Stiff Ride

[savvacon]

I have to say guys as much as I like the P5 I hate the ride... it's way to rough! All my previous cars ('95 MX6 LS, 94 Grand Am Gt, '93 Jetta) make it look bad. I'm sure others feel the same way... what can I do? Any ideas to improve the ride?

 

[njaremka]

a stiff ride is a trade off for good handling.

 

[Humvee]

I've found if you label is "responsive" instead of "stiff" and "harsh" it makes it feel better.

so does taking exit ramps at 2x the recommended limit.

 

[big_ben]

The ride is that way so that there is better handling. If you wanted a better ride you should have bought a different car.

 

[savvacon]

My MX6 handled great but still had a half decent ride... meaning I could leave my coffee in the cup holder and it wouldn't spill everywhere when I drove... can nothing be done to keep handling and increase the ride a little bit?

 

[big_ben]

Nope.

 

[Sir Nuke]

My MX6 handled great but still had a half decent ride... meaning I could leave my coffee in the cup holder and it wouldn't spill everywhere when I drove... can nothing be done to keep handling and increase the ride a little bit?

First off Savvacon, Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. (stash)

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!! (stash)

As for the ride....mazda went to great lengths to make the car handle like a slot car.....its remarkable....there isn't a car made that can handle as well with a cushy ride. Its a trade off. Its just like you won't find performance tires that will last 70,000 miles....just not gonna happen. I am sorry to tell you....but the market doesn't presently have a following of people that want to soften the ride, so there are no springs offered by anyone to make it softer.....there are however springs/struts that will IMPROVE the handling, which will make it a little more "responsive".....but that isn't what you are looking for. Sorry.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

savvacon,
Place some coffee in a MP3 and take it for a spin. You will be happier with your P5 then. Personally, I like the bumpy ride in the MP3, as I know its a symbol of its top knotch handling .

Chris

 

[MP3skaterNC]

i don't even notice the bumpy ride anymore, occasionally a girl might complain about it if we're going someplace far like to wilmington or myrtle. but over time you'll get used to it and still love the handling, i didn't even notice the bumpyness on trips to raleigh or though raleigh now that im so used to it.

 

[Todd]

I just put my winter tires on and it might just be me, but it does not seem like I feel every crack in the road anymore. I dont like that. I like feeling every little crack and stone. It makes me feel like Im "one" with the road or something. I cant explain it, but Im sure alot of people almost prefer a stiff ride too.

 

[Humvee]

The ride is great - the cup holders suck

 

[DBR]

if you want a softer ride, you might consider 15" tires with a taller sidewall.

 

[o.g.sk8er]

I know for a fact if you remove your rear sway bar, it will make your ride alot softer. I had my sway bar tab break, so I removed the whole bar till I was able to get it fixed. While waiting for the fix I could notice a very soft ride. Hope this help's.

 

[jsgolfer]

as far as i know, ride quality and handling are inversely related. you cant have both. anyway. i love the p5's ride. i am even looking for ways to stiffen it up. maybe because your old cars were softies you just got used to a cushy ride. personally, i like to feel the road. makes me feel like i have control of the car.

 

[cjstringer]

My fiance drives a dodge quad cab dakota. She got in and laughed about how my 'little matchbox car' rides so stiff. I proceeded to take a 25 mph entrance ramp to the interstate at 65mph. As she about used my seat as a toilet, I told her, "It rides rough so I can do things like that." She laughed and said, "Okay, I get it. Now NEVER do that again."

 

[Sir Nuke]

a few VERY excellent suggestions......larger sidewalls on 15's for one....removing the sway bar in the back....


as far as the ride....we took my wifes P-5 on vacation this summer....and not ALL the roads were the best....round trip....4800 miles in two weeks.....the car was a dream to drive...and VERY comfortable....while actually traveling from one place to the next....a NORMAL day on the raod for us was 12-14 hours.....and I felt great when I got out....not fatigued at all. we love our P-5's just the way they are.

 

[thunderb0lt]

jsgolfer wrote: as far as i know, ride quality and handling are inversely related.

Thats what i have been thinking too. BUT, if thats true, then what about cars like BMW and all? Even when stock, they look real low, have low pro tires and handle very well.

 

[Sir Nuke]

Thats what i have been thinking too. BUT, if thats true, then what about cars like BMW and all? Even when stock, they look real low, have low pro tires and handle very well.

not all of them handle as well as our cars.......but ALL of them certainly cost a LOT more than our cars....

with enough money....you can engineer just about anything. Just be prepared and willing to pay for it.

(stash)

 

[eMKay]

Put on all season tires, but you will notice a negative impact on handling. BTW, your P5 could run circles around your MX6 on an autocross course.