Lowering the center of gravity on any vehicle will make it feel more secure, all else equal. A 1" drop should be significant enough to make a noticeable difference in the feel of just about any car, IMO.
I agree, that being said - the stock vehicle is far from "unsafe", and implying that it is is absurd.
"I've had my Smart for a month and 750 miles now. I refused to allow my wife to drive it on the highway because of the way it swayed and was blown around by the wind."
Ah those poor incompetent woman, can't handle the wind.
But wait... My wife flies old taildrager airplanes, and in the crosswind, yet !
A2Jack.
Yeah, took a week or two to get used to the precise "feed back", as JohnH refers to it.
After that brief period, when one realizes the car is not going airborne, or the tires are not actually falling off, I actually now enjoy the inner ear stimulation my Smart affords me!
Try driving I-10 through Louisiana or I-65 through mid-northern Alabama. In the left lane you've got people doing 90 as a baseline. In the right lane you've got big rigs doing anywhere between 60-80, cars everywhere passing each other and all the trucks. I've just completed two of those trips - 8 hrs and 16 hrs respectively. Not once did I feel unsafe, but that's because I've done more than 750 miles. At first I did wonder about the safety because my trip back from the dealer was 600 miles on day two, with 20-30 mph winds preceding a named tropical storm. Again, I-10 from Houston to Mobile, driving anywhere from 50-80mph (breaking in new engine). The car does feel the wind of a passing truck, but I kept two hands on the wheel and never once left the lane.
This is not a cruiser you can drive hands-off while sending a text message. This is a hands-on driving machine. It's fun to drive, and as long as you pay attention, it's extremely stable at any speed, even through water or being passed on the left and right at the same time.
You've only had it for 750 miles, give it time and you'll learn it's a different kind of machine. In a good way.
I was nervous driving the rollerskate on the highway during winds when I first got it. Oddly it seemed more windy then.. Knowing from what others have said here, I knew not to over react to the winds. Still scared me a bit though, cause it was something I wasn't use to from driving a large sedan. Now it's second nature, and driving my other car isn't as, eh... stimulating.
Another stock suspension with 15K+ miles over the last 15 months, much of it on the NYC metro Interstates - no problems, no weird wiggles, etc. FWIW, to me it's even feels more stable than the Mercedes SUV in a crosswind.
i drive mine everyday on the highways and i pass transport trucks and busses and i dont feel anything shake only on a windy day it might skake a bit but you shouldnt worry to much cuz these things were built tough and heavy .....they weigh over 2000 lbs so they are glued to the ground and for the front spring,s that are junk made i already have a broken spring and i have lots of hard banging in the front going over bumps and rough road surfaces that i need to get these springs changed ....any one know where abouts to getting a set of front springs cuz i need them bad
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
tmater
Today
Linear Mode
