longer in its new state, and be very cost effective..

PHIL MEMPHIS

That is what I am thinking. I have leather in my other cars and just doesn't seem to hold up.

Bud Doggin

Those are nice.. Where did you get them?

YELLO1

Hey Phil, I think something to take in consideration is that there is a BIG difference in the leather that GM uses compared to what Sandy uses at Vette Essentials!! The weight alone was noticeable when I compared my old seat covers with my new Vette Essential covers. The quality is second to none!!
Good luck with your decision!!
Hope all is well my friend!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Opti

I was gonna go with leather from a popular source on here but I sent emails to a few different vendors about matching firethorn red and after only hearing back from one I went with him.

He did vinyl. He was pretty good on communication, and great on quality. Ive received many compliments on them.

AUandAG

Pic of my replacement skins can be seen on this thread:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1585155320

PHIL MEMPHIS

I just read an article in Road and Track magazine talking about Alcantra. I always thought it was and expensive leather reserved for high in cars. Turns out it is a synthetic man made fabric. Lighter, stronger, and more fade resistant than suede leather.

Leaning more and more toward synthetic covers.

6speedsteve

Whom did you get your seat covers from, was also thinking of vinyl as well, those look fantastic.

The only way I would do leather is Nappa Leather and runs about $2000 for both seats

6speedsteve

The color on those seats actually looks better than the original Firethorn Leather, very nice.

Crosis

And you wouldn't tell anyone where you got them in that thread either. Spill the beans man. These are too nice to not share.

AUandAG

I'm pretty sure everyone who asked got a PM because I don't think I can say "AutoCustomLeathers" since they're not a forum sponsor.

Mickeyrx70