+1

I used the Z as a daily commuter and loved it. About 120 miles daily round-trip which accumulated about 20k miles at the time. I LOVED the firm ride. It reminded me of what type of car I was driving. I love feeling the road. It is rewarding. Enjoy every moment I drive it for the last 3 years.

The only thing I initially had to adapt to was buying coffee and putting it in the cup holder. The suspension would remind me how firm it was by spurting the coffee high out of the spout as soon as I left the driveway... even at a snails pace. Spilled coffee was at first frustrating, but the ride of the car never was

 

While what I am about to say runs counter to trend with most Z owners, I suspect that much of the ride harshness is a function of the wheel diameter, wheel width and tire profile. Given my experience with an 04 Z and 01 Volvo T5, I'd say that ride might improve simply by going from the 18" rims and tires to 17s. There have been similar conversations on a Volvo site where some owners complained of ride harshness when using 17" wheels vice 16s on the S60 sedans. Of course by switching to larger diameter rims, one will sacrifice performance for comfort, but it's rare that a single car can offer everything.

 

I use the Z to commute 20 plus miles each way... dont' notice much...I might be used to my previous car, Integra which I lower almost 2inches... that was a bumpy ride.....great car.though.... but i hav no problem...I love my Z... I enjoy driving my z any time.... you think the Z is hard.... try to ride on the M113 or Armor Personel Carrier (APC), or a HMMWV M1025 (humvee) in Iraq for a yr.. now that's stiff ride....lol..........................

 

I guess, but yeah its a sports car its what you want. I have a Maxima as my daily driver but I drive that Z everywhere and anytime I can. I avoid rain and dirty conditions and store it winters. I do take it out every once in a while in winter on dry day though.

 

I gotta agree that if you think the ride is too stiff you shouldn't have bought the car. What did you think you were buying, an SUV? Quit sniveling and get used to it or get a different car. What's next, I didn't realize the exhaust made so much noise when I step on the gas?

 

I knew he was going to get RIPPED for this one~ LOL

 

i dont mind the slight harshness, but when i break hard, and hit rough patches, or potholes, i seriously feel bad for the suspension as the car chatters over them, maybe its cause the fluid in my shocks arent warm, and i havent driven it in a while. shell only get better with age!! hehhheheh

 

my previous cars, 91 Mustang GT, 92 300ZX TT, 98 Camaro SS. After driving these cars, my Z feels like a friggin luxuary car.

 

hahaha i think you guys really scared him off.. it was like his 3-4th post in the forum.. LOL his not even responding.. lets be nice guys~ LOL

 

I actually liked the ride of my '88 Vette. I handled like it was on rails and didn't have the jouncy ride like I'm experiencing in the Z. So I don't think it's the "sports car" thing as much as it's the particular tuning on the Z.

 

I bought the Z cause I knew it was a sports car, and because I new the suspension was stiff, hell, I'd like to get a stiffer suspension but I can't right now. If i didnt like the stiff suspension of a sports car, I would've bought a lincoln or cadillac. Or maybe a neon

 

hmm,.. different strokes for different folks. If you planned on driving a sports car as a daily driver you should of known what a "sports car" suspension feels like. Not implying bad judgement... just saying it's not the car. It's my daily driver on an 04 and I love it to death.

 

I've got stock '05 as my daily driver/grocery getter/ etc. Suspension seems fine to me. I am glad to feel every bump in the road, but it hasn't ever been so jarring that it I've felt uncomfortable. I've driven in it for about 4 hours straight (between L.A. and Vegas) and it was far from uncomfortable. It was probably the most fun I've had driving there (and back).

Maybe you need to drive faster and glide over some of those bumps

 

I drive everyday to and from school, ~30 min drive each way. I think the ride is perfect

 

I'm a young, 25 year old professional and had my Z for a couple months. I have driven a Z32 NA many times(my brother own's one) and it didnt seem as stiff.

Most of my constant bouncing, I finally figured out, is on the elevated freeways in which I commute on in the Chareleston area. It's when I hit an expansion joint I start to bounce, then 2 seconds later another joint. You get the picture. On regular roads it's fine. I guess my RX-7 isnt a real sports car, lol.

And Yes I did test drive the car, although I did fail to drive it on the interstate where I have my problems now. I'm not going to spend 36K for a car and not test drive it. Oh, well, I guess if I want to drive it every day I have to get used to it.

 

trade ur Z for a BMW or Benz!

 

First of all, which suspension you have has a good deal to do with how harsh the ride is (03-04.5 or 04.5+). I have driven many cars and none have been as stiff as this car stock. And no I don't just drive Lexus's, my previous car was a 2000 Porsche Carrera 4 and before that I had a modified S54 BMW M coupe. The C4 was riding on 19's and was MUCH smother then the early 350z suspensions and trust me it handled better then a stock Z. A car does not have to be super stiff to handle well and you definitely do not want bounce.

I love my Z but if you are unhappy with the ride you can definitely make it better and make the car handle better by changing some things. As always, modification is meant to change a stock car into something YOU like better.

 

+1

 

[QUOTE=jcpeyton]I found the stock ride too soft, too mushy in the turns w/ too much body roll, and too porpoisey (I know it's not a real word) on the I-10. QUOTE]


i agree with you, ive autocrossed with the stock suspension and wheels, and would like something stiffer once i get some more bucks. i think the ride is perfect. but then again, coming from my honda which i made super stiff, the Z feels like a lexus to me. ha ha

 

100 miles a day, every day. My 3rd Z and the ride is exactly what it's supose to be. I love these cars!