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What terminology means a soft ride?

I don't need a new car now but I will and I want to understand terminology.

I want a car with soft ride so I will not feel the bumps.

One article refered to base, touring, performance and R/T (or Super Sport?) suspension.

And I thought that was the key, but the topic went to body roll. I'm happy if I don't lose control on turns, but that seems unrelated to not feeling the bumps and that is my goal.

So if those 4 words are not measures of level of soft ride, what do I look for?

If I end up with harder ride than I like, can it be softened by replacing the shocks? Do I have to do springs too? (I know about tire sidewall height, and if the car has 17" wheels, I'll be unlikely to buy it unless there is nothing else.)

For a short while I had a 2004 Sebring Convertible, and I felt every bump, every speed bump and hump, like never before. I thought it would ride like a Lebaron, because it's also "compact" and a convertible, but it was terrible instead. Fortunately for me, the engine blew after 1 month, and I had to buy another car. Now my world is back to normal. (I never drove a convertible to be sporty. I like the view and the breeze on my face.)

Reply to
micky
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micky explained :

Is it the bumps as transmitted to you by the seat which concerns you, or is it the vibrations through the steering wheel?

It will always be a trade-off between comfort and handling no matter what you do.

This might help:

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Reply to
FromTheRafters

I've been using Autotrader in my search for a pickup. They have a section for research. The most comfortable vehicles for under $30,000

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Consumer Reports is a good source of information. I might not follow their advice on a particular subject but they mention things I wouldn't have thought about. They give items a score. I think perfect would be 100. They list several things like reliability, ride, and noise in their vehicle ratings. The Honda Ridgeline scored 80, the Jeep Gladiator 65, the Toyota 51 in their ratings. I didn't realize Honda even made a pickup. The price range for it is about $34,000 to $43,000. They will refer one to Truecare. Truecar wants a contact number to give more detailed pricing. A lot of the articles I've seen in other places about pickups discuss off roading. Uh,huh. I'd bet that most of the pickups seldom see gravel roads, much less dirt roads.

Reply to
Dean Hoffman

You can't beat an '83 LeBaron Town & Country for style and comfort.

Reply to
Jon Voight

Yes, Jon, I know you liked that car. Cramer thought he was buying from you but I think it was some other guy witht he same name.

Reply to
micky

My 88 Eldorado had a nice unbumpy ride, but it tended to wallow in mountain driving. I sent it to the wreckers because it tried to kill me once too often.

Throttle problem, apparently unfixable due to parts no longer being available even at local wrecking yards. Yes, I had witnesses. Fortunately it had good brakes.

Reply to
The Real Bev

Have you considered a motorcycle?

Reply to
Jim Joyce

A Honda Gold Wing trike?

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Reply to
Dean Hoffman

There was an Eldorado convertible for sale when I bought my Buick Centurion, in 1980, but I thought it would make me look too fancy. It needed repairs to maybe. I sort of wish I'd bought it.

Maybe it would have killed me.

Reply to
micky

The seat. I've never noticed the steering wheel.

That's okay. I'll give up on handling if I can have comfort.

I'm looking at it now.

Reply to
micky

Maybe it was a REAL throttle in 1980... I'll never buy another GM product or even accept one as a gift. I wish my mom had asked me before buying it, I would have told her to get a Lexus or something.

Reply to
The Real Bev

Those are incredibly mushy, but the Continental of a few years earlier is even mushier. Huge pigs wallowing all over the road... you could drive right over the curb and not know it because the suspension is so soft. And you probably will since there's so much backlash in the steering.

--scott

Reply to
Scott Dorsey

On 29 Nov 2020 14:29:44 -0000, Scott Dorsey posted for all of us to digest...

To OP

Touring is the term. Like taking a Sunday drive with all the people cussing behind you. :)

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