Leather Differences
 

I am still yet to buy an RX8 (been looking into one for almost a 8 months now) and have another question. I went to test drive an 04 Red one with red/black leather interior and the leather interior wasn't smooth like in other 8s I see. It had the same design the cloth pattern did, but in leather. The outside, black leather part of the seat had those line patterns the cloth interior 8s do. Then I went to the dealer and they have 8s with smooth leather, 04 and 06 models. So I was just curious as to why the 8 I saw from a private party had patterned leather not the plain smooth leather? (Like the smooth leather a bit more.) Thanks

I've been wondering the same thing...in some pics the leather looks smooth. I thought the only smooth leather was the SAND leather. I definitely like the smooth leather better also.

It was probably aftermarket leather. Did the private party have leather inserts in the doors, like the dealer cars?

I had one of the very first build rx8s. I now have one made about 3 months ago.

Between those two models, the leather has changed dramatically. The new leather is much softer and not as slippery.

I find the leather in my 05 lacking, but hey, its leather, so I cant complain.

But I am pretty sure stock leather still has those patterned sides (front and rear seats alike) for added grip, which I am happy for, since I slide enough in leather as is.

Yeah, he had leather inserts in the door and the steering wheel was two-tone as well. It was definately bought from the dealer. So I'm just curious if they changed the leather in the newer models... But then the thing is I saw an '04 at the dealership and it had smooth leather. I wouldn't mind for the line patterned leather on the outside, if it didn't look and feel so cheap. It feels like soft plastic-ish leather and doesn't look as nice as smooth leather does. So in '04 models was it your option of getting either? Maybe an 8-head ( if that's what you call the extreme rx8 enthusiasts ) can help me out on this one.
(I would pick one from the dealership and not have this problem, but the private party is selling his 8 way below KBB and it's in great condition. Just don't like the seats as much.)

Could it also be the difference between the dealership treating the leather w/ leather conditioner and the private party never detailing the interior, never maintaining the leather?

They changed the leather for 2006 I think. They replaced the ribs on the side with real leather and changed the leather quality.

You might be right, but the only thing with that statement is that at the dealership I saw a used '04 model with the smooth leather the '06s have. Maybe someone can clarify this. And Astral no it wasn't as if the leather wasn't well treated so it became cheap plastic-ish looking, it looked obvoiusly made that way. Hopefully someone with an article from Mazda or somewhere can tell us why or how it changed...

Maybe the dealer replaced the leather in the '04 model?

the 06 model has the smoother leather!
different then all teh previous years!

Well then if you're right, I'll go with kdogs theory that the '04 I saw at the dealer has had the interior seats switched with new '06 RX8 seats to try to sell it. None the less I'll go tomarrow and ask then. :)

I have an '06. They changed the leather starting in 2006. In my opinion, they upgraded the leather. I like it far better than the 05's I was considering.

Yep, definite upgrade in the leather in 06, like mine. :) They also have leather all the way around the seat now instead of the plasticky stuff that starts about halfway around on the sides. I think it made it look classier.

I have an early build and I had my steering wheel replaced due to some cracking. I noticed the difference in the leather right away. The newer steering wheel leather feels thicker and has a different look to it. It looks like it is a higher quality than what was originally on there.

Just wanted to confirm what a few have said already. 06+ models have smoother leather seats...no ribbed patterns found in 05 or previous years. I actually wondered about this myself when i sat in an 06 model RX-8 with leather which was completely different than the 05 leather which had the ribbed pattern. I personally like the smoother leather, gave it a luxurious feel to it more so than the ribbed pattern, i wonder if the ribbed patterns actually hold you in place in leather.....

The Parchment leather seats in the '05 Shinka are smooth (no ribs). Wonder if it's the same as the leather in all the '06's.

Something to look forward to when I upgrade.

I'm thinking about buying the last version of the RX 8, when ever that may be.

Looks like the Supra may be my next car.

Yeah as a lot of you have stated, I also like the '06 leather because it gives it that classy expensive look to it. The rib pattern leather looks cheaper and not as nice. Well thanks for the input and answers to my question. Dang I still think I will get an '04 (since price is a major issue) but maybe down the line when my leather starts to get worse I can upgrade. Thanks again guys. :) :) :)

I have an very early 2004 (May 2003 build).

I believe what you observed is because in the 2004s the seat's bottom and back have ribbed vinyl outer panels (that is they are not all leather) which are the same vinyl outer panels used with the cloth seats.

I was at the dealer two days ago and sat in a 2007 GT and it was great, the seat's bottom and back were all leather (at least the surfaces you sit on) like the seats in the Shinka .... very nice. However, the steering wheel cover was very strange, much rougher than mine. I assume it is a different texture of leather, less prone to scratching than the earlier leather steering wheel cover like mine.

I am not sure when they switched to the nicer leather seats for the GT. Sounds like they did it in the 2006 model year.