Interested in hearing from those with the Leather package and Meridian edition to see if you think it is worth the $1700 invoice cost. I'm looking at two new '03 SE's and am trying to decide whether to get the packages or not (both have the Titanium edition).

I know that everything is basically a personal preference, but would you get those packages again if you were to do it over? Or would you just save the money and get cloth.

Finally, any pros/cons on the black (charcoal) leather vs. the frost (gray) leather? Thanks--

 

I had no choice but I am happy my max has these (both)..

If I were you and you had a choice, I'd save the money and buy a two-tone katzkin kit instead.. it'll save you at least $700 and will be a lot nicer imho than the stock leather..

the meridian kit is "ok", I never really use it.. my wife likes the heated seats though

Kevin

 

I would do it again. I have a black max with meridian package. I am happy that I went with the frost leather and not the black. I guess it depends where you live too as far as the black seats getting too warm. The leather interior is just too nice. I can't imagine my car without it and in the winter those seat warmers are sweeeeeet. I added a dash kit from woodtrim.com and wow!

 

I'm happy with the leather. Make sure youtake care of it though, it'll look like crap if you don't. All you have to do is get some meguires preservative and wipe it on and your all done. . It's easier than you think.

 

The Meridian package is awesome. I never thought I would love a heated steering wheel so much but now I find I can't live without it.

 

Leather and Meridian are awesome. You'll find that the heated steering wheel in the winter is one of the most handy features of the car... plus, all of your friends will be jealous. The leather on the 2k2/2k3 just looks very nice... and it makes the car look that much classier. Get it. No question.

 

It just depends on where you live.

Don't get Meridan if you live down south. I got mine while I lived in VA, and its really not worth it now that im in Charleston.

As for the leather color. Ive got Frost, and have 46,000 miles. It has held up well. I think it "wears" better than the black. I have seen some black and when it gets "worn" it really shows it more than the lighter colors.

 

I live in Southern Cali, but I love my Frost leather and my Meridian. It rarely gets cold here, but I have used it a few times, and loved it !

 

I think it is worth it. But then again, I live up in MA.

As far as the leather goes, I have the black(charcoal) leather interior. The only time that I regret that decision is in the summer.

 

I have the Titanium with cloth and love it would not change for leather EVER!!!!

As far as meridian goes, IMO the best way to go would be to get cloth with meridian and titanium but I think thats quite rare, even though it is made!

 

Here, here!!! For that brief period every year that it gets 'cold' here in Houston, heated seats are very nice and the ladies love 'em.

A side benefit is if you work out a little heavy or for whatever reason have a sore lower back, just about anytime of the year it is nice to have the heat work on the area while driving.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself. The heated seats are nice but I think the heated steering wheel is probably the best creature feature.

 

 

 

Are you sure you can get the heated package (meridian) with cloth? Or is meridian just the steering wheel. I forgot.

 

yes..meridian consists of heated steering wheel, seats and someother option..I forget but its available with cloth...prob quite rare though

 

I live in Dallas and the 3 times it gets cold I love the heated seat and wheel. I basically got it as a free option though. I had 2 dealers with the same car. One with the Meridian and one without. I kept doing the price match thing and got the one with for the same price. :-D

 

My 2000 don't have heated steering wheel. But I do have heated seats .

 

You don't know what you are missing. I am a big guy so my **** doesn't need heating, but I like my hands toasty. The wheel heater is the best part.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback. It definitely looks like those who got the Leather and Meridian are glad they did.

I was a little apprehensive about the darkness of the black (charcoal) leather, but I don't think it looks as dark as some black leather I've seen on other cars. And I don't really think I have to worry about the issue of it on hot sunny days given that summer usually lasts a whopping 5 days up here in God's country.