Got a question. I have cloth seats as of now. I want to change it to Leather seats I want the stock black. Do I need to replace the stand and wire everything up? How much would this cost anyone knows? front and rear seats and door panels

 

you might as well get custom upholstered leather interior.

 

hey sllygrl10 talk to mazmart (in there forum or call them) they have lots of stock seats...all different colors too

I love the black leather...even though I originally wanted cloth

or get custom...it is up to you

 

it may be easier to get custom leather upholstery--like mine

 

Do a forum search on "Classic Soft Trim". They'll convert you from cloth to leather - several satisfied members including myself.

 

I just picked mine up from a leather upgrade today - Classic Soft Trim. It looks great but I've got to go back because they didn't get the side panels behind the suicide doors.
I think the base is around $1200 for what you want. They pull the old seat covers off and replace them and cover over the side panels. The seating surfaces are leather but the backs and side panels are vinyl, apparently because leather shrinks, vinyl doesn't. If you add perforated leather or contrasting color panels it's about $100 (per option). You can get contrasting stitching also, but I didn't check cost. Logos were $50 per seat pair. I know Classic Soft Trim has the RX-8 logo.
Turn around is a week or a little less from order to install. Install is part of 1 day.
Katzkin is another company that local car dealers use, but I didn't check prices.
http://www.katzkin.com/SITE/HTML/index.html
http://www.classicsofttrim.com/index.html

 

G-ReX -

I had the exact same problem w/ CST, they missed the panels in the back seat. Took them a while to get it straightened out (the shop foreman was on vacation or something) but they got me hooked up a few days ago and my car looks sweet. There's another thread with pics that I started yesterday.

If anyone else ends up going with CST, and you choose a 2-tone look like the stock leather has available, BE SURE to tell them to do the door panels in your contrast color, AND ALSO the 2 "miscellaneous" panels in your contrast color. That will save you a trip back.

 

That helps to know. I was worried this would turn into a "that costs extra" deal.

Here's a pic for Sillygrl10 from the CST site (if I did this right)

 

holy cow that is nice!!

 

Keep the cloth. have driven the 8 for two months got in my other car with leather and my but was slippin and sliding all over!

 

LOL thats funny I guess you're right I should probably get the MS kit first.. OH that nice leather seat by the way ....

 

I just got mine and no such problems. Too much side bolster to go anywhere and the material isn't that slippery. I notice a lot of shiny seat pics on the forum, I guess from some of the cleaners/conditioners; that's got to be slick. The leather totally changes the look of the interior. I was floored with how different it looked. :D

 

Being held securely is more a function of the shape of the seats than the material. I find the RX-8 seats hold you well even with leather. And, the CST leather is not overly slick.

 

I had the grey and black cloth seats in my car when I bought it. I decided to switch to the leather about 3 months after I got it (Everything and it's mother wanted to stick to the cloth) and honestly it looked cheap. I mean why buy a 30,000 car and have the interior look plain? Anyway, to make a long story short. I love the leather and agree that it totally changes the look of the car for the better. The cloth did seem to grip my bum alot better though... Anyway, The leather seats are totally plug and play. Unbolt and unplug the cloth and bolt in and plug in the leather and your good to go. I paid $1050.00 for front and back seats. I did not get the panels so I can't tell you how hard they are to switch. Shipping was about $200.00. OH, and btw. Mazmart wanted 1800.00 plus shipping for black and red leather! THAT WAS WITH NO AIRBAGS... I'm glad I didn't go that route Custom or factory... I guess you have to ask yourself how important power seats are to you?

 

Why you'd be mad to get leather.

Gomez .

 

that's cool and all, BUT I still have my cloth... So if the leather starts to look like crap. I'll put the cloth back in....until then the leather looks better!

 

Indeed. I always thought this too. Makes no sense...