The more I drive my S, the more I'm unhappy about the general feeling of vagueness about the handling at speed.

I've had the car for about 7 months (but put almost 20k miles on it ) and before that I had an Elise for about 2 years as my daily driver. That was harsh and clattery but handled incredibly.

I decided to sacrifice outright rawness for more comfort but the S just feels vague. My question is, what steps do I take without breaking the bank?

It's on standard 16" wheels with new 050's all round.

Now I'm thinking geo first but having read the horror stories about seized stuff, wonder if it's worth me swapping bushes etc out first myself? I'm handy with spanners (Having an Elise in bits every weekend out helped there) so not afraid to tackle anything if someone has instructions.

I'd like to lower it a little and put 17's on later but for now I'd just like to get it feeling more planted.

What are your suggestions oh expert Honda ones...?

 

If the tyre pressures are ok, get an alignment check done.

You'll find out if they're seized or not then.

 

It gets weekly checks on everything inc pressures (and a once over with a soapy sponge).

The alignment feels ok, it tracks straight as a die and under braking.

The car just doesn't feel sharp. There's a bit too much roll for me but I don't know how I can change this without affecting other characteristics of the handling. It just has an overall soggyness about it. I had an old 5 series that felt better to be honest and that can't be right.

I don't know what could do with replacing after 70k miles.

 

See my sig. Got it all fitted and set up at WIM. Car is absolutely flat now and is awesome on the track. Just done Cadwell and the car felt totally planted and predictable at all times.

 

Braces:
Front lower cross
Front strut
Rear upper and lower

You could get new suspension, and have it a bit harder and or lower too.

Get your geometry checked anyway I would.

 

It's not difficult to remove and grease the offending bolts yourself, assuming they're not seized that is. At least if you try it yourself you'll know in advance how painful it's likely to be.

Definitely get the geo done. Going straight doesn't prove anything; in fact if it doesn't tramline, the geo's probably out.

 

Unfortunately it tramlines just as badly as the elise, I thought that was normal.

 

Would you suggest in that order? I wouldn't be getting all that stuff in one go so it would make sense to get the best from each part by doing it in order.

Braces and then geo or geo first?

 

That's something I could never have said about the S.

Has anyone been tinkering with it before?

Have you got standard suspension on?

 

I did the rear brace and geo at the same time. results are night and day.

Your shocks might be a little tired now at 9 years old .