I see all the discussions about performance vs. comfort on our cars....

My question is what do the Vipers, Porsches, Ferraris, Lambos, etc... have on them? Those cars are super cars(or super sport) so they have great performance, handling, etc.. I guess. Are their rides going to be just as rough as ours because they must have performance suspension etc... on them? OR do they have something else that gives them same performance but also ride comfort?

I'm sorry I don't understand all of this...trying to decipher what other cars have that makes them more comfortable than ours when we have them decked out for performance handling.

and sorry if this doesn't make sense...I am spitting it out as I go.

Thanks in advance!

- ghost




Ghost's Beginning College Guide:

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factory service manual http://www.ecanfix.com/users/manualcd/gift/dsm/index.html

I like this question, tried to find out what makes a comfy car comfy myself. have you noticed how everyone wants to get better springs/struts on this board, and all the peeps who have done it complain how uncomfortable their rides are?

K, from what I've heard, if you're talkin' "super cars" then Vipers and Porsches are not at all comfy. Esp the former. The best comfort and performance seems to be the acura nsx. I have no idea what spring rates or struts are on them... but you here all this talk about electrically modualted suspension on mercedes these days (happens on the order of 1000s of times per sec), but I honestly don't see how that responds to a pot hole to make it less feelable. I can see how it would help with stability.

When I asked the question how BMW's can get away w/ 18's and still be comfy someone said it was their wheelbase is longer. I don't buy it. I think if we could keep our spring rates but use a better strut we could have better rides.

2gnt: '99 RS-T, killed by a toyota, pending rebuild...
Daily: Volt
Daily #2: '99 EVG ebike- STOLEN by PEDRO

Vipers and Porsches aren't comfy at all?

If that is the case, then I wouldn't mind my ride being uncomfy for the goal of better performance.

Am I off or on here?

TIA

- ghost




Ghost's Beginning College Guide:

http://www.cosmomag.com/

factory service manual http://www.ecanfix.com/users/manualcd/gift/dsm/index.html

well the old school vipers are pretty uncivilized, I dunno about the new model coming out. I've heard different stories from porsche owners, but some say their springs are very stiff. anyway if you're into sacrificing comfort for performance I think you are joining the majority on this board. I'm definately in the minority on this one

2gnt: '99 RS-T, killed by a toyota, pending rebuild...
Daily: Volt
Daily #2: '99 EVG ebike- STOLEN by PEDRO

Maybe I need to ride in an eclipse with this shit on it so I know for sure if I will be able to survive the ride.

- ghost




Ghost's Beginning College Guide:

http://www.cosmomag.com/

factory service manual http://www.ecanfix.com/users/manualcd/gift/dsm/index.html

get some kidney insurance! my ride was harsh (illuminas/tokico springs) sways, ties... 17s, harsh harsh. gave me a headache sometimes... supercars can still be comfortable because... they cost a hell of a lot of money... and money can buy you comfortable performance parts.

2GNT Member #76, since Fall 1999

Drives: 2004 Mazda RX-8
Drove: 1999 Saab 9-5 SE
1999 Eclipse GS Hahn Stage 1

Super cars have the suspension already set when you buy it, then arent trying to reduce wheel gap like most of us, the have already been designed with good spring rates and more shock travel, what happens with the eclipse is people loose shock travel and go with a higher spring rate for better cornering.

I love my setup (koni yellows and maxspeed coilovers) Yes the ride is a bit bumpier than stock on bad roads but once you get on a nice highway its riding on rails. smooth as can be and the cornering is greatly improved.

If you want a close to stock ride and still be comfy then get koni yellows only, and use the extra perch which can lower the car 1" and you still retain stock springs for a nice ride.

1998 dodge avenger 4 cyl AT
Mods are:
Not enough

I think part of it has to do with suspension travel like mcgyvr said. We remove at least 1" in suspension travel trying to get the car to sit right and join that with a stiffer spring and you end up with a harsh ride. Also some of those cars have adjustable shocks to deal with varying road conditions. My old 300ZX had a switch to adjust teh shocks and the diffrence was really noticible, so if a POS '88 Z can do that I think an exotic can do better.

Also those cars are purpose built. Those cars are not designed for the masses and they know the owners are willing to put up with a slightly harsher ride for the sake of performance. While cars like our Eclipses where designed for the masses. And the masses want a smooth reliable ride and don't care much about performance.

-J