I recently bought this used 2002 TL-S with 82,000 miles on it.
However, I started feeling that the car is kinda bouncy or it does not absorb the shock from the road with some small bumps. I can probably say that they are bouncy and stiff.
Is this the way TL-S rides like? I couldn't have my coffee while driving because I was about to spill coffee everywhere.
What is your opinion?
I am trying to find out if it normally ride like this or my shocks are bad, which does not seem to be bad.

 

At 82,000 miles, it's quite likely that the struts are worn out.

Do a quick test -- while the car is parked on level ground, push down in each corner quick and hard. If it comes up and settles right away, then it's still good. But if it seems to bounce a bit before settling down, then that means you are going to have to replace the struts.

 

You mention bouncy and stiff...

Is it really that the ride is "bouncy"? Or is it "stiff" and "harsh"...that you tend to feel more bumps than you would imagine a luxury car would feel?

If it is the former, then you may have worn shocks/struts...

If it is the latter, then it's about right... The TL-S is a stiffer suspension than the TL-P... It has a different suspension, bigger wheels and lower profile sidewall tires...

 

True, but even then, the Type-S still feels really cushy. Damn suspension is meant for old people (sorry ) and their comfy ride.

Put on Comptech sway bars, and lower it on Tein SS at the stiffest setting, then let's talk about a stiff ride.

 

Agreed... stock will feel too cushy for those of us that enjoy and expect a postive connection to the road...

But if you expect a limo ride with a suspension that absorbs the shocks (shielding you from the road), the Type-S is relatively harsher than many cars that come "out of the box"...

Personally, I need the positive connection to the road...

 

Yup, I already have tested them by pushing each corners, and they seem to be normal.

 

The reason I felt the car is bouncy is because I had a 99 CL before I got this TL-S.
CL felt much more comfortable without feeling the road like TL-S does.
It is not that horrible bouncy but bouncy compare to CL.
So, you guys are saying that your tl's ride is smooth?
I was trying to say the car rides stifer than what I thought about being a luxury car.
Can you guys have coffee or something while driving? I couldn't because the car bonced.

 

I keep a lid on my coffee cup!

That being said, without the springs it was fine. Certainly stiffer than a '99 Camry we had. Has a lot more road feel than even an '02 TL-P. But when stock, it was a performace sedan that was perfectly acceptable. Modified, I find it to be more 'bouncy' with the springs, but again, I use a lid with my coffee.

 

Yeah, it would be stiffer than the '99 CL. It's tuned for comfort, but at the same time, it handles decently well and rides a bit stiffer than most other "comfortable luxury cars."

As for having coffee, if there's no lid on it, then I would definitely be spilling everywhere. Then again, just about any car would make you spill coffee on bumpy roads.