How's Your Leather Holding Up?
04-06-2011, 11:48 PM
#41
10th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2011
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I don't think it's superficial, I think you have certain expectations with the purchase of a 30k automobile. I've seen a lot of threads about 2nd gen leather quality, and from my shopping experience I've noticed the same.
I would bring your concerns to the dealer so it's documented, and snap a few pics. If they don't fix it, at least you're building a case. You won't be the first or last to complain about it, but if they won't work with you on a warranty issue then escalate it. You're under warranty, give it hell.
I wonder if there are aftermarket solutions out there. Would suck to get rid of a great car for this, and would probably cost just as much to replace the leather as it would to trade for something else.
I would bring your concerns to the dealer so it's documented, and snap a few pics. If they don't fix it, at least you're building a case. You won't be the first or last to complain about it, but if they won't work with you on a warranty issue then escalate it. You're under warranty, give it hell.
I wonder if there are aftermarket solutions out there. Would suck to get rid of a great car for this, and would probably cost just as much to replace the leather as it would to trade for something else.
Anyway, I'll start with the documentation process and find out how amenable the dealer is regarding my potential claim. If nothing else, at least there's a great place for breakfast in the same town they're located in.
04-06-2011, 11:53 PM
#42
Instructor
I went out with this broad and she said she only accept leather on her thighs. I told her we have a lot in common as I only like leather on my legs too and there's a lot of room in the back seat....Remember don't wear out the seats....wear out the leather 
Rated PG-13
Rated PG-13
04-07-2011, 07:06 AM
#43
Bent = #1
Of course all materials age, but from what mphilleo is saying even going above and beyond with proactive care and maintenance (from the beginning of the service life) has still not shown positive results. And that's only after ~3k miles.
I'm not looking to impress anyone, but if I'm buying a 30k automobile I expect the leather to look new well past 3k miles. I go far above and far beyond what is expected for regular care and maintenance of my automobiles. If even that will not net positive results I may have to look elsewhere for my purchase. I can't imagine owning a sparkling, dent free, scratchless, well running Acura with 20k miles and torn leather seats.
It's a shame because I've owned several Honda products, and I'm sold on the 2nd gen TSX, but the leather is the only thing that has me questioning the purchase. If I buy CPO I'm going to have the dealer throw in an extra lower driver's seat cover ($450 ouch). Or I may have a local shop make full exact replacement covers for the front seats, but made out of better materials (double ouch).
I'd hate to change my purchase based solely on the quality of the leather, might just have to come up with a plan B instead.
I'm not looking to impress anyone, but if I'm buying a 30k automobile I expect the leather to look new well past 3k miles. I go far above and far beyond what is expected for regular care and maintenance of my automobiles. If even that will not net positive results I may have to look elsewhere for my purchase. I can't imagine owning a sparkling, dent free, scratchless, well running Acura with 20k miles and torn leather seats.
It's a shame because I've owned several Honda products, and I'm sold on the 2nd gen TSX, but the leather is the only thing that has me questioning the purchase. If I buy CPO I'm going to have the dealer throw in an extra lower driver's seat cover ($450 ouch). Or I may have a local shop make full exact replacement covers for the front seats, but made out of better materials (double ouch).
I'd hate to change my purchase based solely on the quality of the leather, might just have to come up with a plan B instead.
06-04-2014, 12:06 PM
#44
3rd Gear
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: York, PA
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Just bought 2013 last year. My drivers seat is buckling and looks stretched already and only have 6000 miles on my car... plus i weigh 125 lbs. I'm going back AGAIN to the dealership because my winter coat transferred dye to the seat and they replaced the back. I even bought the simonize package and they said that should not happen. Very disappointed with the leather on my TSX. If it's stretching already...how will it look in another year or two???
Angie
Angie
06-05-2014, 06:05 AM
#45
Just bought 2013 last year. My drivers seat is buckling and looks stretched already and only have 6000 miles on my car... plus i weigh 125 lbs. I'm going back AGAIN to the dealership because my winter coat transferred dye to the seat and they replaced the back. I even bought the simonize package and they said that should not happen. Very disappointed with the leather on my TSX. If it's stretching already...how will it look in another year or two???
Angie
Angie
. My current car with 13k miles has the black leather and looks new.The secret to maintaining leather is cleaning. I use LeatherMasters Strong cleaner avery few months, scrubbing any creases well and they all but go away.
06-05-2014, 07:27 AM
#46
The drivers side bolster had collapsed on my 10 tsx with 49,000 miles, previous owner. The dealer replaced the entire seat bottom. They did not replace the leather, however it looks great now with the new foam. I suggest anyone under warranty to do the same.
06-05-2014, 04:20 PM
#47
my leather is getting wear on it pretty quick and badly.. majority on the sides... how can i cause it from getting worse? besides conditioning and cleaning which i do.
06-05-2014, 04:37 PM
#48
Goodbye.
Just bought 2013 last year. My drivers seat is buckling and looks stretched already and only have 6000 miles on my car... plus i weigh 125 lbs. I'm going back AGAIN to the dealership because my winter coat transferred dye to the seat and they replaced the back. I even bought the simonize package and they said that should not happen. Very disappointed with the leather on my TSX. If it's stretching already...how will it look in another year or two???
Angie
Angie
and what is the simonize package?
06-06-2014, 05:39 AM
#49
The "simonize package" is a protectant package sold by dealers that pours weird crap on the paint and interior surfaces. That stuff is at best worthless and can be harmful to paint and leather. What it really does is protect the dealer's bottom line because they spend $25 on product, $10 on labor and sell it for $600-$1000.
06-06-2014, 09:13 AM
#50
VTEC just kicked in, yo!
The "simonize package" is a protectant package sold by dealers that pours weird crap on the paint and interior surfaces. That stuff is at best worthless and can be harmful to paint and leather. What it really does is protect the dealer's bottom line because they spend $25 on product, $10 on labor and sell it for $600-$1000.
I'm going to try and remove the simonize crap (at least the interior bit of it) and hopefully put something that's tried and true on, like lexol.
06-10-2014, 06:07 AM
#52
For the interior, it's like some sort of leather conditioner. My MY13 came with it (I didn't know any better, it was part of the haggling/dealing with the stealers to get more stuff out of them), and now I wish I hadn't done it. One side effect in particular that really set off a red flag on this "package" is that when I pulled down the cup holder/arm rest in the back seats and left it in that position for a while, oils (or that's what it looked like) from the "conditioned" leather from the arm rest seemed to have transferred onto the already "conditioned" middle seat, causing a weird, saturated finish on the middle seat. This became obvious only when a passenger of mine lifted the arm rest up and let me know of how weird it looked.
I'm going to try and remove the simonize crap (at least the interior bit of it) and hopefully put something that's tried and true on, like lexol.
I'm going to try and remove the simonize crap (at least the interior bit of it) and hopefully put something that's tried and true on, like lexol.
The following users liked this post:
xtcnrice (06-10-2014)
06-10-2014, 06:12 AM
#53
Of course it can be replaced. Any decent car upholstery shop can do repairs (just make sure that they work with airbags), replace the leather covers or you can get OE leather seats or from vendors like Katzkin.
Wrinkles don't turn into rips if you clean and condition the leather properly.
06-13-2014, 03:01 PM
#55
In general, everything your butt, legs and back touches is leather. I believe the front of the headrest is leather as well. The sides and back are plastic.
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