[FarmerFran]

To me the Alcantara is cooler and grips better even on the shifter and wheel.

The only leather I liked was in my RAM that was real leather and you could tell

[GearheadSS]

Better? Not necessarily. It's cooler to the touch so in hot climates that's a plus, especially on the steering wheel and shifter. It will get dirty quicker just because of the oils and dirt on our hands. Sonax Alcantara cleaner is your best friend when it comes to cleaning the steering wheel and shifter.

Some folks will tell you that it doesn't last but that's bullshit. I had 105k miles on my 2015 1LE and the suede steering wheel and shifter still looked great. I just made sure to clean them once a month.

[zaimer]

I think most here have missed the point/intention of alcantara and that is grip. It was made for the track, where you don't want to be sliding around in your seat while flying around the corner. Or lose grip on the wheel because your hands are sweaty. Typically in racing you have gloves on = alcantara wheel was intended for the track = was really intended to be touched with gloves. Same goes for the shift knob.

Then people will argue "well I never take me car to a track nor do I plan to". Whether you like it or not, the ZL1 was born & bred to be on a track, same with the 1LE package for the SS.

Lastly, the leather in most domestic vehicles is "great" until you experience something with VERY nice leather (i.e. Porsche)... then it seems rather garbage imo.

[zaimer]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

Better? Not necessarily. It's cooler to the touch so in hot climates that's a plus, especially on the steering wheel and shifter. It will get dirty quicker just because of the oils and dirt on our hands. Sonax Alcantara cleaner is your best friend when it comes to cleaning the steering wheel and shifter.

Correct. Bare skin on an alcanatara wheel is asinine. Would I expect anyone to wear race gloves on their way to the grocery store? Of course not... but it really goes to show how this poser lifestyles are sold to the consumer. I'm sorry but its no different than someone who buys a 2500 hd and its never seen a ball on the rear, or something who buy offroad X vehicle and it never leaves pavement.

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by zaimer

Correct. Bare skin on an alcanatara wheel is asinine. Would I expect anyone to wear race gloves on their way to the grocery store? Of course not... but it really goes to show how this poser lifestyles are sold to the consumer. I'm sorry but its no different than someone who buys a 2500 hd and its never seen a ball on the rear, or something who buy offroad X vehicle and it never leaves pavement.

Boy you lost me there. I don't see how something that's cooler to the touch is poser. Some people just like the feel of it better also. Poser would someone that buys a Rubicon and then lifts it, puts 22" wheels and rubber band off-road tires on it. That's a poser. Alcantara steering wheel and seats? Nah.

[zaimer]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

Boy you lost me there. I don't see how something that's cooler to the touch is poser. Some people just like the feel of it better also. Poser would someone that buys a Rubicon and then lifts it, puts 22" wheels and rubber band off-road tires on it. That's a poser. Alcantara steering wheel and seats? Nah.

Read my other post. An alcantara wheel was intended to be used on a track (with race gloves). You're not really not supposed to be rubbing skin/oils all over the material.

[FarmerFran]

Moral of the story, do not wear shorts or short sleeve shirts in your ZL1

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by zaimer

I think most here have missed the point/intention of alcantara and that is grip. It was made for the track, where you don't want to be sliding around in your seat while flying around the corner. Or lose grip on the wheel because your hands are sweaty. Typically in racing you have gloves on = alcantara wheel was intended for the track = was really intended to be touched with gloves. Same goes for the shift knob.

Then people will argue "well I never take me car to a track nor do I plan to". Whether you like it or not, the ZL1 was born & bred to be on a track, same with the 1LE package for the SS.

.

This is the reason my wife like the Alcantara more.... in her words "my butt don't slide all over the seat in turns". I agree, you are more planted in the car when the car is truly performing at it's best on the track.

[JT6Speed]

If I bought a 1LE, one of my biggest complaints would have been the Alcantara wheel and shift knob. For touch surfaces I prefer leather all day. Seats on the other hand, it wouldn't be as much of a big deal to me, although I tend to prefer cloth.

[ZED SLED]

Someday I'm going to clean the wheel and seats with the Sonax cleaner I bought 4 years ago

[Whoomba]

That’s pretty much what I thought. I don’t have any experience with it. I have had or have 4 GMs with leather wheels and all but one held up well, even in Texas.

[Anjilslaire]

Originally Posted by zaimer

Read my other post. An alcantara wheel was intended to be used on a track (with race gloves). You're not really not supposed to be rubbing skin/oils all over the material.

Microsoft Surface laptops & tablets have alcantara keyboards. That's inherently bare skin on it all day long.


Just a thought.

[zaimer]

Originally Posted by Anjilslaire

Microsoft Surface laptops & tablets have alcantara keyboards. That's inherently bare skin on it all day long.


Just a thought.

You learned me something today. I had to look it up and that is disgusting.

[22SS1LE]

I like my alcanara for its feel when using it. I do like the leather for longer times between cleaning.
I clean my shifter and wheel every 2weeks so it doesnt get to dirty and thats with pretty limited driving that I do with the car. If I had a leather shifter and wheel. I probably would clean it every other month since its easier to clean and no worries about the fibers getting all matted down