OEM vs Non-OEM seats Options

[Xander_X]

So my car was pretty near mint for being 13 years old when I got it but I can be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes and want to fix all the little things in the car and take it from great condition to showroom quality (Let's not nit pick over what everyone's definition or condition's need to be met to meet "showroom" quality. This is not what this post is about).

Right now, my main focus is on either getting my leather seats repaired or replacing them. The front leather parts are still nice and intact, but the synthetic sides have a few tears in them on the outside sides and are starting to pull from the seams in small spots on the inside sides. I've talked with a couple upholsters (who I might add talk to me like I'm crazy for wanting to spend that kind of money on my Celica). So far I'm getting quotes for around $1200 to re-upholster JUST the fronts. I've been told that even though the front part, where the leather is, is still intact, it had become too hard with age to sew into and they can therefor not just replace the synthetic parts.

So I've been considering the option of getting a nice used set of Recaro's instead (Probably a set from a JDM Integra Type R). Does anyone here have either universal Recaro's or ones out of another vehicle? I'm wondering how hard it would be to mount the factory rails on them? I've never used Recaro though I've used Corbeau, Dynamic Auto Design (DAD) and a no name brand (of which my computer chair is made of now). All of which I had to make custom brackets for to fit into Integra's. I'm really not a fan of most aftermarket brackets which is why I like to keep the OEM ones. What has everyone else done that have switch out their seats? (And I'm not really fan of the 7th gen seats so that's not an option).

PS - I'd LOVE a set of JDM Celica Recaro seats. If you got 'em and willing to sell them .... PM me!

This post has been edited by Xander_X: Aug 15, 2012 - 9:32 AM

[bhawk94]

I came to the same crossroads you are at about 10 years ago when my OEM cloth seats started coming apart.

I ended up ordering a set of custom fitted leather covers for front and rear seats from Katskin.com and had a upholstery place install them. They placed some new foam in the seats and put the covers on. When it was all finished my seats looked really great. The fitment was perfect and you couldn't tell they were aftermarket seats to the unknowing eye. See my profile for a picture.

I also paid about what your upholstery place quoted you for covers for front and rear seats and install. They still look great to this day, 10 years later, except minor wear/fading.

HOWEVER if I had to do it again, I would go with a set of nice set of used OEM seats from an ST205--OR a classy set of aftermarket bucket seats (Recarro, Corbeau, etc) in the front and leave the back as they are or take them out completely. Who really uses the back seats anyway??