At the risk of stating the obvious, keep in mind that taller tires on the same wheels will change your gearing and the way the car feels.

A related option would be to go to a minus one size (i.e. 205/60R15 and 225/55R15 tires), which would maintain the same approximate tire diameter and thus the gearing and speedo accuracy. Might be hard to find fifteen inch wheels that would fit, though.

Steve

 

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. And thanks also for not flaming. The postings honored the intent of the question.

I just spent quite a while tapping out a long response, which the computer seems to have eaten, so I'll just say thanks again.

 

I would agree with the adjustable shocks idea!

My CRX-Si that was built for the track, is so stiff both my teeth and the closed sunroof rattle while driving to the track.

I put in Tokico (sp?) 5 position adjustable shocks, and now the car is a blast on the streets again. I dial up 1 or 2 for the streets- I call it the bouncy setting then when I want to have fun I dial up 4 or 5- I call that my kidneys hurt setting

 

I know exactly what you are talking about. The roads where I live are quite rough.

If your car is fairly new, I would say that it will get better. Mine now has 30K miles and has improved. I will say that you definitely get used to it. As for the wife, take her to a road with smooth twisty road and let her drive it. If she can drive at all she will come away with a different understanding. My wife felt the same as yours at first and now wants to take the S every where.

Changing tires won't do much. I just switched to 17's and can't really tell the difference. S03's definitely ride better than 02's though and I put new S03's on at the same time.

X brace may make you feel better, but wont help the wife unit.

The best fix is to change shocks. Do a lot of research and look for single adjustable and not to high of spring rate. I have heard that mugan socks with 11K springs in rear will actually ride better in your situation than stock. The best I have heard of though are probably Bilstien SS9's. The Koni mentioned may work as well.

I personally have Ohlin's on the way and will report on the ride once there on. Should be about 2 weeks.

 

We have roads in Michigan, since when?

Sailor,

What year is your car?

 

I have the Bilstein PSS9's and think that they are great. They have the adjustability to take the initial impact harshness out of impacts with out compromising the handling. On washboard surfaces the back end stays planted, unlike the stock setup.

 

My wife had the same complaint when we first got our 2002. We had the stock S-02's, and a member on the board suggested lowering the PSI in the tires from 34 to 30. This made some improvement. We later changed to 18" S-03's, and they ride much better than the stock 16". I have heard that the Koni's will improve ride as well, and if you have the $$$'s, Tein type CS (comfort spec) coilovers are very nice with a 4K spring rate in the front, and 6k in the rear. Expect to pay around $1500 for a set, but you get the added bonus of ride height adjustability.

 

One last shot before heading up north to the land of no Internet. Will check postings next on 8/17.

The s2k is an '03, Grand Prix White, with about 2,900 miles in 2 months. It is a daily driver for half the year, with a '92 Volvo 940 Turbo the other half (even that doesn't have 70 series tires .

Michigan used to have roads in the 60's. In fact, they were a point of pride. Saab 9-3 got it right now, though.

Lots of great suggestions, especially adjustable shocks and S-03's.

First weekend we had it in June, the wife drove the road from Traverse City to Empire and Frankfort. Beautiful drive, especially from Empire on. She loved it. The problem is the freeways to get there and the local streets here. The city commission is considering a "pothole tax" to fix our streets. Only about two decades late.

The main issue is freeway driving. Those twisty northern roads are just fine.

Anyway, keep those cards and letters coming and thanks again.

Brian