Gidday folks,

About 2 years ago I used to own a TP Magna SE that was in good nick until the radiator clagged up (resulting in weird and quite serious cooling system problems), so I sold it and bought a TH Solara. Trouble is, getting out of a luxury car (as old as it was) and sliding into a newer close-to-base model is a bit, how shall we say ... hard on the arse. :)

So, my feeling is that I'd like to replace the seats (and I guess the whole interior) with a more luxurious model - I'm thinking Altera or cloth Verada (not really a fan of leather in cars for some reason but willing to consider I guess). Only problem is I'm very new to modding cars and really am not comfortable with hacking bits to make them fit, so I need seats that will just drop right in (ie. are manually adjusted, or if they're electric, come with the wiring harnesses etc, but I don't see that happening).

So if you fellas and fella-ettes reckon it's worth it, does anyone know where I can find such items in Adelaide? I haven't tried any wreckers yet (been flat-strap during the day lately), but if anyone knows of a good place to try first, I'll give them a call.

Cheers

Luke.

Have a look at my signature ... if you have ideas on any of it please tell me :D

Gidday folks,

About 2 years ago I used to own a TP Magna SE that was in good nick until the radiator clagged up (resulting in weird and quite serious cooling system problems), so I sold it and bought a TH Solara. Trouble is, getting out of a luxury car (as old as it was) and sliding into a newer close-to-base model is a bit, how shall we say ... hard on the arse. :)

So, my feeling is that I'd like to replace the seats (and I guess the whole interior) with a more luxurious model - I'm thinking Altera or cloth Verada (not really a fan of leather in cars for some reason but willing to consider I guess). Only problem is I'm very new to modding cars and really am not comfortable with hacking bits to make them fit, so I need seats that will just drop right in (ie. are manually adjusted, or if they're electric, come with the wiring harnesses etc, but I don't see that happening).

So if you fellas and fella-ettes reckon it's worth it, does anyone know where I can find such items in Adelaide? I haven't tried any wreckers yet (been flat-strap during the day lately), but if anyone knows of a good place to try first, I'll give them a call.

Cheers

Luke.

For Mitsubishi specialist wreckers, try Mitsi-Bits (lonsdale) or Eddy Wreckers (Edwardstown sorta).

As for dropping them in, if they're non-electric adjusted, then I would say they SHOULD fit right onto the rails that come with your car. Wouldn't see why htey'd bother having a different rail position just for a better finish of seat (with exception of anything elec-adjusted that may need a different setup)

I'm sorry to tell you this but with the third gens the seats are all basically the same - Exec, Advance, Solara, Altera and Verada - the frames and padding are all identical, its only the covering fabric that is different between the various models. (TL/TWs excepted - they are a variation again). If you can find some Sports seats, or those from a VRX, they have slightly firmer foam to them - this I know because I changed my Solara seats to those from a Sports and they are noticeably firmer to sit in. But they only come in Black, which isn't suitable for everyone. But again, the frame and overall shape is still the same...

So unless you want to track down some Ralliart seats (again, black only) - which do have a different shape - your best bet is probably getting a retrim done at a good upholsterer, in conjunction with some custom shaping of the foam padding.

Hmm, might have to find a TH Altera or KH Verada and sit in it to see for myself. :)

It's just that the old SE driver's seat was so much more comfortable than the Solara's, even after 245,000 k's of someone sitting in it! Yeah it was a little flatter than the passenger side (as is the Solara's) but I really noticed the difference and kinda hoped that Mitsubishi was following roughly the same comfort-level protocol with the Gen 3s as they did with the Gen 1s.

I'll check out the wreckers for prices in the meantime, although my server needs an upgrade as well... :confused:

Might look at upholsterers as well, but I fear that might turn out to be a little on the pricey side in comparison. :cry: Sorry Sarras, didn't mean to ignore you there :)

the TH Altera seats are *slightly* different to the standard trims, the have a softer fabric, and maybe a tiny bit more soft padding underneath them. my mate has a TH exec, and said my seats were a fair bit more comfortable. the cushions etc are all the same, just slight fabric/finish differences.

if you want comfortable seats, get something out of a TL/TW. i'm sure the drivers electric couldn't be that hard to wire up, they are much more comfortable. they have way more of a difference in cushion design etc, and even the base model ones feel better than my TH Altera!