Hey there, first post, so be kind. I'm seriously considering the Shinka because I want a lighter colored leather. IMHO Black just makes the A/C work harder. What I'd like to know from the current Shinka owners is this: How is the leather holding up visually after some "wear and tear"? Does it show marks easily?

I've got kids (which is why I like the 4-door RX-8), but want to know if I'm asking for trouble with the Shinka parchment leather?

 

I've had mine for about 3 weeks... it's holding up fine so far. I have a dog who's never going to see the inside of this car, but... The seats get hot as crap, but oh well... they should just leave the lumbar support out and cut that part OUT of the seat, let your lower back cool off, heh. I like them so far...

 

FWIW I've got White (pure White even) custom leather in my Mazda6 and I've found that it's actually considerably cleaner to keep clean than the Black I did have was. Black just shows dirt, dust, and gets dingy from skin oils WAY faster than the White does.

 

One of the reasons why I got my Shinka was the interior. It's great. I hadn't had any problems so far. Owned mine since May. They do mark up pretty easily.. but just as easy to clean. I use warm soap water and Mcguiars's so far.. seems to work fine for me. There's a thread that talks about a good leather treatment and cleaner. I do decide to get the Shinka, you won't regret it.

 

I'ved always have light colored leather on all the cars I have before. As long as you keep up with the normal cleaning you'll be fine. Now if you are too lazy for it then it might not work well for you. I have a 10 yr old and he knows the first rule riding in my car is buckle up and no feet placed anywhere except the floor.

Mazda used a thick but supple leather in the Shinka so I think it should be ok with a lot of abuse.

 

Mine is great. Same with ANYONE who gets in...no feet anywhere except the floor.

 

Does that work with a hyper 5-yr old boy???

 

Hey! Just looked at your profile. Two from July '64. What a coincidence!

 

My daughter listens well. Otherwise no ride in daddy's Shinka! :D

Happy early birthday. Mine was yesterday.

 

it's cake to clean doghair off leather , try doing it to cloth ( in my civc )

 

I've had mine for a little over 3 months, and the leather is no problem at all. In fact, the black, rubberized material that Mazda used for the dash and the doors is much harder to keep clean of scuffs. This isn't a problem particular to the Shinka, though. Go ahead and get it, and enjoy!

 

you are probably better off buying the car you want...for MUCH cheaper...color u want, etc

then getting leather installed aftermarket

the advantage is you could get a two-tone mix of colors or different materials (u know u want alligator )

in the end you will save a LOT of money since u wont have to pay for some of the silly extras in the Shinka

best scenario is sell your leather seats after you buy them...buy a set of used, cloth seats...then you'll make a few hundred in that transaction...apply it to the new leather

another advantage is you can get even HIGHER quality leather than Mazda's leather (which is actually VERY high quality btw ) and you can get special treatments

hey suede inserts?

 

It's holding up ok. Thank goodness for Zaino's cleaner and conditioner, because even wearing slacks and dress shirts the bloody side bolsters pick up dirt and it does grind in. But clean it up and condition it and it's good as new!

 

...like I said, some good old fashion elbow grease now and then should keep it clean...

 

Had it for about 5 months, no issues with the leather and two kids, one two, the other nine.

 

Ditto on the interior; simple routine wiping down works fine. I much prefer the parchment than the two toners, JMO!

The only time I had two little ones in the back seat was the day I bought it and took my nieces little girls for a drive.

I have absolutely no regrets on my purchase..well, other than it should come with a free pass to occasionally ignore posted speeds!! hee-hee!

 

Month and a 1/2 here. Leather is no problem. I agree with SFShinka, they stupid rubber stuff that's on the lower part of the doors is HARD to keep clean and get the scuffs off.

When my Zaino rubber treatment (for tires) shows up, I'm going to experiment on a small spot on the interior.

Tyler8
2005 6MT Shinka

 

my friend payed some rediculous price when he bought his g35 to have his leather covered with some teflon coating i am sure you could have it done someplace besides a dealership for a couple hundred bucks he has the wheat interior in it and if they cant get a stain out the company just replaces the seat or part that is stained

 

you can't put teflon coating on a leather surface. The intial post talks about a shinka model which only comes with parchment leather.

 

mega bump!

Now that people have had Shinkas for a while, just wanted to know how their parchment is looking. Would you get it again?

 

i've had mine since november. my leather is holding up good its just a little dirty. and yes i would get it again. the main reason i got the shinka package was for the leather/suede seats.

 

Yes, I'd definitely get it again.
I've had mine for a year now (7800 miles) and it stays nice and new looking—I clean it with leather cleaner and conditioner maybe once a month.
I prefer the light colored interior over all black, particularly with the 8's tiny windows.
And, as I mentioned in another thread, the parchment goes really well with the Black Cherry Mica paint—you'll find the same two colors together on the label of Dr. Pepper Black Cherry—I think Cherry Coke, too!

 

Yes. I would. Though my next car will definitely be black/black. I really like black but couldn't pass up the good deal on a BC Shinka. Still glad I didn't.

 

Zaino works wonders! I've only had my shinka for 3 weeks and the only complaint I have is it gets dirty easy but no big. Try not to have food or drinks in the car and you'll be fine.

 

Mine is more than fine after over a year of ownership, would get it again in a heartbeat...