waid302

I am new to this forum. I just picked up a new 2013 Civic LX Auto for $17,000 plus taxes. I really like my Civic except I feel that it has a bit firmer ride than I am used to. I drive 3 hours per day - 120 miles per day which is about 30,000 miles per year so I need a safe cheap commuting car that I can put tons of miles on it and get rid of it. I got the cheaper Civic for good MPG and having rood ride quality would be really nice. The new Accord does have really good ride quality.

My LX has H rated horrible riding Firestone Affinity Touring Tires and I know my car will feel like I am riding on a Jell-O if I swap to an S rated tires. Bad rods in Indiana makes things even worse! My 2000 Accord LX-V6 called for V rated tires and tried the T rated defender. While the ride was soft & smooth, the car felt really unstable at highway speed. I ended up with H rated MXV4 and it was just fine.

While I may go from H to a T rated tires from my Civic, I did noticed that the HF Models are equipped with S rated 195/65-15 tires. As it turns out the shocks are the same but the springs are different for LX with H rated tires and the HF with S rated tires. The spring rates are matched to the speed rating of the tires – stiffness of side walls. The softer the side walls of tires, the softer the springs.

I have not driven the HF yet and may go to the dealer and see how it rides. For $125, I can get all 4 Coil Springs from Majestic Honda and swap it out myself for softer smoother ride. The added benefit would be cheaper S rated replacement tires in the future. With 30,000 miles/year, I need to replace tire every 2 years!

Has anyone driven the HF?

Does the HF rides “softer” than the LX ?

Thanks

Waid

ezone

Can't answer your questions......and I haven't seen an HF where I work at all.


I spent probably 10 years or more in a Buick Park Avenue, then got a 12 Civic LX. It took me a good year and a half before my eyeballs quit bouncing on every ripple in the pavement.

Then I put on 18" wheels with 40 series rubber band tires. No sidewall give. Harsh ride, but looks cool to me.

waid302

I drove a 2013 HF today and it sure does drive much nicer than the LX! It had S rated 195/65-15 Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 tires and soaks up bumps much better. I assume it had softer springs to match the softer tires. The springs for the HF will run me $146 with shipping and handling. The rear springs are easy since they are not coilovers but will need spring compressor for the front. Going to wait little bit until it warms up a little before I swap them out.

It is interesting to note that 2013 LX and EX had the same front springs but not the HF. The HF front springs used in 2013 are now the same for 2014 LX and EX! Too stiff for LX and EX? According to the online catalog at College Hills Honda, in 2012, the HF, LX and the EX had the same front springs.

Waid