hades281

I have a bone stock IS250 (RWD, Auto, without X-package) with 40k miles... As the years have rolled on, I have found myself beginning to dream about a more involving, more satisfying driving experience. It's my first car with an auto transmission, which I fear is part of the problem. But anyway:

I think the area needing the most improvement is steering feel. What can I do to make it feel less numb, less overboosted? For what its worth the alignment is good, and the tires have plenty of life left (18" Hankook V112s).

At high speeds (lets say 85+), the steering is too light to inspire confidence in stability.

Secondly, what gains would I make in driving satisfaction from suspension upgrades? Honestly the car seems to handle quite well out of the box -- I have no complaints (at least for now) regarding suspension damping, spring rate, etc except to say that inital impacts over road imperfections can be a bit jarring at times. I don't want a soft car, but perhaps better suspension tuning could round off the hardest impacts without turning the car into a boat.

I don't autocross, and I really don't beat on the car. I just want to add some joy to my commute. What can I do?

Thanks for any insight :-)

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

Coil overs, wider tires, steering damper, oh yeah sway bars and body kit. That what just u r looking for.. hope that help

whitebeast

iTrader: (5)

All you need is sway bar set and Steering damper

hades281

I forgot to mention, I do have the steering damper installed - it's my only mod - but honestly I didn't notice much difference at all.

Mv350

iTrader: (23)

megan racing LP series coils run close to stock when not dropped stupid low. just get the rear f-sport bar, and fsport chassis brace. the front doesnt really make a difference. and the IS-F steering damper. the hankooks you have are perfect. your body roll should be close to gone where you want it, and itll ride a tad stiffer but still comfy

AMSMiTH

iTrader: (1)

You say the F-sport bar is only worth getting the rear only, can you explain that? I've been looking at opinions of bars and most people say the Daizen sets are the best but theres a big difference in $...

Great thread - exactly why I registered, to ask same questions thanks.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

Daizen doesn't even make sways for the 2IS-

http://www.daizensporttuning.com/pro...-upgrades.html

The F-sport bars are the ones you want.... and I'd recommend both personally.... the limited number of folks who've done just the rear, then later added the front all had basically this to say:

Stock F/R-> Stock F/F-sport rear= very significant, noticeable improvement

Stock F/F-sport rear-> F-sport F/R= also a noticeable improvement, though not as big a one

chikoo

If it feels floaty, agreed it will not inspire confidence.

I do not feel like that with my 18" turanza er30 setup.

OTOH, i have had cars with heavier steering than the is250 and they actually felt scary, let alone inspire confidence.

itruns

Tagged, I'm chasing this myself...working on somethings..

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Seems like the same recommendation comes up every time...

While these mods (coils, sways, etc) help with handling, they aren't going to give you more steering feedback. Yes, you do feel more of the road through your pants, but that's not the same as steering feedback.

Want slightly heavier steering? Find a way to increase your caster angle. Of course there is such a thing as having too much caster.