I just bought my E and I've found (too late) that the ride is so bouncy that I get a bit motion sick while driving or riding in it especially in the back seats (riding). It feels like the shocks aren't damping the springs enough. When we go over bumps at night you can see the effect by watching the light cast by the headlights bounce up and down 2 or 3 times meaning the chassis is bouncing not just the seats (bushing issue).

I love the E and am willing to upgrade the shocks if need be. Honda tells me they've heard the complaint before but they say "it was designed to do that" which I find doubtful. I'd like to hear one of their engineers say THAT with a straight face.

Of the 14 cars I've owned (be it miata, chevette, BMW or sta'-wag) I've NEVER experienced anything like this. Please help!

In a SUV? Get the heck outa here! Try changing the tires or the springs. :roll:

Looks like you are not experienced with SUV's. The Element is actually very tight for an SUV. I remember driving some full size SUV's a couple of years ago and they wallowed like a boat on turns. I hit a series of potholes once and the Bronco almost turned sideways bouncing.

Of my most recent 4 vehicles - 1988 Isuzu Trooper, 1994 Isuzu Rodeo, 1999 Ford Explorer, by far the Element has the smoothest ride.

-A

I'm not a big car buff, so I'm not even sure which parts can be changed to make a stock ride better. Is it the springs, shocks, both, neither?

What aftermarket improvements, within reason, could be made to make the ride quality even that much better?

The Element has a really short wheelbase that can lend itself to some "bucking." It's much more noticeable in the back seats since they're pretty much right over the rear axle. Seems I remember reading somewhere that the flat floor design limited suspension options and required the use of short shocks and little suspension travel. I'm sure that the bucking can be reduced some, but I'm doubtful that it can be eliminated entirely due to the short stroke suspension.

Every one that rides in my e says its the smoothest ride they have ever had!!

The Element does not have a "rear axle." They have independent suspension. To me, the ride is Civic-like. It's sporty and a tiny bit stiff for the E's good handling characteristics for a vehicle its size and stature. Unless I'm going over road construction, I think the ride is quite decent.