Originally Posted by Deaf Eddie
I've had my '04 Crossfire for almost two years now, I bought it used (lease return) with about 35k miles on it. I love it, but I find the ride a bit "busy" on less-than-silky-smooth pavement. I mean, the whole car feels very STIFF, jarring, and unforgiving of the road surface - I can feel every little bump and dip, and often in a teeth-rattling manner. It can be downright uncomfortable and fatiguing at times. 90% of my driving is on SoCal freeways, just so's ya know where I been...
My question is, is this just that "rude sports car ride" that I should expect from this type of car, or, should I be getting that smooth, German-engineered luxury ride? Is this just the way the suspension works, or should I have somebody look at the springs/shocks (and/or other suggestions)?
Ed You didn't say what kind of tires were mounted on your car. If you haven't installed new tires yourself, are you sure it doesn't have "run flats"
on it? Your description of how your car rides almost sounds like it does. The Crossfires suspension isn't "tuned" for them if it does, or your car may simply have a "higher performance" tire mounted on it. These type of tires have a "stiffer" side wall as well.
I had the pleasure of experiencing some of SoCal highways just last month. Trust me they are nothing compared to the "torture tracks" we call Interstates here in the N.E. (thanks to our "beautiful" winters). But even with our bad roads, my 04 with 40k miles on it rides great. And I have a few other very good handling sports cars to compare it to.
For the record, You don't have to "pay the price" of putting up with an SRT's ride to have a great handling car. According to Road & Track magazine road tests, the NA Crossfire goes thru a slalom faster than a SRT with its stiffer suspension.
If I were you I think I would look at your tires first, they are usually responsible for the most dramatic change in your cars ride and handling.
Good Luck