anyone else notice their SC rides really stiff??? the ride seems harsher than my lowered civic.

anyone else notice their SC rides really stiff??? the ride seems harsher than my lowered civic.

Yeah, i too noticed that.. Well, compared to my SCION XB anyhow... i know the wheelbase of the Scion is shorter than the Element, but the ride of the Element seems as though it is shorter... I think it just boils down to suspension component and setup..

No biggie to me tho.. I still love my Element SC..


-O

anyone else notice their SC rides really stiff??? the ride seems harsher than my lowered civic.

it is a pretty rough ride. Almost too rough.

I went to lunch the other day with my business partner. He drives a Dodge Cummins diesel with 4 W D. He said my E rode harder than his truck. He's right, especially on things like freeway expansion strips. His truck does much more of the see-saw effect. So, I think the E is a hard riding little truck and the SC may be worse with the larger wheels and shorter sidewalls.

Oem Tires may be the problem, not the SC. My ride REALLY changed in the "regular" E with a better and more "ride friendly" tire. Perhaps yours would benefit from a more "passenger car" ride type tire instead of the OEM's (which are considered more an SUV type tire).

what tango said, its worth a try....:-)

But - the SC tires are not the Wranglers that we all know and hate - they are (as best I can tell), GY Eagle LS. Tirerack lists only 2 tires in this size (225/55/18). So you can't blame the rough ride on the wrong kind of tires.

What would be instructive is to have someone who has modified their Element (such as lowered with 18" wheels) test drive an SC.

paulj

I was really impressed with the ride in the SC, though it was slightly more firm than a regular E with the Wranglers. I remember when I picked up my Ridgeline and while driving it home thought "why does this seem harsh compared to the test drive in the other RL?" I got home and checked the pressure and all tires were inflated way over 40 psi. I backed the pressure down to the sidewall spec and then it was great. Maybe the same thing is going on with the Elements? Maybe?

ARE YOU ALL CRAZY? I have been driving an '03 E-EX for almost 4 years and just testdrove the SC last week. It drove like a cloud, so smooth over the bumps that I thought I was in a Cadillac!

Guess it is all a matter of perception. I live in Cleveland, Ohio, with lots of potholes and this new SC drives and handles much sweeter than the old E.

Yes, I am crazy.

After further attention i may have to rectify my previos opinion.. (bare with me, i've only had my E for 1 week and 2 days).. Was driving down the highway this morning and noticed that my headlights beam wasn't bouncing around as did with my XB.. Highway traveling is waaayy more plush in the E.. the one thing that does wreak havoc, especially on the rear passengers, is when you hit thos spots on 'city' street that makes the entire car undulate. That is where the E can kinda jerk you around.. Nothing dangerous or out of control.. Just a thrill-ride..

I love my E

-O

All this complaining about the Wranglers... they don't seem that bad. I had 30" Wranglers on my Jeep uh, Wrangler, and they were way rougher and louder, and the Uniroyal Tigerpaws on the truck were awful.

I'll probably put some Goodyear Wrangler Aquatreads on there when these wear down... Dad had those on his Cherokee, and I believe you could drive through a swimming with those and keep locked onto the bottom.

If I wanted a silky smooth ride and vault quiet interior, I'd buy a Buick. As it is, the higher, firmer ride and ability to pop off the skylight are things that kept me from buying another Wrangler (Jeep, not tire!).

There are 3 or more GY tires with Wrangler in the name. The E comes with the 'HP' version. The version I've seen on Jeeps is something like 'RS'.

paulj

I personally hate the "gushy" rides and prefer a little bit of stiffness, so I love the way the SC rides. I don't like to have my head bobble as some "luxury" vehicles tend to cause. Like I've said before, the SC is a smooooth operator:D

You can feels the bumps the springs are about 30% stiffer on SC! Dealer will tell you this or read the manual! But it is still a nice ride! I am 61 and love it!:) :)

I personally hate the "gushy" rides and prefer a little bit of stiffness, so I love the way the SC rides. I don't like to have my head bobble as some "luxury" vehicles tend to cause. Like I've said before, the SC is a smooooth operator:D

The Element's ride is just about right to me in stock form. Any stiffer (xB) and it would be too punishing on these salt-eaten, expansion-crack laden midwest highways. The CR-V was too soft for me... I hated the nose-dive every time you pushed the brakes, even at parking lot speeds.