Can't say I've had a bad experience with one on my car, then again it only gets washed once or twice a year...
The wheels on the other hand, get a good spray often due to my shitty dusty pads.
A few pop up now and then, but you're right, definitely not as often or as cheap as it was back then. Even non GTR seats are a joke these days, pretty sure you could have gotten one for a zinger box or pack of Winnie blues.