Cafe Latte leather vs. Charcoal Leather - Nissan Murano

MichaelMurano · 12-14-2004, 07:31 PM

I'm shopping for a new Murano. Having a hard time finding one that matches my specs with a charcoal leather interior. Searching the stock of dealerships within a 100 mile radius shows about 75% of MOs have cafe latte. The latte looks very classy but I'm concerned about it showing dirt, etc. My wife just bought an 04 Honda Accord and her tan seats, both driver and passenger, are turning dark as though the clothing color is coming off on them. I don't want the same with the MO and I don't have time to treat my leather every week. Somewhere else on this forum someone commented that their black belts are staining the latte. Can anyone share their experiences and how the cafe latte has held up? While very classy looking, it's a light color and just looking at the steering wheel makes it get dirty. I'm thinking I have to go with charcoal ???

GripperDon · 12-14-2004, 07:35 PM

Light is lovely, IMHO hard to keep clean, I have had White(believe it or not), Glove butter, Dove Grey, Black and Charchol. Also ranked in order of ease of maintenance.

bowserdog1 · 12-15-2004, 12:32 PM

I have Latte with 7000 miles and love it. I haven't treated the leather yet and it still looks clean. I owned a Saturn with light tan leather for 10 years and it always looked clean, even with a large drooling dog. My VW has tan seats and is 13 years old and they still look clean. I think as long as you clean them once a year or so and treat them every two years, there should be no problem.

**Eric L.** · 12-15-2004, 01:02 PM

When I visited my Nissan dealership, I found the cafe latte leather to be less luxurious looking than the charcoal. However, what turned me off was not the leather, but the cheap beige dash color of the latte interior. Not fitting for a $30k+ vehicle, IMHO.

NVMYGT · 12-15-2004, 01:30 PM

Personally, I'm a fan of the black interior. However at a car show I sat in the Caffe Latte interior and thought it was pretty nice. However my entire family objected stating the same comment about the dash and the cheap look of it. It's all a matter of taste. I like black; it looks amazing when it's spotless. I was taking some friends to a wedding once and the one girl got in and called her parents over to show them the limo like interior.

hfelknor · 12-15-2004, 02:05 PM

I've been a member of a lot of car forums,
Miata and Corvette most notably.

This is the only one where people continually refer to my choice of interior as Cheap.
Obviously I don't agree and if I said that this kind of bashing didn't bother me, I would be lying.

Homer

**Eric L.** · 12-15-2004, 02:15 PM

Its not so much the color of the interior that I find unfitting for a near luxury SUV, its the quality of the hard plastic on the top of the dash - nissan could have at least put some soft touch material there. Neither Toyota nor Honda uses that kind of hard plastic on the dash top. Unyielding hard plastic also contributes to the rattles many Murano owners experience. I found the beige dash of the Highlander to be of higher quality (in my opinion) than the Murano.

I do not consider opinion to be bashing, its just opinion. For example, some people here HATE Hondas. I for one think they are well engineered vehicles.

I had chosen midnight blue as the exterior color of my Murano, I thougth charcoal interior was a much better match for the color (as well as being a rarer combination).

NVMYGT · 12-15-2004, 03:44 PM

Homer,
I agree with Eric L. and his statement 100%. Perhaps some think black does a better job of concealing nissans choice in materials.

I also have to state that if you were to tell me that you didnt like black and thought it looked cheap I would not be offended. It's the color of the interior...nothing major. I've read several car magazines that gave the MO lower ratings on interior comparisons because of the 'cheap interior look and feel'. However, I could not care less. I think it's pretty sweet regardless of color.

Don't take it so personally buddy. What good would a this vs. that thread if everyone agreed?

rugiles · 12-15-2004, 04:37 PM

I agree with Homer

As a owner of the Latte Leather interior I feel we (latte owners) are looked down upon because we purchased, in some opinion, the cheap looking interior. I bought the latte because when I rode in a Black MO, with the Charcol interior, I felt like I was in a cave. I was also worried about the extra heat in inside the cabin from all the dark material being in a sunny state. I live in So. Ca. The latte as held up very well over the past year. I take a few friends Mt biking in it weekly. We get sweaty and dirty and you can hardly tell anyone but me has been in the vehicle. I also take clients out to lunch regulary and everyone comments on how clean and nice it looks. My only concern is my previously mentioned color transfer from my black leather belts. I have not tried Grippers suggestion yet. I will follow up with my results.

**zebelkhan** · 12-15-2004, 05:10 PM

I have tan interior and I love it. That color was by choice because I thought it made the interior look bigger and better (just my opinion) but I do have to agree that the dash plastic pieces easily show all imperfections and do look very cheap. Not only plastic is hard and "Saturn" looking, but in certain lights, I see imperfections that look like little bubles (over right airbag area). I have read in the forum that others have also had that problem. Not that the same thing is not in a black dash, but the black color certainly helps to conceal the imperfections.

Ohio Murano · 12-15-2004, 07:15 PM

I just bought mine last Saturday and believe it or not the closest dealer to me had one just like I wanted but it had the charcoal interier and I liked the Cafe Latte so much better I drove an extra hour to a dealer that had the same exact MO but with the Cafe Latte interier. Thay also knocked an extra $30 off for my drive. Either way I'm sure you'll be happy.

GripperDon · 12-15-2004, 07:35 PM

Thats why both Blonds and Brunettes are popular.

NVMYGT · 12-15-2004, 10:00 PM

Well said Grip...no word from the Redheads though!

GripperDon · 12-15-2004, 11:30 PM

WO WO

12-14-2004, 07:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
MichaelMurano Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 120	Cafe Latte leather vs. Charcoal Leather I'm shopping for a new Murano. Having a hard time finding one that matches my specs with a charcoal leather interior. Searching the stock of dealerships within a 100 mile radius shows about 75% of MOs have cafe latte. The latte looks very classy but I'm concerned about it showing dirt, etc. My wife just bought an 04 Honda Accord and her tan seats, both driver and passenger, are turning dark as though the clothing color is coming off on them. I don't want the same with the MO and I don't have time to treat my leather every week. Somewhere else on this forum someone commented that their black belts are staining the latte. Can anyone share their experiences and how the cafe latte has held up? While very classy looking, it's a light color and just looking at the steering wheel makes it get dirty. I'm thinking I have to go with charcoal ???

12-14-2004, 07:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
GripperDon Mr. 3 K, 3/3/5. 5K,10/5/7 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: PB5-926 Posts: 5,077	Light is lovely, IMHO hard to keep clean, I have had White(believe it or not), Glove butter, Dove Grey, Black and Charchol. Also ranked in order of ease of maintenance. __________________ Previous Owner of, The Mod Mo, 05, SL, FWD, Platinum, Charcoal Leather, Touring, Technology Pkgs., TPMS etc. Chrome Wheels, Roof Rack Bbars. Cargo Protector. Extended Warranty, X-Tire, AutoMate. Leatherique treated leather. Diamond Window Tint, Tires 3 step balanced. Stainless Steel Laser Cut Grill. Glass VIN etch, Debadged. Silver Painted Calipers. 1300F Ceramic painted Muffler. B-Quite Supreme, sound matting. External Sound ndercoated. White Led Parking Lights. Led Front Door Entrance Lights. Yellow Ion Fogs. Silver-Amber Front Turn Signals. Hella 100 Watt @ 5000K Driving Lights. SAT receiver–Delphi XM Roady2 Hidden Antenna install. Fan cooled Inverter AC to Xbox. MTX 200 watt auto on Amp deciated power to Bose Sub Woofer. PAC-Niss dual aux in for Sat and X Box audio. Generator Labs NoNag modded Rear Camera. “NAV Box" W/Modded X Box X2 Chip. DVD’s, MP3 & JPEG pics ,160 gig HD / Wireless Lynksis 802.11G Ethernet link. Runs Xbox Media Center. rear Bumper Protector. Selectable Horns: OEM MO/WoLo air. Tinted Tails-Bright bulbs. Tweeters tilted + 19uf mod. Lower Grill Stone Shield. Front Floor Amber Courtesy Lights. Chrome over Stainless Rocker Bars. Wireless LED Turn Signal Mirrors. Top mounted Led Stop Light modded with The backoff.

12-15-2004, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
bowserdog1 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 26	I have Latte with 7000 miles and love it. I haven't treated the leather yet and it still looks clean. I owned a Saturn with light tan leather for 10 years and it always looked clean, even with a large drooling dog. My VW has tan seats and is 13 years old and they still look clean. I think as long as you clean them once a year or so and treat them every two years, there should be no problem. __________________ '04 Midnight Blue Mo' All but NAV and SAT

12-15-2004, 01:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Eric L. Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 8,199	When I visited my Nissan dealership, I found the cafe latte leather to be less luxurious looking than the charcoal. However, what turned me off was not the leather, but the cheap beige dash color of the latte interior. Not fitting for a $30k+ vehicle, IMHO. __________________ 2003 Midnight Blue SE AWD w/VDC Colgan Bra, Mobil One, JWT POP charger PAC aux input adapter, hardwired Escort Passport x50, KUDA mount for MP3 player, Porterfield R4S brake pads (now Akebono ProACT), ATE Superblue Yokohama Envigor (much improved over stock Goodyears) Lots of squeaks and rattles.

12-15-2004, 01:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
NVMYGT NO-MO-SNOW Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 902	Personally, I'm a fan of the black interior. However at a car show I sat in the Caffe Latte interior and thought it was pretty nice. However my entire family objected stating the same comment about the dash and the cheap look of it. It's all a matter of taste. I like black; it looks amazing when it's spotless. I was taking some friends to a wedding once and the one girl got in and called her parents over to show them the limo like interior. __________________ <B>2004 Mazda RX-8</B> Grand Touring Package and Navigation Previous Car: <b>2003 Sunlight Copper Nissan Murano SL</b> NAV, 10000K HIDs, OEM Pushbar, LED interior lights

12-15-2004, 02:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
hfelknor Super Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 3,281	I've been a member of a lot of car forums, Miata and Corvette most notably. This is the only one where people continually refer to my choice of interior as Cheap. Obviously I don't agree and if I said that this kind of bashing didn't bother me, I would be lying. Homer __________________ 2001 Jaguar XJ8 Cruiser 2004 ThunderBird 2 passenger Runabout HAD The GOLD RUSH until Nov 6 2009 2003 Gold SLFWD with Premium, Sunroof, Latte Leather, Ultrashield Invisible Bra, Sunroof wind deflector, Aluminum Tank Guard, Chrome Wheels by Ion Alloy, Michelin 235/65-18 Cross Terrains, Garmin Nuvi 2008 Cadillac Gold Mist DTS LUX III - Gone! 2010 Mercedes Benz GLK 350 - Gone! "Didja ever notice that quiet people are not the only ones who don't say much?"

12-15-2004, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eric L. Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 8,199	Its not so much the color of the interior that I find unfitting for a near luxury SUV, its the quality of the hard plastic on the top of the dash - nissan could have at least put some soft touch material there. Neither Toyota nor Honda uses that kind of hard plastic on the dash top. Unyielding hard plastic also contributes to the rattles many Murano owners experience. I found the beige dash of the Highlander to be of higher quality (in my opinion) than the Murano. I do not consider opinion to be bashing, its just opinion. For example, some people here HATE Hondas. I for one think they are well engineered vehicles. I had chosen midnight blue as the exterior color of my Murano, I thougth charcoal interior was a much better match for the color (as well as being a rarer combination). __________________ 2003 Midnight Blue SE AWD w/VDC Colgan Bra, Mobil One, JWT POP charger PAC aux input adapter, hardwired Escort Passport x50, KUDA mount for MP3 player, Porterfield R4S brake pads (now Akebono ProACT), ATE Superblue Yokohama Envigor (much improved over stock Goodyears) Lots of squeaks and rattles.

12-15-2004, 03:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
NVMYGT NO-MO-SNOW Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 902	Homer, I agree with Eric L. and his statement 100%. Perhaps some think black does a better job of concealing nissans choice in materials. I also have to state that if you were to tell me that you didnt like black and thought it looked cheap I would not be offended. It's the color of the interior...nothing major. I've read several car magazines that gave the MO lower ratings on interior comparisons because of the 'cheap interior look and feel'. However, I could not care less. I think it's pretty sweet regardless of color. Don't take it so personally buddy. What good would a this vs. that thread if everyone agreed? __________________ <B>2004 Mazda RX-8</B> Grand Touring Package and Navigation Previous Car: <b>2003 Sunlight Copper Nissan Murano SL</b> NAV, 10000K HIDs, OEM Pushbar, LED interior lights

12-15-2004, 04:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
rugiles Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ventura County, CA Posts: 145	I agree with Homer As a owner of the Latte Leather interior I feel we (latte owners) are looked down upon because we purchased, in some opinion, the cheap looking interior. I bought the latte because when I rode in a Black MO, with the Charcol interior, I felt like I was in a cave. I was also worried about the extra heat in inside the cabin from all the dark material being in a sunny state. I live in So. Ca. The latte as held up very well over the past year. I take a few friends Mt biking in it weekly. We get sweaty and dirty and you can hardly tell anyone but me has been in the vehicle. I also take clients out to lunch regulary and everyone comments on how clean and nice it looks. My only concern is my previously mentioned color transfer from my black leather belts. I have not tried Grippers suggestion yet. I will follow up with my results. __________________ 03 Super Black FWD Latte Leather, Performace Package Sunroof, Wind Deflector K&N Filter, Mobil One 255/60/18 Toyo Proxies

12-15-2004, 05:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
zebelkhan Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 6,041	I have tan interior and I love it. That color was by choice because I thought it made the interior look bigger and better (just my opinion) but I do have to agree that the dash plastic pieces easily show all imperfections and do look very cheap. Not only plastic is hard and "Saturn" looking, but in certain lights, I see imperfections that look like little bubles (over right airbag area). I have read in the forum that others have also had that problem. Not that the same thing is not in a black dash, but the black color certainly helps to conceal the imperfections. __________________ 2004 SL AWD - Super Black - Leather Package (Café latte) - Tow Package - Floor Mats - Splash Guards - Cargo Area Protector - Rear Bumper Protector - Front Window Tint - Dawn Color Matched Body Side Molding – Day Time Running Lights - PAC-NIS1 Aux Audio input - Pressure Pro TPMS and Anti Theft Sensor Locks - 7" Xenarc VGA Touchscreen - Compaq EVO e-PC 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 Carputer with 120GB HD, DSATX PSU / Shutdown Controller, Road Runner Front End, iGuidance 3.0 Navigation, DVD player, Internet access, XM satellite radio, Deluo GPS receiver, Linksys WiFi Antenna, TERK XM antenna - Tweeter 22uF CAP mod - Magnetbra - Custom Backup Camera - Aries Polished Stainless Steel Sidestep (nerf) Bars - Euro-Tech Nudge Bar - Homemade Lower Grill Cover - Auxiliary Projection Fog Lamps - Aluminum Fuel Tank Shields - Wade Window Deflectors - Nissan Sunroof Deflector - Scosche UBRH Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit

12-15-2004, 07:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ohio Murano Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, Ohio Posts: 242	I just bought mine last Saturday and believe it or not the closest dealer to me had one just like I wanted but it had the charcoal interier and I liked the Cafe Latte so much better I drove an extra hour to a dealer that had the same exact MO but with the Cafe Latte interier. Thay also knocked an extra $30 off for my drive. Either way I'm sure you'll be happy. __________________ 2005 Nissan Murano SL AWD Midnight Blue / Cafe Latte Leather SL Touring Package Dynamic Control Package Chrome Wheel Package

12-15-2004, 07:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
GripperDon Mr. 3 K, 3/3/5. 5K,10/5/7 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: PB5-926 Posts: 5,077	Thats why both Blonds and Brunettes are popular. __________________ Previous Owner of, The Mod Mo, 05, SL, FWD, Platinum, Charcoal Leather, Touring, Technology Pkgs., TPMS etc. Chrome Wheels, Roof Rack Bbars. Cargo Protector. Extended Warranty, X-Tire, AutoMate. Leatherique treated leather. Diamond Window Tint, Tires 3 step balanced. Stainless Steel Laser Cut Grill. Glass VIN etch, Debadged. Silver Painted Calipers. 1300F Ceramic painted Muffler. B-Quite Supreme, sound matting. External Sound ndercoated. White Led Parking Lights. Led Front Door Entrance Lights. Yellow Ion Fogs. Silver-Amber Front Turn Signals. Hella 100 Watt @ 5000K Driving Lights. SAT receiver–Delphi XM Roady2 Hidden Antenna install. Fan cooled Inverter AC to Xbox. MTX 200 watt auto on Amp deciated power to Bose Sub Woofer. PAC-Niss dual aux in for Sat and X Box audio. Generator Labs NoNag modded Rear Camera. “NAV Box" W/Modded X Box X2 Chip. DVD’s, MP3 & JPEG pics ,160 gig HD / Wireless Lynksis 802.11G Ethernet link. Runs Xbox Media Center. rear Bumper Protector. Selectable Horns: OEM MO/WoLo air. Tinted Tails-Bright bulbs. Tweeters tilted + 19uf mod. Lower Grill Stone Shield. Front Floor Amber Courtesy Lights. Chrome over Stainless Rocker Bars. Wireless LED Turn Signal Mirrors. Top mounted Led Stop Light modded with The backoff.

12-15-2004, 10:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
NVMYGT NO-MO-SNOW Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 902	Well said Grip...no word from the Redheads though! __________________ <B>2004 Mazda RX-8</B> Grand Touring Package and Navigation Previous Car: <b>2003 Sunlight Copper Nissan Murano SL</b> NAV, 10000K HIDs, OEM Pushbar, LED interior lights

12-15-2004, 11:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
GripperDon Mr. 3 K, 3/3/5. 5K,10/5/7 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: PB5-926 Posts: 5,077	WO WO __________________ Previous Owner of, The Mod Mo, 05, SL, FWD, Platinum, Charcoal Leather, Touring, Technology Pkgs., TPMS etc. Chrome Wheels, Roof Rack Bbars. Cargo Protector. Extended Warranty, X-Tire, AutoMate. Leatherique treated leather. Diamond Window Tint, Tires 3 step balanced. Stainless Steel Laser Cut Grill. Glass VIN etch, Debadged. Silver Painted Calipers. 1300F Ceramic painted Muffler. B-Quite Supreme, sound matting. External Sound ndercoated. White Led Parking Lights. Led Front Door Entrance Lights. Yellow Ion Fogs. Silver-Amber Front Turn Signals. Hella 100 Watt @ 5000K Driving Lights. SAT receiver–Delphi XM Roady2 Hidden Antenna install. Fan cooled Inverter AC to Xbox. MTX 200 watt auto on Amp deciated power to Bose Sub Woofer. PAC-Niss dual aux in for Sat and X Box audio. Generator Labs NoNag modded Rear Camera. “NAV Box" W/Modded X Box X2 Chip. DVD’s, MP3 & JPEG pics ,160 gig HD / Wireless Lynksis 802.11G Ethernet link. Runs Xbox Media Center. rear Bumper Protector. Selectable Horns: OEM MO/WoLo air. Tinted Tails-Bright bulbs. Tweeters tilted + 19uf mod. Lower Grill Stone Shield. Front Floor Amber Courtesy Lights. Chrome over Stainless Rocker Bars. Wireless LED Turn Signal Mirrors. Top mounted Led Stop Light modded with The backoff.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Nissan Murano Forums Advertisement

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: