Hey gang
Got a used Subaru with tan leather interior, not too high kms but previous owner was clearly rough on the interior. Passenger seat is flawless, drivers seat is not that comfortable and the leather almost worn through in places.
Not many of the Subarus came with the tan leather electric seats, and I'm not sure whether I'd find one at a wrecker or anything, but I also can't determine whether re-upholster would be advisable or affordable. Thoughts?
you will be surprised how much reupholstering costs. it will be heaps cheaper to get a replacement seat if you can find one.
That's why I wanted a rough estimate! I have no idea and can't find any info.
Ring a couple of Subaru wreckers and if you are lucky you may be able to find an original seat in good condition and with the same leather.
Is it possible to swap your drivers/passenger seats around? Let your passengers suffer, it's the Ozbargain way
I did this just even out the wear.
Not if the airbag is within the seat
Aren't the seat controls on the outside facing part of the seat?
I did this with seats in an old corolla (early 90s). Wasn’t an easy switch as the seat bases weren’t the same, then the tilt and slide were on the wrong side which was a bit of a pain, but not so bad if you don’t change them often, like if you are the only driver.
Do some airbags come out of the side of seats?
A worn out seat might also indicate that the low kms used car wasn’t really that low. It’s always been a sign that the speedo doesn’t reflect the true mileage.
As for switching the seats, I really doubt those above have any idea what they are talking about. Maybe in a 1950’s or earlier car, when seat adjusters, or tapering of the seat to suit centre consoles wasn’t done as much, let alone seat belts and airbags
What, you think it has more kms than the odometer says? I did just have to replace the clutch at 140xxxkm which seemed early to me…
And yeah you're right, no seat airbags but the electric controls and seatbelt are highly unlikely to match up. Also I sit in the passenger seat pretty frequently so no thanks haha.
This is not true for the mileage.
For instance, a car with 150,000kms that is well looked after and garaged may show less wear and tear than a car with 50,000kms that sits out in the sun and isn’t cared for as much. A car seat may also show less wear and tear if it is used mainly on long drives as opposed to many many short drives where people are getting in and out of the seats a lot
Not according to Homer Simpson's couch.
Of course you are right, except this car has done only 140K, my brother ran a fleet of these for a private hospital, the seats dont quit after 140K, even in cheap cars let alone top of the range even used daily by different drivers. 250-300K yes, multiple drivers you see wear.
I guess we would have to also know the age of the car.
And while its not definitely going to mean its mileage was wound back, it is a red flag the OP should be aware of.
It's a 2007. I wouldn't have thought the seat would be dusted by 140k… to be fair structurally it's okay, perhaps not quite as good as new, but the leather is certainly on its way out, I'm worried I'll rip it open completely one day.
Just get a set of cheap seat covers from eBay.
That won't make it more comfortable or fix the seat tho… And cheap seat covers are really gross.
Get a replacement
Try some Subaru clubs in your City, also Subaru wreckers.
Also checkout gumtree and facebook market place. Search with "wrecking Subaru <model> <year>"
And eBay.
seat cover + cushion pillow
or
bride racing seat