Interior Modifications

[dakota-driver]

As someone whose looking to possibly buy a used insight, I ahve some questions...

Im really into the Insight; I've pretty much got it set.
But the only part to the car thats making me cringe is the interior. I've looked and browsed through websites that sell and do interior work (for example, carpeting or dashboards, etc.) and am not finding the Insight to ever be a choice. Its like its forgotten; just the low production numbers Ive assumed.

So, if I am to get an insight, am I going to be able to give the interior a new look? And if I can, how? Should I base the parts I get off of another car?

And one last concern. Im in North Dakota, and two grave worries I have are the winds (article after article Ive read has said my states the 'Saudi Arabia of Wind') and the winter. How does thew insight do during the winter? Would I have to consider snow tires? And the insights lightness shouldn't be that big of a problem when it comes to wind, right?

[Aaron Cake]

You can take the car to any custom interior shop and get the work done. However interior work is never cheap...For example, just getting the seats in my RX-7 done is costing about $900 per seat.

Most aftermarket interior parts seem random and tacked-on anyway.

[merigayle]

I think the Wet Okole seats helped a lot.

Overall, i did not buy my car for the interior. I think the Inisght is really basic in it's offerings on the inside, not the type of car for people who like a lot of bling bling in their car. what do you not like? The color? The dash?

A lot of people here have added different things to their cars like stereos, speakers, rear view monitors, etc. you may find some good ideas scrolling thru the pages.

[Rick]

Katzkin has a pattern for a leather interior. I think the two covers plus vinyl door panel pieces will run you in the $600 neighborhood, plus installation from a local interior shop.

[foxfire235]

Originally Posted by dakota-driver

And the insights lightness shouldn't be that big of a problem when it comes to wind, right?

The insight does have the best aerodynamic design, but since the car has less mass, this means there is less force to push through the wind. In my experience, it still gets pushed around by strong winds. I noticed a mileage drop as well when I drive home in headwinds.

[Insightful Trekker]

Originally Posted by foxfire235

..., but since the car has less mass, this means there is less force to push through the wind.

Don't mean to nit pick here but the more correct term is inertia. Mass * velocity. Basically theres less energy in a lighter mass at the same speed which means its more reactive to other forces.

HTH!

[RobMason]

I had my local auto upholstery guy who has a great deal of experience, order the Katzkin leather seat covers for my '04. He added some lumbar padding for support, and built up the seat base before putting on the covers. Now I don't have to put in my seat insert for my back and don't feel like I am sitting on the floor of the vehicle. Cost of the covers (the faces are leather, the side panels are vinyl, but exactly the same texture and look with black seams and side pockets in the back) was around $600 plus installation, and modifying for $500; total of $1100. They look and feel beautiful. Not as "grippy" as the cloth (easier to get in and out of but also not as cool in summer or warm in winter), but they are beautiful. The color that is the ideal match is "Puddy". I could have done some pattern mods but I decided to go with one solid color, with contrasting seams.

[RobMason]

Picture of my seat covers from Katzkin in "Puddy" color, black stitiching and with foam added for lumbar support and for seat bottom raising the seatheight

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q217 ... ght003.jpg

[RobMason]

Close up of Black stitching
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q217 ... ght008.jpg

[Rick]

I like it. I can tell from the picture that he really did build up the foam quite a bit.