Leather vs. Alcantara

[AL]

id personally put proper keyed locks on glove box and centre console, all in one booth lock, petrol cap lock and engine imobiliser lock ( all keyed ), as in '99 onward toyota mr2 and many other models i would assume, a choice of interior materials and colours,
got me estimate back for full alcantara interior, seats front + back, sills, centre console. etc....... 2,500 euro, ( is this good or bad ) best was form a lad down in clane business park ........ does anyone know of his quality of work.

other things id change is quality of leather on momo steering wheel
decent pedals as standard,

OH YES, NEARLY FORGOT. a genuine mitsi speedo dial that can reach the full potential of the mivec engine.............. 240kmph

[kevinod]

I have to agree on the dash, way too much black, very dull looking (alu rings + cups sorted that one out).

The aerial is a dodgy point, maybe works fine in Japan but I'd like to have had a better aerial without one that comes out the back left wing.

Big thiing would be better lights, HIDs or something, std ones are terrible! Including a rear fog light as part of the cluster would've been good.

The cigarette lighter is a bit close to the gearstick, I'd move it around the corner (one of my long finger projects).

Prob not much else comes to mind, they did a pretty good job designing & building the car all in all.

Kev.

[AL]

oh before i go, 17s as standard, perferably rays volk racing 2 piece, 5 spoke rims and wider ones on back to fill that arch

[Mustang]

I'd have given the GS a bit more power.

[Dave]

yeah there's a bit drop between the GR and the GS!!!

maybe a turbo??? or did i mention that one already?

[kevinod]

got me estimate back for full alcantara interior, seats front + back, sills, centre console. etc....... 2,500 euro, ( is this good or bad ) best was form a lad down in clane business park ........ does anyone know of his quality of work.

Ouch... I'm waiting on a quote for a leather retrim - seats, door cards, gaitor, handbrake sleeve, and I'm thinking it'll be about a 3rd of that. Of course that is fitting it myself, but still, I get to pick the colour and stitching and whatever else I fancy on it.

No idea what alcantara usually costs elsewhere though so dunno, and does that include fitting?

Kev.

[Mustang]

Better light cluster design and manufacturing to stop them clouding up!

[Viper]

I think everyone is out as regards the question...
The question is not what you would design differently, it's what Mitsubishi would design differently.

Therefore bigger wheels are out, as it would increase the cost of the car, and also remove the after sales modifications income.
Also the car has to be front wheel drive as it was designed as a competitor to the Integra/Celica, likewise turbo.

Wish list though :
1. The manual needs to have 6 gears as 5th gear is too racy, even at 60mph. (why need so much acceleration in 5th?)
2. Soundproofing around the wheel arches.
3. Available in Europe/USA from the start.
4. More power in GPvR (too little a step up from GPX)
5. Tappets to be addressed before facelift one problem was identified.
6. Still producing them in 2005!

[Myfeckin FTO]

Very good idea on the 6 speed box - though I'd actually lower the 3rd /4th and 5th gear ratios and add the higher 6th gear to it - The FTO thrives on high revs so you'd need fairly low gearing or it would get bogged down.

Theres really not much more they could have done on the engine side without recourse to turbos or superchargers so the GPvR should have been made more extreme with bigger brakes, better suspension improvements and more than 30kg knocked off the GPX weight - the standard FTO bonnet and boot weigh a lot so big weight savings could be made by having these items in aluminium as per the MX5.

And yeah definetly should have kept the model running or brought out further revisions or a direct replacement.

[Kace]

4. More power in GPvR (too little a step up from GPX)

More than zero you mean - there is no engine difference between GPX and GPvR as far as I remember.

[soc]

For me:

* Bigger and wider wheels
* Bigger brakes
* Lowered from factory
* Better sound proofing
* Optional leather interior and better bolstered seats
* Tip box as an option only, i.e. make manual the default choice not the rare exception
* Add some brushed aluminium to interior to brighten it up a bit

Can't think of much else to be honest (without going overboard).....

[AL]

yeh kevinod, that includes fitting, i want a very tight fit to seats, have seen a few car seat recover jobs than left me feeling sick, they were so bad i wasnt to sure if they were reupholstered or just cheap and cheerful sat covers, lol.
also alcantara is more expensive than standard leather finish, will keep looking around for quotes though, its not a main priority at the moment, getting me alloys first

[Myfeckin FTO]

yeh kevinod, that includes fitting, i want a very tight fit to seats, have seen a few car seat recover jobs than left me feeling sick, they were so bad i wasnt to sure if they were reupholstered or just cheap and cheerful sat covers, lol.
also alcantara is more expensive than standard leather finish, will keep looking around for quotes though, its not a main priority at the moment, getting me alloys first

Had a set of Alcantara Sparco Milanos in my last car - very nice material - much better than leather IMO. Not easy to keep clean though.

[kevinod]

yeh kevinod, that includes fitting, i want a very tight fit to seats, have seen a few car seat recover jobs than left me feeling sick, they were so bad i wasnt to sure if they were reupholstered or just cheap and cheerful sat covers, lol.
also alcantara is more expensive than standard leather finish, will keep looking around for quotes though, its not a main priority at the moment, getting me alloys first

Had a set of Alcantara Sparco Milanos in my last car - very nice material - much better than leather IMO. Not easy to keep clean though.

Each to their own, personally I think leather is the way to go, the alcantara option doesn't do it for me. Having said that though I've never been in a car with alcantara seats so I'll reserve final judgement until I do!

Kev.

[Mustang]

Kevinod wrote

Each to their own, personally I think leather is the way to go, the alcantara option doesn't do it for me.

I'd rather have leather too!

[Myfeckin FTO]

Kevinod wrote

Each to their own, personally I think leather is the way to go, the alcantara option doesn't do it for me.

I'd rather have leather too!

Don't get me wrong -
What I mean to say is: Alcantara trim on a well bolstered seat is just "tight" (in Pimp my Ride talk )
- Leather on the softer seats like an FTO is probably a slightly better option.

Though the leather on the Milanos is sweet as well -



Decisions/decisions - if only I could afford to make them.

[kevinod]

hey, I might get converted yet, maybe a week after I've spent a few hundred notes on my leather retrim but I won't rule anything out until I've tried it.

Surprised by how much it is (have we hijacked this thread enough yet? ), for my igorance is it just a cloth like velvet or something or is there slaughter of innocent animals involved with alcantara too?

Kev.

[CJ]

have we hijacked this thread enough yet?

Yes! Thread split, lets keep it on topic.....

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

for my igorance is it just a cloth like velvet or something or is there slaughter of innocent animals involved with alcantara too?Kev.

Sorry to disappoint, Kev - but theres no slaughter involved - Alcantara is a synthetic matierial - feels softer than suede and looks much better too.
The matierial of choice for many an exotic Italian Supercar.
You could probably make up for the lack of slaughter by decatting your engine and poisoning the cows as you drive by.

[Mustang]

Sorry to disappoint, Kev - but theres no slaughter involved - Alcantara is a synthetic matierial

Alcantara -The vegetarians choice! I'd still prefer the steak option myself!
Seems v. expensive for a manmade material, but I guess you could say the same about carbon fibre.

[AL]

yes alcantara is a manmade microfibre patented in US i think
its seudelike.
i really wish people would come down off there hi-horses about how great most leather finishes are. ok leather is nice to look at and easy to clean, this applies equally for alcantara. but what else is it you like .......... is it that squeeky noise when you try to get your ar$e compy while driving or is it that sticky feel on a hot day

[Kace]

It's the smell - you can't beat the smell of real leather !!!

[CJ]

It's the smell - you can't beat the smell of real leather !!!

Seconded!

CJ

[AL]

THE SMELL ,is that the best defence you can come up with eh,lol

go out and buy a new leather smell air freshener or bring ur new leather jacket with you everywhere you go in the car. i rest my case

next we will be considering PVC or RUBBER as the next recovering option , sorry im gettin carried away here, also wrong site for this disscussion i think

[kevinod]

Heh, you have to admit, not much beats the smell of new leather!

Its not just that though, leather has real substance about it, feels good, comfortable, and can look really well, definately adds to the value of your car!

Not hearing many pro alcantara arguments though?

Kev.