[ming321]

Call me crazy, and maybe I watch too much Unique Whips and similar shows, but I think the suede seat inserts look killer. I have the stone/gray leather and I think some some darker gray inserts would really personalize my ride. I've given it some thought but have a couple of reservations. First, the obvious one- suede on a Benz makes sense, does it belong on a car like the Fusion (meaning not a high $$ luxury or sports car). Second, I have heated seats, and I wonder if they will still work if I put suede inserts. Where I'm coming from is an experience with my mom's Caddy. Her seat heaters quit working, and she had to have the seats recovered- leather and all (thank goodness for warranties). The seat heaters were integrated into the leather.

I like my seat heaters and don't want to give them up. Is there someone that knows about this that can respond. Also, is suede in a Fusion to "pimp". While I'm at it, what about a suede headliner too.... arty:

 

[Donald T]

[quote author=ming321 link=topic=50128.msg792345#msg792345 date=1151546273]
Call me crazy, and maybe I watch too much Unique Whips and similar shows, but I think the suede seat inserts look killer.  I have the stone/gray leather and I think some some darker gray inserts would really personalize my ride.  I've given it some thought but have a couple of reservations.  First, the obvious one- suede on a Benz makes sense, does it belong on a car like the Fusion (meaning not a high $$ luxury or sports car).  Second, I have heated seats, and I wonder if they will still work if I put suede inserts.  Where I'm coming from is an experience with my mom's Caddy.  Her seat heaters quit working, and she had to have the seats recovered- leather and all (thank goodness for warranties).  The seat heaters were integrated into the leather.

I like my seat heaters and don't want to give them up.  Is there someone that knows about this that can respond.  Also, is suede in a Fusion to "pimp".  While I'm at it, what about a suede headliner too.... arty:
[/quote]

my brother use to have a 2003 Mustang Cobra with the inserts and it looked great, should be no problem in a Fusion.

 

[Spacyj17]

Do whatever you want to do to your ride! It takes people pushing the envelope to set trends and innovate. A local seat upholstery shop should be able to answer your heated seat questions. Personally, I think that it would look very nice and the material should work with the heated seat elements. Post pics when you finished the job!

 

[lammer]

The cloth inserts I had on my SVTF, worked well, they hilited the colour of the car (blue) and they were warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer than full leather seats.

What colour is your car? Have you thought about choosing a colour that matches the car?

I'd be interested to see how you make out.

good luck

 

[ming321]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd say that adding suede inserts is about 3rd on my list of possible to do's, but wanted to get a feel from the community as to how it would look. I have the tungsten silver exterior with stone gray interior (top part of dash and doors is black). I don't think I would go so far as to match the exterior color, but a darker color of gray or charcoal would compliment the interior. I may go by a local custom shop that's done some body work for me in the past and price it out. If it was reasonably priced, it might move up on my list. Thanks again

 

[ming321]

Well I won't be putting inserts (suede or otherwise) in my car anytime soon. Stopped by a local custom shop to get an estimate. This was replacing the center panels (the perforated area) with either suede or a darker shade of leather. The low end was $900 up to as much as $1300+. It's a very labor intensive job.

I talked with another place by phone and they were more expensive. However, they do leather dying, and the cost is more like $125-150 per seat. So that would be $5-600. I would really like to do this, but for that amount I can get new rims, or any number of other things.

I'll have to think about it some more.

 

[Spacyj17]

If you haven't given up on the idea completely you should try leatherseats.com. I don't know if they have a pattern for the Fusion yet but the prices I've seen are better than the $900 your local shop quoted...