A discussion on improving ride quality

[cjd]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Check out the Fiat 500e. Tons of fun.

I love renting one on vacation, such a fun little car.

The plug in is a joke... Really wish the Volt were a reputable brand, ideal here. My wife's daily drive would be all electric. She'd be back to 35mpg in a plug in Prius in the winter (she lines her regular 06 Prius...) It nerds help in the handling department though.

My point was lost I guess. Might never really have been there.

I really like this car, enough to sink a bit of cash into changing some of its behavior now that I know what I want to change. And if it were tough to swing financially, it's really good stock. Or changed a little at a time.

[abraxis]

I think it's interesting that people find spending $6K on a BRZ suspension which allows it to outhandle new 911s and Vettes a bad investment. Whether you spend $600 or $6000, it seems like a decent return. Understanding how suspensions work and with my own experiences over the years, I wouldn't even say diminishing returns apply as long as you are buying the real deal. Usually diminishing returns yields a wider degree of sacrificial choice of one attribute over the other. With suspension you can start paying for having your cake and eating it too. That's what I'm after. The Holy Grail, the Golden Unicorn.

Originally Posted by donoman

I almost bought a Prius plug-in. I just could not do it.

The 86 is my Prius!

[solidONE]

"ride quality" is really subjective and relative. You guys talking about "ride quality" while just putting around town? Or, do you mean "ride quality" while your trying to beat your personal best lap or the next guy? Do you want "ride quality" while going on a fairly smooth freeway freeway 80mph vs 80mph around a corner, over the curbing, followed by a dip in the middle of the turn and then running over a squirrel? lol

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by solidONE

"ride quality" is really subjective and relative. You guys talking about "ride quality" while just putting around town? Or, do you mean "ride quality" while your trying to beat your personal best lap or the next guy? Do you want "ride quality" while going on a fairly smooth freeway freeway 80mph vs 80mph around a corner, over the curbing, followed by a dip in the middle of the turn and then running over a squirrel? lol

SQUIRREL!

[Captain Snooze]

That's it. I need squirrel tuned suspension.
*starts Googling*

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

SQUIRREL!

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

That's it. I need squirrel tuned suspension.
*starts Googling*

See? I too want an "80mph around the bend squirrel tuned" suspension, and that's going to cost some big bux.

[EAGLE5]

What kind of spring rate do I need to avoid upsetting the car mid corner while running over a squirrel? What coilovers have enough range of adjustment to also allow handling opossums bumps? I only ask because I have been "in contact" with both.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

What kind of spring rate do I need to avoid upsetting the car mid corner while running over a squirrel? What coilovers have enough range of adjustment to also allow handling opossums bumps? I only ask because I have been "in contact" with both.

Not sure about spring rates, but I'd think the size and squishiness of the rodents and tire will come into play. You're going to want some nice high speed blow off in the compression valving for sure. lol

[donoman]

What you're saying is the $6k suspension be able to handle squirrels and what about the occasional rabbit?

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by donoman

What you're saying is the $6k suspension be able to handle squirrels and what about the occasional rabbit?

For that price, I'd hope the occasional annoying child too.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by abraxis

The stock ride is the stock ride and ride quality is either better or worse.

I disagree. It's really not difficult to improve ride over certain types of bumps but it often means a compromise in another area. This is why you see reviews of some lowering springs or some coilovers that say the ride feels smoother. It can be smoother over small to medium bumps, but may be quite jarring over big bumps. In some cases you may have had a negative impact on handling (or effectively no change).

On the other hand, I've been in cars that had track oriented suspension on them that adsorbed big bumps brilliantly...way better than stock, but bobble the man-boobs you didnt know you had on anything but glass smooth roads.

Everyone's expectations are different and what's better than stock for you and your roads may not be the same as for another person.

What's difficult is better ride 100% of the time AND better handling. Takes some thought and some money, but can be done. JRZ RS1 is just one option (you can read my review from the testing we did for them if you search our past threads). There are others though with different degrees of hardcore-ness. I'm still in Japan right now so my vocabulary is terrible. I'll write more when I get home.

- Andy

[ajc209]

My experience of the Ohlins is that they work better than stock on the big stuff, but on rough surfaces, more roughtness transerfers to the cabin.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by solidONE

See? I too want an "80mph around the bend squirrel tuned" suspension, and that's going to cost some big bux.

"Hey man, how's the shox?"
"Dude, I'm not so sure. I hit the bends doin' 80 and things get a bit squirrely. "

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

For that price , I'd hope the occasional annoying child too.

If there are annoying children involved I'd be wanting a 50 ton unsprung steam roller to sort them out.