Modern Tan Interiors - Yea or Nay?

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction) 09/17/2019 at 09:45 • Filed to: None

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It’s a classic look: BRG over tan, dark blue over tan, Ferrari red over tan.

It does look awesome in pictures, but in the flesh (actually sitting in a car) it just doesn’t appeal to me as much. My only experience is really with Porsche’s tan - maybe other s’ are better.

I do love a well-done deeper brown interior, fwiw, and the look of natural leather that’s allowed to wear and build up a “patina” over time appeals to me in general (my wallet).

I think the part that I really dislike is that there’s almost always some tan carpet & worse, plastic, that has to be involved in a tan interior, and that never looks appealing to me.

Your thoughts?

These seats below look amazing, but the steering wheel needs to be black... The column sticks out like a sore thumb here. The black & tan combo above is done better.

I’m also never a fan of multi-colored steering wheels/shift knobs/parking brake levers...

I will say, it works much, much better in older cars (tan goes nicely with wood trim). It’s a serious challenge to make it look good in modern cars, with all the molded plastic and more complex surfaces.

Show me a modern tan interior that you think is done well.

Sammyno55 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 09:51

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I don’t have a good interior to show, but tan or brown with black accents (carpet, dash, etc.) is the best interior.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 09:54

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Yay. Doesn’t melt you skin as much in summer, and doesn’t make you feel you’re in a cave at night

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 09:57

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I just realized now my interior is brown/tan. Much better than Black and Tan even in modern cars looks fantastic 

dogisbadob > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 09:58

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You made a mistake about the black part though. That shit should be brown, like the first pic.

Tan + black looks cheap

Tan + brown looks awesome

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:00

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Yes

Sovande > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:01

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It looks awesome.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:03

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I love tan. My LS400 is just a nicer place to be than my ISF because everything is not black. I ts airy.

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:04

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Yes, I would’ve ordered tan if I had the opportunity to buy a new E9X M3. 

My bird IS the word > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:05

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Anything is preferrable to plain black to me. Its just boring.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:05

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I feel like the high level Transit Connect actually pulls it off well:

Outside of that, I find it to be a good idea, but generally just cheap looking in execution.

That being said, I prefer some blue or red or green interiors to tan.

Future next gen S2000 owner > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:07

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I’m in support of anything other than black. All black interiors suck. I’d like some choice.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 09/17/2019 at 10:07

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Well, that’s not tan. Love the quilting and baseball stitching, though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/17/2019 at 10:08

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Yeah, that’s pretty well done.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 09/17/2019 at 10:09

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I don’t know - the hard transition between black and tan on the dash and console bugs me. At least the carpet’s not tan.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:10

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Especially when you consider it’s in a Ford “utility” minivan.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > dogisbadob 09/17/2019 at 10:10

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Almost impossible to avoid some black in a modern interior, unless $$$.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Sovande 09/17/2019 at 10:11

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This is well-done. But I’d call that brown, not tan.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 09/17/2019 at 10:12

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With a faux wood & black steering wheel, I assume ?

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:12

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That never bothered me at all. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Future next gen S2000 owner 09/17/2019 at 10:15

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Yes, choices are good. It’s just hard to get a black & tan interior done right, though.

How about blue? =)

Thomas Donohue > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:16

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Still works for me with green. I think on modern cars you need some contrast though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Thomas Donohue 09/17/2019 at 10:20

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This looks very well done (I’ll reserve judgement until I see the carpet/plastic...) - the silver trim is a nice additional contrast.

The Targa looks super stubby in that picture - photographer needed a different lens.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:22

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I’m one of the few holdouts who still loves tan leather interiors. Even beige ones

Future next gen S2000 owner > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:22

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Blue, red, plaid, orange, green, purple, chrome, white..............

Thomas Donohue > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:22

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I was thinking the same thing, it was a horrible batch of pics to choose from.

Here’s a better one.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 09/17/2019 at 10:23

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I prefer Cinnamon (and less of it).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 09/17/2019 at 10:24

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I think a white interior looks great, but it’s completely impractical if you ever wear jeans.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Thomas Donohue 09/17/2019 at 10:25

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Saw a black one street-parked here downtown a couple days ago. Looked great.

CompactLuxuryFan > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:26

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Big yea from me, although I do think too much tan plastic can be off- putting. I don’t mind tan carpet. I pretty much never prefer the black interior option over brown, but I’m not really a fan of beige.

A current car guilty of too much tan plastic IMO is the current 3-series’ “cognac” option:

As you can see, the lower dash is also cognac, and it looks terrible on the configurator as well as some pictures in bright light. In Europe, you can option that bit away, but not in the US. The X3 comes with a black lower dash and I prefer the look :

My particular car has no non-black carpet or plastic and I love it:

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Thomas Donohue 09/17/2019 at 10:27

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Not sure if I’d want to live with that roof out of warranty, though...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Future next gen S2000 owner 09/17/2019 at 10:28

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Plaid! Y es...

Milky > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:28

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I would have definitely liked to get this tan interior over my black.

But sadly not an option one first year Clubs. Also my friend has this brown interior and ooof.

Pickup_man > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:28

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I’m firmly on team Never-Tan, there are some that are almost acceptable, and the closer to brown it gets the better, but I’ve just never liked tan interiors. The only color I like less is the maroon GM used in the 80's/90's. I like black and gray , but agree that they’re  a little too common and boring these days. Bring back the colors!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CompactLuxuryFan 09/17/2019 at 10:30

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Yours looks great as spec-ed, although wood is just as much as a challenge as tan to pull off in a modern interior.

ihm96 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:30

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I like them a lot. At Benz (Im a salesman) most of them have black carpets and otehr black touches so I think that enhances the effect.

Also both of my cars are oxford green over tan leather lol, but I bought them used so that was more luck and chance than anything.

As for dark brown, it can look soooo good. The espresso brown interior color Mercedes has is one that I really really love in the right car

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:31

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Yeah!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:31

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Fortunately I rarely do, but yeah, blue jeans + white interior = gross looking.

TheRealBicycleBuck > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:32

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I’m not a fan of light colors for daily drivers. It’s too much work to keep them super clean and a single spill, if not addressed quickly and properly, can be quite difficult to clean. I was excited to be assigned a Ranger for my latest rental until I saw the condition of the tan interior. Poor little truck must have been rented by Pig Pen. It had less than 5,000 miles and the interior was essentially ruined.

I’ve owned vehicles with tan, grey, and blue interiors. Blue was my favorite.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CompactLuxuryFan 09/17/2019 at 10:33

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My car is silver/black/aluminum. I like the contrast.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TheRealBicycleBuck 09/17/2019 at 10:34

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Yeah, that sucks.

Dark blue?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/17/2019 at 10:35

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That’s not tan! Also, that steering wheel and shift knob just gave me an aneurysm.

Rainbow > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:36

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I’ m only here to say I'm so happy you used the correct "yea" and not "yay."

Thomas Donohue > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:36

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On that note...what about red calipers with green? Some don’t like the Christmas combination.

Fun fact: The One millionth Porsche 911 had red calipers for 99 % of the documented press pics and videos they took during production . When it was finally released, they were magically changed to black .

Red

red

Hey....what happened?

Someone didn’t like the red calipers.....

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ihm96 09/17/2019 at 10:36

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Yes, dark brown done right is the best.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rainbow 09/17/2019 at 10:37

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You’re welcome. I almost used “yeah”, but did some research before posting.

Maxima Speed > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:37

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I’m a fan of grey interiors actually. Not as cheap looking or as hot as black interior, very neutral and relaxing.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Thomas Donohue 09/17/2019 at 10:39

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Haha - yeah, it’s too on the nose, especially with a dark green. Just like you can’t do a bright red interior with a bright blue car - the Superman spec.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Pickup_man 09/17/2019 at 10:40

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Sounds like you and I are in the minority in these parts!

TheRealBicycleBuck > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:40

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The pic below is from the same model truck I’m thinking about (1983 Mazda B-2000), but with a crappy seat cover and in terrible condition. That shade of blue on the left side of the dashboard is about the original color. The rest is faded and/or filthy.

It was a very nice blue when new.

Thomas Donohue > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:41

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Not much different than a convertible. But yes, would look interesting when you were stuck in the parking lot waiting for a tow (I guess you just tow it to the dealer???).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Maxima Speed 09/17/2019 at 10:41

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Here’s mine: light gray, black & aluminum. Love the contrast.

ihm96 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:43

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My favorite unique colored interior that I want though is an R107 SL with that awesome yacht blue interior. Blue on blue, but it looks so damn good somehow. Plus I’ve driven a 560SL extensively for about a month as a daily once (mechanic friend was working on my clownshoe and lent me that. was amazing) and I fell in love with it. Had always been one of my favorite styled cars, but that V8 is also so torquey and despite being a big ass car its tons of fun on a backroad. I think I just aroused myself by googling that photo below, it just looks so goddamn good

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Thomas Donohue 09/17/2019 at 10:43

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LOL

I wouldn’t buy a convertible 911, either, fwiw. But that’s more about just wanting the great profile line of the coupe.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Milky 09/17/2019 at 10:44

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That’s very, very well-done. And that brown is sex.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ihm96 09/17/2019 at 10:46

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That’s very nice. Just a shame that the steering wheel and the rest of the plastic couldn’t match.

Thomas Donohue > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 10:58

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Agreed, but the new targas make it tempting. I’m just $125k short....I’ll stick with my Boxster for now!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Thomas Donohue 09/17/2019 at 11:03

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Ha! Good plan.

Sovande > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 11:04

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Hairs have been split!!!

Though upon some deep introspection, I suppose I agree. 

ihm96 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 11:06

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Its wood, not plastic. I would probably swap the steering wheel for a Nardi if it was mine, but the big steering wheel is really fun to use in that car lol. It fits the character well

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 11:09

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I love the combo, personally. All b lack interiors are too boring.

JustAnotherG6 > Pickup_man 09/17/2019 at 11:12

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I’m more of a never white person, tan is only a bit better with a nice Brown being ideal. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 09/17/2019 at 11:12

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That looks pretty good.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ihm96 09/17/2019 at 11:13

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Meant the plastic around the gauges.

ranwhenparked > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 11:19

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Yea - I had the saddle interior in my Mustang with a black exterior, it looked much better than the plain black. Ive got an all black interior in my Camaro right now, being used, I couldn’t choose it, but tan with the red exterior would have been my preference. Might get one of those Katzkin interior kits one day.

Ive never really liked black or grey interiors, either color key to the paint, or have some contrast, but with an actual color. 

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 11:57

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Not a tan/brown interior, but I got bored of my all black interior and added some saddle brown to it. I wish I was skilled and patient enough to do all the seats and center console.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's 09/17/2019 at 12:01

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Nice. I need to get some of my leather re-dyed at some point (bolsters are worn on passenger side - previous owner’s wife must’ve always worn bedazzled jeans or something...

M.T. Blake > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 12:09

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Third picture is too much tan... but acceptable in a Ferrari.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > M.T. Blake 09/17/2019 at 12:09

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The tan steering wheel is just bad.

Pickup_man > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 12:10

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I’m well aware, my distaste for tan is one of my hotter takes. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > JustAnotherG6 09/17/2019 at 12:12

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JustAnotherG6 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 12:17

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Never trust a white interior.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > JustAnotherG6 09/17/2019 at 12:34

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Amoore100 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 13:03

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The new Volvo s do it pretty well in an interesting way where the tan is clearly meant to be the upholstery color and appears nowhere on the dash—it makes for a nice clean segregation of the “living space” from the controls, if you will.

Of course, though,   nothing beats the pure ‘80s ridiculousness of the tan I talian leather in the 780 Bertone:

Fifty shades of beige !

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Amoore100 09/17/2019 at 13:50

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Yeah, keeping it just to the seats, the doors, and the center console helps a lot.

That Bertone... yuck.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2019 at 17:33

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I prefer a deeper tan, terra-cotta esque but not full on dark brown. My seemingly modern classic example

For whatever reason all my non-car friends seems to comment about how much they love the interior. Strange, the general public does know black is not the only option??? 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 09/17/2019 at 17:35

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Yeah, that’s nice.

pip bip - choose Corrour > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/18/2019 at 07:08

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nay