Hi Everyone,

I currently drive a Honda Fit Sport. It drives great, super reliable, but is bumpy as HELL.

I had a concussion a few years ago, and the bumps on a long drive really hurt my head now.

I need a reliable, very smooth riding vehicle for under $10,000.

What would you recommend?

 

Some sort of 90s LS

 

2006 ES330 comes to mind

 

The last model year LS 430 (2005/2006 or so, without the sport suspension) would be a very good starting point - extremely comfortable, extremely well-built and likely still very reliable. You should find a lot of cars roughly around your budget.

 

90's is too old for me. Plus here in Wisconsin it's probably rusted. Thanks though.

 

Smoothest? A 4.6 Crown Vic/Lincoln town car with the sway bars removed.......

Or an LS430/460 with the small tire option and removing the front sway on the 460

 

I see you are a new poster......welcome to CL.

My first recommendation is an older Camry or Lexus ES, with the tallest-possible sidewall-tire-package that it come with stock. Larger Buicks and Lincolns are also quite smooth-riding, but, in general, are not built quite as well. Cadillacs were, at one time, among the smoothest/quietest on the road, but the division, even with standard models, basically sold out to the sport-oriented crowd.


And, for the smoothest ride possible on any vehicle, make sure that the tire PSIs are not substantially above the recommended PSI when cold....sitting out of the sun for at least three hours.

 

Thank you!
A used 2007 RX350 brought me here
(Considering buying it)

Maybe I don't need the absolute smoothest ride, as those cars are a bit bigger than what I'm after. I guess I'd like one level down from that. Preferably a "little" bit more sporty looking if possible.
How would a 2010 IS250 be?
I am considering the 2006 era Camry.

I did want an SUV though.
I was thinking the 2007 RX350 might be pretty smooth?

 

No they aren't that smooth, get something like a suburban for a boat like ride. The IS is a sport focused car while the ES is smooth focused

 

$10k? used avalon or ES 2007-2008 high mileage... so comfy like that favorite couch you've had for 20 yrs and can never throw out

 

Also know that this will be hugely dependent upon the condition of said used vehicle, which can vary significantly given the age/price that you're targeting. Blown shocks or worn springs are probably more common than not at this price.

 

The smaller cars you are suggesting will not ride nearly as well as the larger ones that have been suggested.

As another option, the lowest cost option if you otherwise like your Honda would be to explore softer springs and more comfort- oriented tires. You'll never get it to the ride quality of other cars that have been suggested, though.

Also, check your tire pressures. If your tires are over-inflated it will significantly deteriorate ride quality. Try running them with a cold pressure that's a little below the recommended pressure.

 

There you go.....smooth ride that seats four adults & their bags......I wouldn't turn down a 3mz powered rx either....'04-'09....as well as the rx400h

 

Do not suggest the IS, it's not a smooth ride much more sport oriented. Suggests above are great, I've been in most of those, like driving a couch boat.

From what you said I bet an ES would be great. I still think about getting an old one for about 10k often. It's smooth enough, more than IS and probably more than the RX too.

 

I see a ton of ES 330's for under $10k and most of those have less than 100k miles. That's arguably the smoothest riding ES ever. The LS models, while possibly slightly smoother riding, are quite a bit more expensive to own.