vinyl is easier to clean and maintain than cloth (archive)

I have a dog and someday will have kids, I like to do outdoor activities and sometimes carry not-so-clean items on the seats. My previous Integra had cloth seats and was difficult to keep clean, it collected dust and dog fur, spilt drinks don't exactly wipe off as easily as vinyl or leather. And the thought of people's sunblock creamed or sweaty legs and arms or dandered/moussed/gelled/gerrycurled hair rubbing onto my cloth seats is gross. Yes, vinyl seats *may* be regarded as lower than cloth but it is very easy to clean and maintain. No need for special cleaners and conditioners, just water and maybe soap.

Now I completely understand if someone doesn't want to buy leather and wants cloth instead. But to actually prefer vinyl (leatherette as you like to call it) over cloth just boggles my mind.

The last time I owned a car with vinyl seats was in high school. It was the bottom of the line Nissan Sentra that I bought from a junk yard for $2,000 plus $175 for a replacement fender that my cousin put on for free. At that price, I was willing to accept vinyl. But in college I eventually moved up to a $3,500 Mazda 626 that not only had cloth seats but it also had power windows.

It's amazing how BMW can sell a $35,000 car with vinyl seats by simply giving vinyl a fancy name. Their marketing guys deserve an award.

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