Matters

I bought a used 98 GS300 with about 130,000 kms (I dunno, is that 90k miles?). Anyway I bought the car because I do heaps of mileage and therefore wanted something comfortable and smooth. When I test drove the car it has 16 in but I paid extra for the 17 in wheels. I can't remember the ride being bad when I test drove it.

Anyway the ride absolutely sucks compared my ES300. It crashes over road joints and you feel every undulation in the road. Is this normal for a GS300 running 17s?

I drove an IS whilst my car was getting serviced and its ride was so much smoother - I was shocked because I thought the IS was more hardcore.

Is it the age and mileage of the car? Is there anything I can do? Is it me? Anyone suffering from the same problem.

I read that replacing the shocks with new ones will make the ride even firmer.

If I can't resolve it I think I'm going to trade it in for a 2001 ES300 or IS300. Maybe it's just me.

RNM GS3

GS with 17s has a stiff ride......Put the 16s on and the ride will be MUCH better.

The GS will never ride as comfortable as the ES because its RWD and it is a SPORT/luxury sedan.

If ur looking for something comfortable, just get the LS, nothing else comes close.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

but the ride can't be worse than the is300 with 17s. the is300 has much stiffer springs and shocks. my is300 stock rides stiff.

i wonder if your shocks are gone or something? i can't imagine the ride of the gs3 with 17s being that bad?

HKGS300

where are you located?

Can you describe more about how the suspension 'sucks'? Too soft? Too stiff? too bumpy? ...

I expect that your GS may need to replace some suspensions parts, like the balljoints, shocks, etc ..especially if the previous owner neglected maintenance.

RON430

GS can ride fairly harsh. Try getting a tire pressure gauge and see what the tires are set at and start reducing it. If that doesn't do it, the ES is for you.

NT2SHBBY

the GS on 17's rides pretty stiff, stock or aftermarket suspension


on 16's it rides MUCHHHHH better!!!!!!!!!

Matters

If the IS usually rides harsher than my GS3 then there must be a problem.

The ride 'sucks' in that it is really quite bumpy on all roads other than freeways (on freeways it's as smooth as glass).

When I think about it I get a lot of suspension noise as well, especially over joints in the road. The car has more body roll than I thought it would as well. Given what you guys are all saying I'm thinking I should change the shocks and keep my fingers crossed.

If I get no joy there then I think I might as well trade the sucker in. I thought I would be in love with the car (given that I'm a driving enthusiast), but strangely my ES300 (which has very low mileage) gives me more satisfaction.

Thanks for your help guys.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

well definitely check on teh shocks and see what's up. i can tell you for sure the is3 definitely rides harsher and much stiffer than a stock gs, there is no doubt. and if you have noise, i can only imagine something is wrong

HKGS300

before you decide to take any action ... first try out another GS300, e.g. a demo car and compare the ride with your existing one.

If the ride is very bumpy, likely the shocks are gone, but more need to be done ...

RON430

Test driving another GS3 is a great idea. Most people find the ride with worn shocks to be more comfortable than new shocks. But really worn shocks particularly where the oil has escaped, really make the suspension bang going over potholes, etc. If you drive the GS3, might as well go all the way and drive an ES at the same time. Same roads, different cars, you should be able to find out what you need to know.