Rep Power: 0

Just got a second-hand LX and love it. But it rides like a cardboard box :-/ It has 110k miles on it and new tires. I'm assuming new shocks and struts are in order. I drive in Houston tho, so stock or cheap stuff won't cut it. How do I determine the strength, stiffness or softness of shocks and struts? Do they have a rating system or numbering scheme? I've googled for definitions or a chart but it all points to autopart stores...

What's worked for ya'll? I'm not looking for Lexus-smooth, but more like a mid-size (Ford Fusion, Camry)

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 142

First off it IS a cheap car. Low amount of sound deadeners and thin material are used everywhere to save weight. Adding a well thought out sound deadening package will greatly improve the "feel" of the car and will help to reduce the cardboard box feel.

What brand are the "new" tires? Do you know how to read a DOT number on a tire to determine the actual age of the tire. Just because it is "new" doesn't actually mean it is actually a new tire. A tire that has sat on a rack in a store for 5 years can still be sold as new even though the tire has aged and hardened. And even if it is recent production a low quality/cheap tire can ruin the ride and feel of a car quickly. Personally I am a fan of Yokohama for a cheaper tires and Michelin when I am willing to spend a little more. I stay away from all General, Dunlop, goodyear, and continental tires due to frequently bad past experiences with those brands.

I would also make sure the alignment is correct to prevent fast tire wear. I can't remember if 2008 had the counter measure rear control arms as factory installed, but if you google tire wear 2007 civic you will find lots of info on the rear suspension/tire wear issues for that run of civics.

 
Rep Power: 518

What was your previous car? Apparently not a Honda.
Hondas all ride 'stiffer' than many other comparable brands. It won't ever float down the road like a Grand Marquis with MarshmallowTrack suspension.
Give it time, you'll get used to it.

Walk through your local Walmart parking lot and bounce test a few Civics like yours LOL (if it bounces, it needs struts or shocks)



Toyotas all seem to be extremely mushy compared to Hondas. It won't ever ride like a mid size GM either. (I try to stay away from fords)
I went from a Park Avenue to a Civic, it took a couple years to get used to it LOL



Search through suspension threads here. There are options that have been discussed, but I doubt you'll get anything to make it near as soft as a Camry.

 
Rep Power: 103

"HOW COULD YOU!?!?" haha.. the budget friendly Strange 10 way adjustable crap i bought makes my Ford quite comfy. i leave it set all the way soft. the ride is comfy and the traction is amazing. lol


do they have something economical like that for a civic?

 
Rep Power: 367

Tokiko D-spec, but they are for sportness, not comfort, nor budget