Overly harsh ride

[jtvang125]

Not sure if it's just the age of the car but ever since driving/riding in my brother's recently acquired 99 Acura Integra GSR I've always thought it rode overly harsh. Every bump is like a loud bang, like hitting a deep pothole. I mentioned this to him and suggested checking his tire pressure. They were slightly high and he brought them down to 32 all around. It's not as bad but still noticeable. Car is stock everything on factory 17s and tire size.

Even my BMW on 19s with Sport suspension isn't as bad. I don't have anything close to compare it to at the moment but I'll see if I can drive my other brother's civic when I visit this weekend.

 

[jlee]

You went from a BMW to a Honda...and quite possibly one with worn-out suspension. I'm not surprised.

 

[shabby]

Maybe the springs were cut to lower the height so you hit the bump stops over every bump?

 

[Naeeldar]

99 - how many miles do the shocks/struts have? Could be very simple issue to be honest.

 

[Ramses]

something probly worn out, but those two cars will demonstrate the difference in a BMW and a Honda, even a nice one, ime.

 

[exar333]

Integras weren't exactly made for a comfy ride to begin with. Add 15 years of wear, and probably some hard driving, and it's going to get worse. Replace key suspension parts and it could be at least close to what it originally was.

 

[Charmonium]

I have a Civic Si with very low miles and it's definitely a hard ride - a lot harder than most people would probably prefer. Personally I like it, although I'm not sure I could tell you why.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The GS-R model was the sporty trim level for the Integra, so you're dealing with a car that came from the factory with a rather stiff suspension and that isn't very heavy. Neither of those is going to help ride quality.

On top of that, as time has gone by, the GS-R models have tended to be the ones that got modified (too often with less-than-stellar results), which generally meant that the owners stiffened the suspension and worsened an already rather stiff ride.

ZV

 

[pauldun170]

I would be shocked if any Integra remained in unmolested condition.
There is something in the headliner that when mixed with hormones results in the owner going full retard mode on the car.

 

[exar333]

The GS-R model was the sporty trim level for the Integra, so you're dealing with a car that came from the factory with a rather stiff suspension and that isn't very heavy. Neither of those is going to help ride quality.

On top of that, as time has gone by, the GS-R models have tended to be the ones that got modified (too often with less-than-stellar results), which generally meant that the owners stiffened the suspension and worsened an already rather stiff ride.

ZV

Definitely this.

Obligatory 'VTEC just kicked-in yo' comment.

 

[NutBucket]

Plus Honda has always tended to favor handling over ride quality. Even in '99, most were quite frugal with the sound dampening materials....