When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm really conflicted between the 2LT & 3LT. I'm sure this is a common situation for new Corvette buyers. Is the Napa leather really that much nicer than the Mulan (or SPAM type leather)? Do they both endure use well? Is the suede that's glued to the trim on the 3LT durable and better looking than the plastic trim on the 2LT? (I'm really hung up on the 3LT suede trim covering thinking it looks . . . overdone for a Corvette.)
High quality picture comparisons and/or comments from those who've owned both a 2LT and 3LT Corvette would be appreciated.
When I went to the local Stealership for the first time, he had cars with both 2LT and 3LT so a side by side comparison was worthwhile and easy. 3LT the "leather" is nicer than the what they use on 2LT, plus there is more of it. So the decision was easy for me. Just bear in mind that it is not near the quality of the leather of old that you used to find on foreign high end luxury cars.
Visit your local stealership and see for yourself.
My 2014 was Black 3LT .. my 2017 is Black 2LT ... The only thing I miss is the smell of Leather every time I got in my 3LT. I personally would only go with a 3LT if you want a color other than Black and save the money for other options. Of course .. some packages are only available 3LT so you have no choice.
After owning an all ebony with suede insert 2LT and now the diamond blue leather interior 3LT..... I'll tell you hands down to go with 3LT!!!! After just a few months the new car smell was gone in the 2LT. In the 3LT every time I open the door after a year and a half, especially in the sun, it smells of a very high quality leather jacket. Not to mention the leather on the dash and doors is a very extremely high quality!!!!
Besides the obvious color differences and areas covered via 3LT vs 2LT, I think the faux suede is really nice on the A-pillars and coupe roofs. It also ties in better if you opt for the suede seat inserts.
My only gripe with GM over the 3LT/3LZ option is that if you also want the $2K option Competition Seats, you lose the Nappa leather and revert to the Mulan leather. IMO that's basically a double whammy as you're paying $2K more for the seats, but losing 50% or more of the Nappa leather you just paid more for (compared to 2LT).
Had a 3LT Kalahari in my 2014 Z51. They did away with the full leather dash and now have a patchwork quilt approach. Was ready to buy a 2LT black interior Grand Sport but saw a C7 with red interior. It's patchwork as well in a 3LT so got a 2 LT. Ordered it with red seat belts- good match and looks integrated.
I can't tell any significant difference in the "seating surface" that was Nappa Leather in my 3LT and my 2LT! My 2LT after 3 months still smells, wish it would go away!
I did find I liked the upper dash pad in red but not the glove compartment and extra red on the doors in the red 3LT. Just doesn't go with the other balck dash parts both have, IMO. So bought the GM 3LT red upper dash pad for $320. Easy to install, 5 minutes-all clips. Now have a 2017 2.5LT! Whatever material the GM 3LT upper dash pad I added is made from, it has the same texture as my black dash!
Funny, GM "copied my idea" and now the 2018 2LT comes with just the upper dash pad seat color but not the glove compartment or what I think is excess color on the doors.
Here are a few pics I just took. Not positive what is Leather, Spam Leather (as you correctly called it) or Vinyl. Best I could every define for sure with my 3LT Kalahari was as a GM source said, Nappa leather "Seating Surface" and other "Soft Touch" materials!
Appreciate, aesthetics are personal so for those that love their 3LT, great. I did not need any of the other extras that come for the extra ~$5000!
3LT Upper Dash Pad (Red Leather?) 2LT Black Dash (Vinyl)
3LT Upper Dash Pad (Red Leather?) 2LT Black Dash (Vinyl) Similar Textures. Perhaps Cow Dependent! Unlikely, Probably Embossed Spam Leather.
Texture of Vinyl Black Dash. Perhaps Texture is Oil Source Dependent! With The Proper Texturing Rolls Vinyl Look Like Leather!
I'm going to assume it's all genuine leather but I doubt even the 3LT is top grain (ie: natural texture). It's probably all got the grain "stamped" into it.
I'll say this much: I've never bought a car and found myself driving it 5 years later wishing I could get an uglier interior. Spend the money if it's within your responsible reach.
I've got a Range Rover Autobiography which is literally a $20,000.00+ option for the Queen of England so she gets a spanky Rover interior. I got mine because someone backed out of it and didn't pick it up. So long story short, I've got a seriously nice interior with a ton of leather, and I almost never take it for granted, I'm always happy with the interior. It is, after all, how I spend most of my time with the car: looking at the interior (if not out the window!).
^^^^ The dash pieces on a 3LT may be leather but it's as you said, spam leather with an embossed pattern. As noted in pics of my 3LT upper dash pad, it has a very similar pattern and depth as the black vinyl dash (post #8.) My "guess" is the console and much if not all of the door "leather" is spam leather or possibly embossed colored vinyl. Doubt they have two different red console covers for 2LT and 3LT.
The key to me is not the material but how much is colored! GM backed off of full dash color in the 3LT Kalahari in our 2014 as well as some other colors. At the time the wife had a Porsche Cayenne with full tan interior, full dash. My 2014 3LT looked as good! She currently has a BMW X5 SUV with top of the line all white leather looks great.
When I look at the Vette with the max 3LT leather (and in most colors) it looks patch work! Aesthetics are very subjective so appreciate there are folks who think it's great and that's fine. Was ready to buy what I had in 3 other Vettes, all black and not worry about what material and what pieces are made from. Found a base white car with 2LT red interior and wife and I liked the look so ordered it in a 2LT Grand Sport.
Had a 3LT Kalahari in my 2014 Z51. They did away with the full leather dash and now have a patchwork quilt approach. Was ready to buy a 2LT black interior Grand Sport but saw a C7 with red interior. It's patchwork as well in a 3LT so got a 2 LT. Ordered it with red seat belts- good match and looks integrated.
I can't tell any significant difference in the "seating surface" that was Nappa Leather in my 3LT and my 2LT! My 2LT after 3 months still smells, wish it would go away!
I did find I liked the upper dash pad in red but not the glove compartment and extra red on the doors in the red 3LT. Just doesn't go with the other balck dash parts both have, IMO. So bought the GM 3LT red upper dash pad for $320. Easy to install, 5 minutes-all clips. Now have a 2017 2.5LT! Whatever material the GM 3LT upper dash pad I added is made from, it has the same texture as my black dash!
Funny, GM "copied my idea" and now the 2018 2LT comes with just the upper dash pad seat color but not the glove compartment or what I think is excess color on the doors.
Here are a few pics I just took. Not positive what is Leather, Spam Leather (as you correctly called it) or Vinyl. Best I could every define for sure with my 3LT Kalahari was as a GM source said, Nappa leather "Seating Surface" and other "Soft Touch" materials!
Appreciate, aesthetics are personal so for those that love their 3LT, great. I did not need any of the other extras that come for the extra ~$5000!
3LT Upper Dash Pad (Red Leather?) 2LT Black Dash (Vinyl)
3LT Upper Dash Pad (Red Leather?) 2LT Black Dash (Vinyl) Similar Textures. Perhaps Cow Dependent! Unlikely, Probably Embossed Spam Leather.
Texture of Vinyl Black Dash. Perhaps Texture is Oil Source Dependent! With The Proper Texturing Rolls Vinyl Look Like Leather!
I share your opinion regarding the red door inserts and glove compartment cover, good idea on adding the red upper dash pad.
Besides the obvious color differences and areas covered via 3LT vs 2LT, I think the faux suede is really nice on the A-pillars and coupe roofs. It also ties in better if you opt for the suede seat inserts.
My only gripe with GM over the 3LT/3LZ option is that if you also want the $2K option Competition Seats, you lose the Nappa leather and revert to the Mulan leather. IMO that's basically a double whammy as you're paying $2K more for the seats, but losing 50% or more of the Nappa leather you just paid more for (compared to 2LT).
I think you're absolutely right. And, of course, GM is so kind to share this information before the sale. Oh, wait -- they don't.
Side question I want to apply leather cleaner and conditioner to the dash area, is the dash area all leather? (dash area where the sun can shine on) like the part above the glove compartment etc. I got a 1LZ
Some of it is for sure vinyl! That which is leather is as someone called it "spam" leather, made line baloney or Delli turkey! (There is no turkey with a breast that big!) Whatever it is, it's coated with a thin layer of plastic. 1LT and 2LT's have "spam" leather on the seating surface, 3LT has real cow hide Nappa leather on the seating surface but it also has a plastic layer!
Folks will tell you just use soap and water on any of the materials. I like Zaino cleaner and conditioner-it works on leather or vinyl! Smells nice too!
Some of it is for sure vinyl! That which is leather is as someone called it "spam" leather, made line baloney or Delli turkey! (There is no turkey with a breast that big!) Whatever it is, it's coated with a thin layer of plastic. 1LT and 2LT's have "spam" leather on the seating surface, 3LT has real cow hide Nappa leather on the seating surface but it also has a plastic layer!
Folks will tell you just use soap and water on any of the materials. I like Zaino cleaner and conditioner-it works on leather or vinyl! Smells nice too!
Which parts are vinyl? is it the part that's closest to the windshield? and they are usually much harder and stiff right but some are hard to tell.
man I got leather protectant and vinyl protectant, any problem if I just use leather protectant on all of them?
Before I got my 3LT, I was in a showroom that had a 2LT and a 3 LT side by side. The smell of the leather in the 3LT was significantly greater than the 2LT-and I mean significantly. That sold me.
Which parts are vinyl? is it the part that's closest to the windshield? and they are usually much harder and stiff right but some are hard to tell.
man I got leather protectant and vinyl protectant, any problem if I just use leather protectant on all of them?
Yep, for sure all that black is vinyl on all levels, IMO. Leather cleaner condition should do no harm as folks note, it's all coated (even the real cow hide Nappa leather on the "seating surface" on a 3LT) with a thin layer of plastic. Conditioner may do nothing for any of the materials as most folks will tell you. I like the smell on Zaino. However I do find their cleaner works well and is better than soap and water.
3LT/LZ all the way. It puts the luxury in the car.
"It's a sports car it's not supposed to be luxurious". If that's your thought process, then pull out your passenger seat, carpet , radio and air conditioner and really sport up your car.
You must go to a dealer and check both out in person to really understand the differences.
I think one thing to consider is that the tougher leather/synthetic/vinyl doesn’t typically crease as quickly. Since this is my first GM, let alone Corvette, I kind of applied BMW logic to the trims. BMW will use Napa or Dakota leather but their base synthetic leather actually looks newer longer and like with the 2LT looks pretty close to leather. Plus some people are anti-animal materials so 1LT/2LT is a more friendly option for them. I know we’re all carnivores in this forum though lol. I’m very happy with my 2LT pleather and feel like it’s pretty decent and resilient overall. Guys talking up the 3LT leather makes it sound like if you get anything less, you just bought a Hyundai.
As for the intoxicating leather smell, that’s easily replicated with leather cleaners or car air fresheners etc. It’s still better than the M4 with fabric seats on their base trim for an $80k car.
Leather Differences?
and now the 2018 2LT comes with just the upper dash pad seat color but not the glove compartment or what I think is excess color on the doors.
The dash pieces on a 3LT may be leather but it's as you said, spam leather with an embossed pattern. As noted in pics of my 3LT upper dash pad, it has a very similar pattern and depth as the black vinyl dash (post #8.) My "guess" is the console and much if not all of the door "leather" is spam leather or possibly embossed colored vinyl. Doubt they have two different red console covers for 2LT and 3LT.
