Howdy,

I currently own a 2003 I35, but have liked the G for a long time. I'm finally serious about getting one and have a question I'm hoping y'all can answer.

I'm looking at a 2003 G35 w/ 34k, xenon, moonroof, heated seats, etc. However, it has cloth interior. I want leather, so the dealership said that they will reupholster the cloth with leather.

Has anyone done this before? Does it make sense? What about side airbags?

Right now my list of G's looks like this:
2003 - BLK 48k $17,900 leather + premium pack
2003 - BLK 34k $17,900 cloth + premium pack
2003 - SLVR 38k $ 17,999 leather + premium pack

I'd like to stick with black, but am open to silver. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? (Both of the leather issue and pricing)

Thanks!

 

Hmmm...tough decsion. I personally have had dealers try to sell me a new car with cloth interior and install leather. I never went for it because I think getting the factory installed leather will usually fit the seats better (less wrinkles, better shape of the leather, etc.). It really depends on how picky you are. But then again, since you are getting a used car, you will be basically be getting new leather seats instead of worn out ones.

The other question you should ask them is if they are going to reupholster the door panels. I'm assuming the current ones are cloth and it wouldn't look right with leather seats.

As for the airbag question, that's a good point. If the leather seat covers aren't designed for side airbags it might be a problem. I think the covers have to be specially designed so the airbag always comes out at the right place.

If it was me I would wait to find a factory leather car, there are plenty of them around. Unless this dealer is offering you a really good deal, but it doesn't look like it since they are asking the same for a non-leather car as the other dealers are for leather.

 

If it has cloth, it's a base/base model. Just getting leather won't give you the rest of the options that a leather equipped G would have.

 

Thanks for the responses.

One thing I've been having a tough time with is comparing apples to apples when it comes to options/features. It seems like there are endless combinations.

 

just wait till the have the one YOU want

 

look for 2004 model - too many improvements not to consider it.

 

It is quite common. My 2003 was in the body shop last year for some bumper work. The advisor handed me the description of my G35 based upon the VIN number. After looking at it, I told him that my car was the leather model, yet the description showed cloth interior. He said that many dealerships swap the cloth for leather at the dealership.

 

Absolutely agree with this and the fact that you shouldn't settle...the price difference would probably be minimal...the benefits would be worth the small price bump. Make sure you get the premium package at the minimum (rear reclining seats, HID, all auto roll up/down windows, etc...).

 

If it has cloth, then it's the base model. That means no Xenon, no heated seats, no power seats, no moonroof, 16" wheels, base suspension. A friend of mine ordered his black base model G35 back in 02 and he told me there were no available options for that particular model. Make sure the car has all the options listed because from what I know, none of the options you listed were available in that model.

 

Interesting. It sounds like I may have to consider the '04. I have only placed phone calls to dealerships (they're about 60 miles away) and it doesn't sound like I'm getting the whole story....

Thanks for the help.

 

Yes...be wary of phone call inquiries to sales guys. Often they say "yes" to your questions just to get you there...once you're there they do the "bait and switch". Just search here to find all your answers about packages and such...good luck on your purchase.

 

they should be able to order the factory leather and do a swap that way...ive had my leather replaced before by the dealer

 

Wait and find the one you want.

I have never seen an cloth interior G with all the other options. Those typically don't have a moon roof or heated seats. Interesting, someone must have ordered it that way.

 

Every clothed G35 I saw (when I was shopping) were all stripped bare boned models. Rental G35s put these to shame in terms of options.

 

I believe that as of the 03.5 model there were no cloth seats, only leather...HID was standard....and for the radio functions the separate am & fm buttons were combined to am/fm and a separate satelite button....besides the trunk change.

Not 100% sure but I'm sure someone will confirm. I have the premium in my 03.5 and the one touch windows are great.