When buying a new car, you may wonder what interior is the best fit for your life: leather or cloth. Both fabrics have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two mostly depends on personal preference. However, there are some factors you should keep in mind when walking around the car dealership.
Read on to learn more about which interior fits your situation the best…
Cloth
Cloth is usually offered in lower trim packages. So if you want as few bells and whistles as possible, you should probably stick with cloth. If you have young kids or a messy lifestyle, consider buying durable covers for your seats to protect against stains, spills and accidents.
The trouble with cloth is that it stains and holds odors like cigarette smoke. A smoky smell can lower a car’s resale value. The plus side about cloth is that it is soft and cozy, regardless of the weather. It doesn’t burn your legs in the summer or freeze your bum in chilly temperatures. If you’re eco-conscious, cloth might make you feel like you’re consuming fewer resources.
Cloth is a good option if you:
- Want seats that are comfortable in all weather conditions
- Like plush interiors
- Are on a tight budget
Avoid cloth if you:
- Are concerned about smells sticking around
- Want the highest resale value
- Want the other advantages associated with higher trim packages
Leather
Leather is often synonymous with luxury, but it’s also very practical. Leather doesn’t stain like cloth does, cleans more easily, and it doesn’t hold odors like cloth. That being said, leather is a good option if you’re buying a farm truck or if you’ve got young kids. The disadvantage is that leather can be hot in the summer, and cold in the winter if you don’t have seat warmers.
Leather also usually only comes on higher-level trim packages, putting it out of your budget. If you’re set on leather though, you could consider buying a model of your car from the past few previous years, which will lower the cost. While it’s an upfront expense, it can also raise the resale value of your car.
Leather is a good option if you:
- Have young kids
- Have a messy job or life
- Like the luxury associated with leather
Stay away from leather if you:
- Park your car outside and don’t like the temperature variability of leather
- Don’t want the higher trim package, or can’t afford it
- Don’t think you will remember to maintenance the leather to keep it in good shape
Ultimately, deciding between leather and cloth depends on how much money you have to spend and what kind of surface you prefer – to sit on and to clean. If you’re set on a certain car and it doesn’t have your desired interior, remember that they make seat covers in most every kind of fabric you could imagine.
Leather or cloth, we’ve got you covered at Bryant Auto. Our wide selection of new and used Jeeps, Chrysler and Dodge models offer something for everyone. If you’re in the Sedalia or Jefferson City area, come see us today!
