[Rosin]

In general, I'm pretty happy with my Elantra Touring. However, I do really like leather. I have this a weird idea, and I'm not sure how feasible it is. Someday, in the future, when I have time and money, I want to buy a donor car, something with a bad engine but a nice interior. I want to take the leather seats, steering wheel, shift knob, and any other fancy interior bits that catch my eye and put them in my car. Maybe the wheels and door handles too. Then, when I'm done picking over it, I'd sell what's left of the donor car. Does this sound like something that can be done? If so, what would be a good donor car?

[Dazzler]

Hi Rosin and

Nice idea, but probably not as easy as it sounds. Obviously the most likely compatible fit would be a higher model version of your existing car but suspect the chances of coming across one with good interior and poor mechanicals would be very slim. Because the seats contain airbags you would need to ensure the seats out of anything else not only had the same mounting points but also compatible connectors etc..

[Dazzler]

It's not all bad news though. If it were me I would try and search the net for leather seat covers, leather steering wheel covers and leather gear nob etc... There is some surprisingly affordable stuff available out of China and other Asian countries. 

By all means check your local wreckers yards for compatible Hyundais, but I would be very surprised if you found one.

[Rosin]

Thank y'all for the input. By the time I have this car paid off, it will probably make more sense for me to buy a nice used Volvo. Nobody really thinks about Volvo, so used ones tend to be really cheap, especially when you consider that they're Swedish luxury cars with a good reputation for safety and reliability.

[The Gonz]

Depends, Rosin. You might take on a labour of love and gradually re-upholster a spare set of car seats in leather and then swap them out. That'd be something more original and distinctive than getting a Volvo.

LEATHER UPHOLSTERY- A Bucket-Seat From Scratch - YouTube

[Doggie 1]

Your "taste" worries me sometimes, Gonz.   
@Rosin I had the interior in my original FD i30 re-trimmed in leather and never regretted it.
If you search the gallery you'll find some pics.

[The Gonz]

Your "taste" worries me sometimes, Gonz.   

It was a random Google instructable hit!

Critics everywhere 

[Doggie 1]

 

[The Gonz]

This won't be earth-shattering news but for those with relatively low tech cars, old smartphones and tablets are getting a new lease on life. I'd previously mentioned Maps.Me as a great free app giving spoken navigation and a host of other features we expect from dedicated GPS devices. Well even my dedicated GPS with lifetime updates still needs to use a PC via USB to get them, while my throwaway phone gets the free app updated via wifi. With a cheap tablet, you've the same thing, just as free, just as offline, only big enough to rival dedicated 2DIN systems.

So just a random piece of advice for low tech drivers: let's have a chat before you throw away your phone or tablet.

Or send them to me.

Thank y'all for the input. By the time I have this car paid off, it will probably make more sense for me to buy a nice used Volvo. Nobody really thinks about Volvo, so used ones tend to be really cheap, especially when you consider that they're Swedish luxury cars with a good reputation for safety and reliability.

Volvo haven't been  Swedish for almost 20 years now, it was bought out by Ford in 1999 and then sold again to a Chinese company in 2010.

[Phil №❶]

Goodness Subst (fu**)I didn't know that. 

[The Gonz]

It's hard to keep up about who owns what with share takeovers going on all the time. Today I heard Bega bought Vegemite!

[barryden]

Going to a local upholstery shop can be a cheaper option that buying online.

[CraigB]

Going to a local upholstery shop can be a cheaper option that buying online.

I doubt that, upholsterers charge like wounded bulls and more than likely several hundred more than something like these  MOBIS Factory Leather Seat Cover Set - Shark Racing