Hi guys. I’ve seen this thread in bits and pieces but I think it’s time to resurrect since we will be having to make this decision in the upcoming months. What’s everyone thoughts and past experiences on the suede vs leather inserts? Share pictures as well. Thanks

I prefer leather.

The term "Suede" can be confusing as it is a disaster and is really no good for much of anything while the Alcantara type materials which are used in the automotive world along with many other applications is a fantastic product.

The more the better for me. Since you brought it up I have been wondering if you get the Alcantara inserts are the pieces under the dash and on the door panels also alcantara? I have not seen a stingray with that option yet.

My understand--correct me if I'm wrong--is that you only get the alcantara inserts on the dash and door (and center console) if you opt for the yellow or red stitching. But if you then get level 2 CF, it appears the center console alcantara is replaced with CF.

Can the comp seats be configured with absolutely no alcantara?

Avoid suede/Alcantara if you typically have greasy hands. It soaks up the grease and you’ll never get it out.

I test drove a used Camaro SS a few years ago and despite it having been detailed it was gross. The original owner must have eaten fries or buffalo wings while he drove because the Alcantara wheel was matted flat and slippery smooth from the grease. Absolutely disgusting.

I don’t eat in my cars but I still prefer leather. I love the feel and as it wears in it only gets better. I’ve never had an Alcantara steering wheel but I can’t believe it stands up to use as well as leather.

I agree, totally out on alcantara on anything that gets touched.

Following....any pics?

To each his own. I ordered my ‘22 HTC Stingray with the suede inserts because I prefer the way the seats grip / hold me. I really love the look and feel and think it takes the look up a notch. But i also get peoples apprehension due to cleanliness concerns especially long term.

I would agree most people are slobs in their cars but I’m not and won’t be eating in my C8. I’m #580 with a top 3 dealer, so I’ve got some time to decide before I order my Z06 (maybe a 2025?). I’ve had suede before and it does require a little more care and the steering wheel does take the brunt of it. I think if I planned on keeping the car for 30 years, I’d get all leather. (PS - photo note, the flash light is hitting off the perforated steel seats funny, making them looks dusty. The seats were perfectly clean).

Its not that expensive or difficult to wrap those pieces in Alcantara if you want to. I’ve done this in my Carbon Z. I’m almost finished, but basically every interior plastic piece is wrapped in factory-match Alcantara. About $500-$700 total (4-5 yards of fabric).

Under the dash, door panels, steering wheel & part of inner steering wheel where you press for the horn, pillars, under targa top, seat inserts, console, side console. I love it and gives a supercar feel imo on my stingray. Its really nice. I've have leather all over on my other cars and I like this better. If I remember later I can take a few photos and post them. Will probably do this option when I order a Z06 or ZR1

I have had both in many cars, I was worried at first to how the Alcantara would hold up and stay clean, was surprised on how clean looking it stayed with no signs of wear

For those with long term experience with this, any thoughts on the effectiveness of microfiber cleaner like Sonax makes? I hear so many people warn about microfiber steering wheels getting matted down and gross over time, wondering if these people have ever used a microfiber cleaner to try to fix this? I’ve heard first hand accounts that the cleaner makes it as good as new while others swear off microfiber like it’s ruined once it starts getting dirty and matted down.

https://www.lenosgarage.com/blogs/au...e-or-alcantara

I much prefer the Alcantara interior & steering wheel in my Z to the leather interiors & steering wheels in my other cars. In my ‘12 GS I went with a full custom leather interior & custom leather wheel. All interior plastic pieces were covered in leather. For my Z I did the same but this time with Alcantara - so much better.

So it takes a little more effort to maintain once or twice a year… don’t see how this is such a big deal people make it out to be. Unless you habitually eat French fries or other greasy foods when driving… this is a non-issue IMO.

I had Alcantara in my M3 and it's easy to clean. It will mat down over time too but the best way to clean and fluff it back to life is a tooth brush and warm water with a little dish soap in it. Then just tamp it dry and you're good to go.

In my experience many people just don’t want to put in much effort above wiping something off with a microfiber towel every once in awhile.

My current daily driver is a 2016 Shelby GT350 with the microfiber steering wheel. I don't eat in my car, so the steering wheel stays pretty clean, but I've had very good luck with the Sonax cleaner. I use it every few months. Even with clean hands, the microfiber does get matted down a bit over time. The Sonax cleaner brings it back, and it's very easy to use.

All in all, however, I still prefer a leather steering wheel.

While generally true, the funny thing is there are a large number of people on this forum who buy all kinds of leather cleaners and conditioners and work on their plastic coated leather like it's a saddle for hours multiple times a year. Some of them are the same ones who will claim the Alcantara (although different brand) is too hard to clean and probably never owned it.

The fake microfiber suede stuff holds up great in general and is pretty easy to care for. I would focus the decision on which like the looks/feel of better and not in care, they'll both be relatively easy to deal with. Probably not applicable to anyone buying a new Z06, but if it was a daily driver sitting out in the sun all day, I would think 10 years and 100k miles down the road the leather is more likely to have cracking and wear issues.

I've been going back in forth but have really liked my Camaro's fakey-suede much more than I thought I would and am leaning that direction.