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2012 Recaro Seat Pics


Ezareth

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I agree, not a huge difference in appearance. Although I'd have to assume they hold you in the seat better on hard cornering (at least I hope so).

 

 

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Getting ready to place an order for a 2012, I needed to carefully inspect the Recaro seats, and I did so at a dealership last weekend. Here's my take:

 

First impression is their appearance, which is awesome. The RECARO stitching on the side gives an understated, but clear signal that the car is seriously equipped. This one had red stripes, and they matched the stripes in the back seat perfectly. I'm not sure what to make of the slanted holes in the headrest - perhaps for show, or maybe for integration of a harness? I asked the salesman and he had no idea - once again I knew 10x more about his product than he did.

 

The side bolsters are much beefier than the standard GT500 6-way power seat. The bottom portion of the seat had slightly higher sides as well, but this was a minor difference.

 

Sitting in the seat, it is certainly comfortable and supportive. However, a couple of things started to come to me as I sat there for about 20 minutes... first was the headrest: I think it is a little harder compared to the standard headrest. More importantly, there is zero adjustment as the seat back is one solid piece including the headrest. It pushed my head a little further forward than I'd prefer, but maybe I'd get used to that - don't know. Secondly, the seat is manually adjusted with two levers: one raised the seat straight up, the other straight down. Of course there's also the front-back manual adjustment, as well as seat angle. However, you can not adjust the tilt, nor can you adjust the tightness of the side bolsters. I was disappointed in this, considering the cost and that this is 2011. The last fun car I had (before marriage, kids, vans, etc.) was a new Toyota Supra I bought in 1985. The seats in that car rivaled Recaro seats, and had adjustments for seat angle and you could move the bolsters in and out, plus there was a bulb to pump up the lumbar support. I was anticipating this kind of adjust-ability in these seats but no dice.

 

Another thing I should pass on is that while I think the seat fit me perfectly, and would definitely hold me in place during a 1G turn, it may not fit all body types very well. I'm a fairly athletic 5' 10" 170lb guy, and the seat was snug. Any of you that are bulkier might not be comfortable in these.

 

So, I've decided against them. Considering the cost, and the lack of adjustment, and my plans to cruise more than corner hard, I'm going with the 6-way power seats, which have adjustable tilt, lumbar, and headrest. No doubt the Recaros are extremely cool looking and will be great for medium built people that are looking to corner hard and/or race their Shelby's.

 

My two cents... hope this helps anyone considering these...

 

Sween

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Ok Alex...I'll bite! How did you get 3 sets AND how much are they? Are they all black? How much will you be asking for them? Inquiring minds want to know....

 

 

LOL....I am lucky to have friends in high places. :happy feet:

 

I have 2 sets now...one set that just went into my car today with the snakes and black stripes, and another pair in black with black stripes, but no snakes...

 

I will be getting another set in black with black stripes, and one in black with white stripes, next week....

 

Won't be able to get any more past that, when they are gone they are gone. Make some offers. These were not inexpensive by any means, so keep the offers realistic....they are the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in, in a car. You sit IN them, not ON them...they really hold you in place. Ford and Recaro did a great job!!!

 

Here is my build thread of my car with pictures of the seats being installed today.,...enjoy...

 

My build thread....

 

Alex

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I have the Recaro's in my 12. What you have all missed, is how annoying the headrests are in the standard seat. Mind you, every person has a different body type, but with the New Safety Laws, the Headrests push your head forward in an uncomfortable extent. The Recaro's solved that problem. Additionally the Shelby is a Racecar, and the Recaro's are a Racecar Seat. They are EXTREMELY Comfortable, and the Leather is of MUCH HIGHER Quality than Ford's Standard Seats in the Shelby. For Just $1595, The Upgrade is a No brainer. Ford's Leather Wears badly, and it tends to crease and crack in just a few short years..This higher quality leather and firmer padding in the seat, will hold it's shape much longer, if not indefinately. I have a Recaro Desk Chair, and it is 10 years old, and looks and feel like new.

 

However, if you are less than 5'8, your head may rest on the plastic in the seat, and would be uncomfortable.. Also if you have a Wide frame or are overweight, you may not fit.

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Anyone have any idea why Recaro is unable to make a seat that will fit on the power seat tracks. It has never made sense to me why they can't do that. It seems like it would be simple to do. There is obviously some major design problem that prevents it. I guess also for me, $1595 is not a "just" amount for that kind of option. Kind of like the navigation system. Salesman just couldn't understand why I wouldn't pay nearly $2000 for it in '07. I have never in my life been $2000 worth of lost. I'll stop and get a buck 25 road map or simply ask directions. Lets face it, most owners don't drive them enough to get lost anyway.

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Anyone have any idea why Recaro is unable to make a seat that will fit on the power seat tracks. It has never made sense to me why they can't do that. It seems like it would be simple to do. There is obviously some major design problem that prevents it. I guess also for me, $1595 is not a "just" amount for that kind of option. Kind of like the navigation system. Salesman just couldn't understand why I wouldn't pay nearly $2000 for it in '07. I have never in my life been $2000 worth of lost. I'll stop and get a buck 25 road map or simply ask directions. Lets face it, most owners don't drive them enough to get lost anyway.

 

I understand your point, but as for myself this car is going to be driven alot, and hard.. Already have 1300 miles on my 12 in less than a week. But my yearly average should be about 30,000. In 2 years, it'll be time for the 2014. I must admit, it would be nice if it tilted, and for a car thats upwards of $50,000 it should have power driver and passenger seats..However it doesn't, and from my understanding from Speaking with my Service Manager, it wasn't going to be easy to make the Mod. Unlike the 2000 Cobra R that had a Recaro Seat, the 2012 Lacks the "Pump" Lumbar...But in Honesty, I had sat in the seat, with the Exception of 2 stops for gas, a total of 8 1/2 hours non-stop, and my back felt perfectly fine... However...my neck is a little soar, but I think that was due to 1) bumpy SoCal freeways, 2)Performance package suspension, 3) An average speed of 95 while going over those bumps..

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  • 2 weeks later...

I understand your point, but as for myself this car is going to be driven alot, and hard.. Already have 1300 miles on my 12 in less than a week. But my yearly average should be about 30,000. In 2 years, it'll be time for the 2014. I must admit, it would be nice if it tilted, and for a car thats upwards of $50,000 it should have power driver and passenger seats..However it doesn't, and from my understanding from Speaking with my Service Manager, it wasn't going to be easy to make the Mod. Unlike the 2000 Cobra R that had a Recaro Seat, the 2012 Lacks the "Pump" Lumbar...But in Honesty, I had sat in the seat, with the Exception of 2 stops for gas, a total of 8 1/2 hours non-stop, and my back felt perfectly fine... However...my neck is a little soar, but I think that was due to 1) bumpy SoCal freeways, 2)Performance package suspension, 3) An average speed of 95 while going over those bumps..

 

 

My connections at Ford have said it is a weight issue. Too many have complained about added weight, hence, no power seats with the Recaro. It does bolt right up....had a guy buy a set from me that we made his pass power seat track work too....and the power lumbar....that too is in my 12 Recaro seats in my 10....

 

Those of you that want a set of 12 Recaro seat, let me know...I have 3 pairs left and 4 driver's sides by themselves....can;' get any more when these are gone. Of all the mods I have done to my current Shelby, this is the most satisfying....

 

Alex

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My connections at Ford have said it is a weight issue. Too many have complained about added weight, hence, no power seats with the Recaro. It does bolt right up....had a guy buy a set from me that we made his pass power seat track work too....and the power lumbar....that too is in my 12 Recaro seats in my 10....

 

Those of you that want a set of 12 Recaro seat, let me know...I have 3 pairs left and 4 driver's sides by themselves....can;' get any more when these are gone. Of all the mods I have done to my current Shelby, this is the most satisfying....

 

Alex

 

 

 

how much for a set, i would want all black if you have?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Getting ready to place an order for a 2012, I needed to carefully inspect the Recaro seats, and I did so at a dealership last weekend. Here's my take:

 

First impression is their appearance, which is awesome. The RECARO stitching on the side gives an understated, but clear signal that the car is seriously equipped. This one had red stripes, and they matched the stripes in the back seat perfectly. I'm not sure what to make of the slanted holes in the headrest - perhaps for show, or maybe for integration of a harness? I asked the salesman and he had no idea - once again I knew 10x more about his product than he did.

 

The side bolsters are much beefier than the standard GT500 6-way power seat. The bottom portion of the seat had slightly higher sides as well, but this was a minor difference.

 

Sitting in the seat, it is certainly comfortable and supportive. However, a couple of things started to come to me as I sat there for about 20 minutes... first was the headrest: I think it is a little harder compared to the standard headrest. More importantly, there is zero adjustment as the seat back is one solid piece including the headrest. It pushed my head a little further forward than I'd prefer, but maybe I'd get used to that - don't know. Secondly, the seat is manually adjusted with two levers: one raised the seat straight up, the other straight down. Of course there's also the front-back manual adjustment, as well as seat angle. However, you can not adjust the tilt, nor can you adjust the tightness of the side bolsters. I was disappointed in this, considering the cost and that this is 2011. The last fun car I had (before marriage, kids, vans, etc.) was a new Toyota Supra I bought in 1985. The seats in that car rivaled Recaro seats, and had adjustments for seat angle and you could move the bolsters in and out, plus there was a bulb to pump up the lumbar support. I was anticipating this kind of adjust-ability in these seats but no dice.

 

Another thing I should pass on is that while I think the seat fit me perfectly, and would definitely hold me in place during a 1G turn, it may not fit all body types very well. I'm a fairly athletic 5' 10" 170lb guy, and the seat was snug. Any of you that are bulkier might not be comfortable in these.

 

So, I've decided against them. Considering the cost, and the lack of adjustment, and my plans to cruise more than corner hard, I'm going with the 6-way power seats, which have adjustable tilt, lumbar, and headrest. No doubt the Recaros are extremely cool looking and will be great for medium built people that are looking to corner hard and/or race their Shelby's.

 

My two cents... hope this helps anyone considering these...

 

Sween

 

Tried out the Recaros on the new Boss today and found them too narrow and lack of headrest was missed.I will be sticking with the stock seats on my 2011 Gt500, way more comfortable and adjustable.

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Tried out the Recaros on the new Boss today and found them too narrow and lack of headrest was missed.I will be sticking with the stock seats on my 2011 Gt500, way more comfortable and adjustable.

 

 

Amen brother. We're in the same boat. Enjoy those stock seats in your '11. beerchug.gif

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I think the Recaros have a much different look than the stock seats. I also agree that the quality of leather and the support is much higher. However, you do sit "in" them and that makes them a bit harder to get in and out of. AND I agree with if you are under 5'8" then your head may hit the plastic. My wife has complained of that if an unexpected acceleration happens. :) so she has been so good about adapting by keeping her head back and centered to avoid hitting it and I let her know before I get on it.

 

I also saw a few stock seats on '11 and '12 have a bulge on the outside part of the vertical backs from the levers that allow the seat to fold forward. That made me nervous for long term wear.

 

The Recaros and the SVTPP are a perfect combination for those who are looking for a corner carving high power street/race car. I just love them!

 

I also should add I have red stripes in them which match the rear seats and the exterior stripes.

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