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The front bucket seats in our 2008 Subaru outback feel like they are breaking down. Both my husband and I have back aches after riding in the car. Mileage is around 160K. Are the seats deteriorating? What to do? (can't afford a new car).
You can get yours rebolstered/reupholstered at an auto upholstery shop, or
consider finding good used ones at a wrecking yard. They will install on the same track mounting points as yours.
If your car is one of the lower spec'd models, try to find seats from a higher level model. I did this on a 1996 Subie Wagon and was pleasantly surprised to find that the upline seating was much more supportive/comfortable with a more durable upholstery.
Depends on the car. I've sat in seats that were 20+ years old and the seats were still firm and supportive. I've also sat in some cars that were just 3-4 years old and the seat cushions were already flat and worn.
Cheaper cars have cheap seats, higher end model cars have seats that tend to last quite a bit longer. And of course, if the passengers weigh 300 lbs vs 150-200 lbs, that's going to put a lot more wear on them too.
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That depends more on mileage than years, and the size/weight of the driver/passengers, and how they get in. Small cars are more often going to wear from "falling" into them especially with many short trips as opposed to fewer but longer trips. I have never worn one out but then never kept one more than about 150k miles except by current 3rd car beater, and the seat is starting to feel a little hard at 170k.
Lear corp. and Johnson Controlls are 2 of the biggest seat makers for the auto industry. Just thought you would like to know. When JC went in strike in Plymouth Mi. Ford went in there and tool all of their equipment out they were making sets for the Expedition and Navigator. Same suv different trim made on the same line. All the seat is is steel fabric and foam rubber, and springs.
You can get yours rebolstered/reupholstered at an auto upholstery shop, or
consider finding good used ones at a wrecking yard. They will install on the same track mounting points as yours.
If your car is one of the lower spec'd models, try to find seats from a higher level model. I did this on a 1996 Subie Wagon and was pleasantly surprised to find that the upline seating was much more supportive/comfortable with a more durable upholstery.
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Wrecking yard, eh? Good idea, thanks. Our Subaru is a high level model so it seems the seats should have lasted longer but after 160K miles over NM's poorly maintained roads that's a lot to expect.
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Wrecking yard, eh? Good idea, thanks. Our Subaru is a high level model so it seems the seats should have lasted longer but after 160K miles over NM's poorly maintained roads that's a lot to expect.
car-part site search for NM shows a fair number of seats for your car in the Albuquerque area ... including the top of the line Limited leather seats or cloth seats with the airbags and electric controls. $140-160.
Best to call the yards, find out if they have what you are seeking, and then go take a look ... sit in the seat, verify it's an improvement for your car.
a wider search shows a lot of seats available in the region, so if there's places more convenient for you to visit, at least you've got a lot of options.
fortunately, this isn't something that keeps your car from being driveable. If the seats you find now aren't suitable for your purpose, wait another month or so and check the inventory. It changes very quickly.
160,000 miles in 6 years is a lot of use but I agree I would think the seats should hold up longer than that.
Are you sure it's a problem with the seats and not just the fact that you and your husband are also 6 years older?
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