Sport vs. Non-Sport Suspension

[buddyrough]

My 2001 Acura CL S is the perfect combination of a firmer ride and great suspension so that on a long trip I don't get beat up but feel like I am in good control - no sway. I like a firm feel for the road with a tighter than normal suspension but when I drove the G37 coupe/sedan sport version it seemed a bit harsh and that perhaps it was too hard.

For those of you that have tried both sport and non, and for those who own the sport, how does it feel after a long drive? I'm leaning towards the sport but am a little concerned.

Any comments on your experiences would be appreciated.

Rod B.

[joe603]

My only complaint is the seat. Not made for my 230lb body...the ride is a bit hard, but I like it that way. On the highway, it feels great! The variable electronic steering is terrific. Plus, with the sport package, you get upgraded brakes...which are SWEET!

[telcoman]

My 2001 Acura CL S is the perfect combination of a firmer ride and great suspension so that on a long trip I don't get beat up but feel like I am in good control - no sway. I like a firm feel for the road with a tighter than normal suspension but when I drove the G37 coupe/sedan sport version it seemed a bit harsh and that perhaps it was too hard.

For those of you that have tried both sport and non, and for those who own the sport, how does it feel after a long drive? I'm leaning towards the sport but am a little concerned.

Any comments on your experiences would be appreciated.

Rod B.

I've made five round trips (1230 mi each way) between NJ and Florida

We stop for one night so 600 mi and 12 hours behind the wheel has been a comfortable experience. The wife can't pass a mall without stopping so stops at Smithfield, NC Vero Beach, and St Augustine Florida break up the drive which is why 600 miles takes 12 hours.The G is a very comfortable vehicle to drive long distances.

Telcoman

[SVTCOBRA]

My 2001 Acura CL S is the perfect combination of a firmer ride and great suspension so that on a long trip I don't get beat up but feel like I am in good control - no sway. I like a firm feel for the road with a tighter than normal suspension but when I drove the G37 coupe/sedan sport version it seemed a bit harsh and that perhaps it was too hard.

For those of you that have tried both sport and non, and for those who own the sport, how does it feel after a long drive? I'm leaning towards the sport but am a little concerned.

Any comments on your experiences would be appreciated.

Rod B.

When we were test driving new G37's this summer, I LOVED the ride of the S but could not get comphy in the seat.

Did you by chance check the tire pressure of the car you test drove???I've found that some dealers put WAY too much air in them.......take a gauge with you next time.

I ALWAYS adjust the tire pressure to what I would keep in them before driving something I'm serious about..........which means sometimes I just want to test drive something for fun!!

[Kendahl]

I have a 2008 G37S which comes with the sport suspension. It is quite stiff. However, bumps seem not to have much effect on me. I think this is because the car has a fairly long wheelbase and the driver's seat is in the middle.

The first summer after I bought the car, my wife and I took it on vacation. The trip out was 640 miles and the trip back 700. (The trip back was longer because of a detour to check out the road used for the Sandhills Open Road Challenge in central Nebraska.) Both were done in one day. At the end, we were in good shape. I have made similar trips, in cars with softer suspensions, that were far more tiring.

I have found that cabin noise is a major contributor to fatigue on long trips. Although it doesn't isolate you like a Lexus, the G37 is pretty quiet. Tire noise isn't too bad and the engine intrudes only at full throttle in the upper half of the rpm range. Before deciding on the G37, I test drove Porsche Caymans and 911s. All of the Porsches had much more tire noise and, after an hour in two Caymans, I was sick of the engine drone.

Your best bet is to test drive G37s with base and sport suspensions, back to back, over a route that includes some rough spots. See if the bumps are annoying with the sport suspension but not the base. My test route had a piece of interstate with some overpasses that had real drops at the ends of the elevated sections. Also, look for highways where the transitions between concrete panels are rough.

[yamilrx]

I have a 2008 G37S which comes with the sport suspension. It is quite stiff. However, bumps seem not to have much effect on me. I think this is because the car has a fairly long wheelbase and the driver's seat is in the middle.

The first summer after I bought the car, my wife and I took it on vacation. The trip out was 640 miles and the trip back 700. (The trip back was longer because of a detour to check out the road used for the Sandhills Open Road Challenge in central Nebraska.) Both were done in one day. At the end, we were in good shape. I have made similar trips, in cars with softer suspensions, that were far more tiring.

I have found that cabin noise is a major contributor to fatigue on long trips. Although it doesn't isolate you like a Lexus, the G37 is pretty quiet. Tire noise isn't too bad and the engine intrudes only at full throttle in the upper half of the rpm range. Before deciding on the G37, I test drove Porsche Caymans and 911s. All of the Porsches had much more tire noise and, after an hour in two Caymans, I was sick of the engine drone.

Your best bet is to test drive G37s with base and sport suspensions, back to back, over a route that includes some rough spots. See if the bumps are annoying with the sport suspension but not the base. My test route had a piece of interstate with some overpasses that had real drops at the ends of the elevated sections. Also, look for highways where the transitions between concrete panels are rough.

Wow this is a very thorough description of the suspension and ride. I wish I had read your reply earlier. I had similar concerns about the rough suspension and the cabin noise. Both seem rough and loud compared to my prior BMW 528i.

[buddyrough]

Well, drove my Acura CL S over the same roads yesterday with the G37 Sport and Journey coupes. I was surprised but liked the Journey ride better, it was firm enough. The Sport with the low profile tires created too much road noise and combined with the ride, I chose the Journey In a way, disappointed, sort of wanted to sell myself on the Sport.

Details of the VPP results under Joe's sticky thread

[jtla]

Did you by chance check the tire pressure of the car you test drove???I've found that some dealers put WAY too much air in them.......take a gauge with you next time.

I ALWAYS adjust the tire pressure to what I would keep in them before driving something I'm serious about..........which means sometimes I just want to test drive something for fun!!

Exactly!! I was also concerned about the ride quality of G37 Sprot and went to dealership for a test drive. The suspension was firm but not too hard. The ride was close to that of a non-sport Journey. So I decided to get the Sport Package.

Two days later, I purchased my car, which was a different car from the one I had test driven. The ride on my way home was unbearably harsh. It did come through my mind that I might have made the wrong decision, but I suspected the tire pressure. As soon as I got home, I got my electronic gauge out. Guess what? 42 PSI!!! Granted, the tires were warm after 20 miles, so maybe 40 PSI when cold. The next morning, I adjusted all 4 tires to the factory recommended 33 PSI. Now the ride quality is as sweet as it gets.

In retrospect, I was lucky that I did not test drive the car I bought. Otherwise, I would have decided against the Sport. So, my advice: bring tire pressure gauge with you when test driving your perspective vehicles.

[ijahman]

No disrespect at all

Having always tuned my cars, the G37s suspension is not harsh at all, to me its a little soft and would like it firmer and that is in the plans. Also the ideal of the sport is just that...Sport if you want soft get a ES350, the same goes for people complaining about the road noise. The ride should be firm, the exhaust should be heard...