Seat Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 239
Likes: 53
From: Oklahoma City
Seat Question
I have heard a lot about the comfort level with a seat change a few years in to the C6's, then again in 2012? All I really hear is that the "support" is better in the newer models. Can someone give me a little more detail? I had a deal made last week on a 2013 base 2LT, but the blizzard kept me home, and it sold. No big deal. It was a third or fourth choice on a color combo (Black/Black) and a few people here essentially talked me into getting exactly what I want from that perspective.
Are the seats fundamentally different in a GS vs a base model?
I am not willing to settle for an 1LT. I want the heated seats, because I have had a back injury and the heated seats help on the long trips during the winter, but it's not a deal breaker. That requires the 3LT, I believe, but I really want comfort and support.
Another point I want to question. I notice a lot of "broken down seats" on the door side/driver side when looking at pics. To me, that is an issue. Maybe it's just because a guy with a large butt filled up the seat a little more than most, but it's prevalent.
Are the seats fundamentally different in a GS vs a base model?
I am not willing to settle for an 1LT. I want the heated seats, because I have had a back injury and the heated seats help on the long trips during the winter, but it's not a deal breaker. That requires the 3LT, I believe, but I really want comfort and support.
Another point I want to question. I notice a lot of "broken down seats" on the door side/driver side when looking at pics. To me, that is an issue. Maybe it's just because a guy with a large butt filled up the seat a little more than most, but it's prevalent.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 708
Likes: 47
The seats are basically the same, in 2012 they changed the seat back foam and cover with the wider shoulder area. Soooo, if you found an older car and really wanted the newer style seat, the foam and cover kits are available. It’s really not a difficult project at all.
Mark
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The "broken down seats" are primarily due to the entry/exit method used and is substantially increased by the weight. The butt first plop and sit 'n spin really works over the seat edge. There's a repair kit someone makes if you find the right car, but the bad seat. I'm at 155K miles with minimal seat wear, but I enter/exit like I did when I was 16 (1957).
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,387
Likes: 6,530
From: Melbourne, FL
The "broken down seats" are primarily due to the entry/exit method used and is substantially increased by the weight. The butt first plop and sit 'n spin really works over the seat edge. There's a repair kit someone makes if you find the right car, but the bad seat. I'm at 155K miles with minimal seat wear, but I enter/exit like I did when I was 16 (1957).
I dont think the newer seats are any more comfortable or grippier, but they do look nicer. I've had both, on track and around town, and imo it's a cosmetics change. That said, I do prefer them and you could get ultrasuede inserts on them, which makes a bigger difference in grip than anything IMO.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 699
From: Covington KY
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have an '05 and my heated seats are great, they get very warm. I have had other vehicles that did not get as warm as the seats in the vette. Also the lumbar has more adjustment than other cars I have had, including 5th gen SS Camaro, more lumbar than I need to use. My seats are not broken down, I think the original owner was "Linda" so maybe she didn't have a big butt, lol.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
I replaced the foam (both bottom & seat back) when I added custom seat skins. While my original foam was not broken down, the new foam (ordered from GM dealer) was a different color and appeared to be more dense. The seat frames are the same, so as was mentioned, you can replaced the seat foam & skins in a pre-'12 car to get '12-'13 seats. Another option is adding an aftermarket heated seat kit, it's not difficult to do at all. I added one to my wife's 1st '16 Jeep Wrangler and it worked great. That Jeep was totaled & of course she needed an upgrade, so her new one had factory heated seats - works the same as the aftermarket kit I installed previously. Most aftermarket kits are around $150 iirc.
Last edited by JABCAT; Jan 19, 2019 at 10:17 AM.
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Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If the seat bottom is sagging, but the rest seems fine, here's what I did to restore it.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-fix-mod.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-fix-mod.html