But I still love it
Stiff Ride on a 97 SC300. Normal?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: California
Stiff Ride on a 97 SC300. Normal?
I am a first time owner of a 'sports' car, 97-SC300. Is it normal for the SC300 to be ALOT stiffer than a 92 Camry? I drove my Camry for 12 years with no mods and the ride was very smooth. This SC300 has only 47K miles and it rides like a truck, very bumpy/stiff/sensitive. I notice every fwy lane change. My mechanic (not the dealer) says is normal. Any opinions?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 3
From: Texas
wow, your camry must have been SUPER soft, stock SC's float like boats- its due to their luxury aspect. If you think thats rough, you should take a ride in some of our cars! In all honesty, the stock ride is not very "sporty" at all. Have you made sure that you are on OEM shocks? Perhaps the old owner replaced old worn out shocks with something stiffer??? But that wouldnt be enough of a change to really stoffen up the ride that your talking about. I bet your just used to the ride of your old camry which must have just "floated". you will soon get used to the SC3's suspension, then want to really stiffen it! 
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: California
Most likely you are right. It is what i remember about the Camry and not the SC
My wife's car is a linlcon Navigator and that really floats on air.
I will try to find an SC owner to drive my car just to be sure. I have the entire car's history and no, they
never replaced anything on the car. Thanks for the reply.
My wife's car is a linlcon Navigator and that really floats on air.
I will try to find an SC owner to drive my car just to be sure. I have the entire car's history and no, they
never replaced anything on the car. Thanks for the reply.
Camry suspension is SOFT. When I first bought my car, I was surprised at the exhaust noise, engine noise, and "stiff" suspension. I was expecting the advertised "Lexus" ride (vault on wheels) and was very pleasantly surprised... and this was back in 1992! I agree, you're probably just used to the soft ride of the Camry, which in my opinion is very soft...kind of like a big american boat-on-wheels.
Trending Topics
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
I was like you and bought my SC not knowing what to expect besides maybe a soft ride; I was wrong, and after checking it out I came to find out that the car shares it's suspension geometry(and many parts) with the Supra/SupraTT(VERY good cornering true sports car).
After this I decided that since the car was never going to truly ride all that nice, even though it was pretty floaty, and the handling was scary, to just replace the worn out SC parts with SupraTT components that were better tuned(thought out) to the geometry/travel of the suspension. All that cost around $200 for parts(springs/shocks/rear swaybar) off of some kid's lowered Supra.
Be carefull if you decide to go around any fast corners, that stock rear suspension bottoms out and sends the car into an instant slide.
After this I decided that since the car was never going to truly ride all that nice, even though it was pretty floaty, and the handling was scary, to just replace the worn out SC parts with SupraTT components that were better tuned(thought out) to the geometry/travel of the suspension. All that cost around $200 for parts(springs/shocks/rear swaybar) off of some kid's lowered Supra.
Be carefull if you decide to go around any fast corners, that stock rear suspension bottoms out and sends the car into an instant slide.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally posted by WestOne
Camrys are way softer than SCs. If you want the lexus floaty boat feeling, the LS will impress.
Camrys are way softer than SCs. If you want the lexus floaty boat feeling, the LS will impress.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
