Moodie

OK, I drive a 350Z with Tein Flex coilovers. My wife now drives a 2001 SAAB 9-5 Aero. Her lease is up and we test drove the TL. I like it a lot, but she felt it was too bumpy. How do I convince her to get the TL? The 9-5 Aero has sport suspension, but I do agree the TL ride is not as soft as the Aero.

Any female owners here and your take on the ride?

Want to join the TL family, but this is my wife's car, so I got to let her have "some" say......:p :o

Here is what I drive....

opus

That's easy. Take your Z on the way to test drive the TL. The TL will feel like it's riding on 4 marshmellows compared to your Z. I replaced my 03 Z with a TL and am glad I did. The ride is one of the biggest reasons.

KevinB

Do what I did. I bought my wife's new car while she was on travel. I don't actually advocate doing this. It's not as bad as it sounds, we had basically agreed on what to get and she didn't care about the details.

Does she like the car other than the ride? Is the ride a little bumpy to her or just completely unacceptable? My experience is that you get used to what you drive pretty quickly unless you absolutely hate it. The TL is not really that stiff of a suspension (not compared to your 350Z). If she does not like the interior and/or exterior styling as well, I think you are fighting a losing battle.

Good luck.

mobilezen

I love a stiff suspension. I have h&r sport springs on tokico illuminas on my accord coupe ready to be pulled out...getting ready for my "next car" fund.

So you say you drive a 350z...looks like you drive a red x

Tecworld

I want to make it even harsher.

catsailr

I don't think my 04TL rides as good as the 2000TL I traded in on it, but I like the feel of the ride and handling much better. To me a firmer ride is much less tiring than one that floats along. I hate my mother-in-law's Buick LeSabre.

mobilezen

I drove my friend's G35c.... talk about floaty. Maybe I was too used to my tuned suspension. who knows.

Nicki

I am a woman and I do not feel the ride is too stiff or bumpy. I hate the tires but the suspension is fine. I have a 6MT

TLover

Wow. I think the TL's ride is actually too soft, especially at freeway speeds -- it feels like the car is floating.

digital_b

no way the ride is soft. its bumpy over bad pavement but thats to be expected. its perfect on the highway or smooth pavement. I dont understand the masochists who insist on messing up the ride.

Moodie

I am fine with the ride, it's the wife who thinks the ride is harsh.....

TLover

Hey, it's all relative. I've driven 93 RX-7 TT, 95 M3 Lightweight, 02 M3 ... it's way soft compared to those cars.

digital_b

yes but its not those cars. and not everyone want to ride like a buckboard.

TLover

Who said I wanted it to ride like a "buckboard?" I gave my opinion on the ride. You assume I'm going to change it. Ease off. Geez.

Obviously some people think the ride is too soft as well, otherwise no one would buy the A-SPEC kit with the STIFFER suspension.

UminChu

This may not be what you want to hear, but I think you're looking at this the wrong way. You obviously like the TL more than she does. I've driven the 9-5, and I agree. But to each their own, and if it's going to be her car, the one she'll live with and drive the most, then she has a right to her own preferences and opinions.

You have your Z, you're a happy camper, right? Do you really want to manipulate her opinion and talk her into a car she might regret later? Besides, even though it may not coincide with your first choice, wouldn't you rather see her behind the wheel of the car she likes the best?

rets

Depend on which cars you try to compare with. IMO, I did feel 04TL had the stiff ride in my test-drives and my first 3k miles driving, but after that, I start to feel it's ok. Perhaps, it's softened/tuned better after the long drive.

Still, lots of ppl do feel it's too soft.

Moodie

I agree!!! She does like it, but she said it's stiff compared to her 9-5. We'll see..... :p

digital_b

I would like to see the differences in age insofar as who thinks its a soft/hard ride. I bet its the youngsters who think its soft.

Moodie

I have no problem with the ride being a little stiff...

jattilicious

I'm a female and I think the ride is perfect...i think that it handles great, it is a little bumpy, but i prefer a stiffer ride instead of the floating feeling...it feels stronger and more powerful!! floating cars feel weak!

digital_b

not to argue jattilicious but you must not have driven an ls 430. its a bit detached but far from weak.

Lore

I drove my old Camry for a little while this weekend and I realized how much softer that ride was compared to my TL. And I used to think it was pretty rough going over the bumps and what not! I've grown to really like the stiffness of the TL.