Interior Styling

[nsj]

I love the Toledo, but my one gripe is the interior styling.

In looks, market and style it is a similar car to the Alfa 156 (no swearing please) but look at the inside of a 156 compared to the Toledo. It seems light and stylish with leather geak knob, brushed alloy or carbon fibre consoles and large trimmed door panels. The Toledo on the other hand is dark with acres of black and grey plastic, black carpet and one upholsytry design only. Even the Alfa 1.6 Lusso (only one up the 156 range) has full Momo leather in a whole range of colours, deep pile grey carpets and less utilitarion looking ICE.

Full leather etc is not standard on any Toledo and the cost of these things as options, is always way over the top. Even the Skoda Octavia has versions with full leather and some 'signature' editions.

Anyway, in between two Toledo's I did have an Alfa 166 for a while but could not live with the relaibility and other niggles. Nicely styled cars but poorly engineered. The Toledo on the other hand is well engineered but it could have some better interior styling.

My heart sank when I saw the interiot of the new Ibiza, they have done it again with the black plastic.

Perhaps, this is done to prevent competition with VW and Skoda cars.

So now I have gone back to a Toledo but I am heavily customising it including glass sunroof, dash and console inserts, new gearknob, gater and upgraded ICE. I am also getting a quote for a 3rd party leather retrofit.

Then I should have the Toledo, it should always have been.

:mad:

[prc]

Really don't like installing aftermarket sunroofs. I've had some pretty bad experiences with them before.
I do agree with you that the interior is pretty boring. I've done the center console (be careful as the Al type trim offered at Seat isn't that nice) and ICE'd it (pics around here somewhere). I'm waiting for the 6spd knob from VW.
My car came with grey leather interior (+ part of the doors), but I'm thinking of getting the full doors done.

[Stubill]

Full leather etc is not standard on any Toledo

Technically the V5 is full leather as standard, just the bit you sit and lean on is a different type of leather to the shiny stuff.

I do really like the V5 interior, apart from one thing, the door pockets they nicked from a Nissan Micra - Fugly. Guess they are common across the range.

Probably just my personal taste or maybe the fact that the gadgets in the V5 mean less expanse of plastic.

[prc]

Originally posted by Stubill
Technically the V5 is full leather as standard, just the bit you sit and lean on is a different type of leather to the shiny stuff.

I do really like the V5 interior, apart from one thing, the door pockets they nicked from a Nissan Micra - Fugly. Guess they are common across the range.

Probably just my personal taste or maybe the fact that the gadgets in the V5 mean less expanse of plastic.

Stu, I did see one Leon with the door pockets done in leather. It did look great. I'm actually trying to find someone who does the same thing.

[nsj]

I'd be interested in any one who knows a company who does re-trimming that is any good. So far I have contacted 3 companies by email and none have bothered to get back to me without being chased up. Doesn't fill me with confidence.

[edc]

MJ Interiors, Cobra do it too for seats and cards, or most local upholsterers will do your seats and rear bench.