Swap HF Coil Springs in 2013 LX for softer/smoother cheaper S rated tires for $125 ?
 

I am new to this forum. I just picked up a new 2013 Civic LX Auto for $17,000 plus taxes. I really like my Civic except I feel that it has a bit firmer ride than I am used to. I drive 3 hours per day - 120 miles per day which is about 30,000 miles per year so I need a safe cheap commuting car that I can put tons of miles on it and get rid of it. I got the cheaper Civic for good MPG and having rood ride quality would be really nice. The new Accord does have really good ride quality.

My LX has H rated horrible riding Firestone Affinity Touring Tires and I know my car will feel like I am riding on a Jell-O if I swap to an S rated tires. Bad rods in Indiana makes things even worse! My 2000 Accord LX-V6 called for V rated tires and tried the T rated defender. While the ride was soft & smooth, the car felt really unstable at highway speed. I ended up with H rated MXV4 and it was just fine.

While I may go from H to a T rated tires from my Civic, I did noticed that the HF Models are equipped with S rated 195/65-15 tires. As it turns out the shocks are the same but the springs are different for LX with H rated tires and the HF with S rated tires. The spring rates are matched to the speed rating of the tires – stiffness of side walls. The softer the side walls of tires, the softer the springs.

I have not driven the HF yet and may go to the dealer and see how it rides. For $125, I can get all 4 Coil Springs from Majestic Honda and swap it out myself for softer smoother ride. The added benefit would be cheaper S rated replacement tires in the future. With 30,000 miles/year, I need to replace tire every 2 years!

Has anyone driven the HF?

Does the HF rides “softer” than the LX ?

Thanks

Waid

I drove a 2013 HF today and it sure does drive much nicer than the LX! It had S rated 195/65-15 Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 tires and soaks up bumps much better. I assume it had softer springs to match the softer tires. The springs for the HF will run me $146 with shipping and handling. The rear springs are easy since they are not coilovers but will need spring compressor for the front. Going to wait little bit until it warms up a little before I swap them out.

It is interesting to note that 2013 LX and EX had the same front springs but not the HF. The HF front springs used in 2013 are now the same for 2014 LX and EX! Too stiff for LX and EX? According to the online catalog at College Hills Honda, in 2012, the HF, LX and the EX had the same front springs.

Waid

I have a 2012 HF and after 58k, I think that the suspension -SUCKS! It's unstable at freeways speeds.....SO I have no idea why you would say the HF suspension is good.
Then, some like driving a car with pillows down the street.

You are correct, the Civic's ride quality sucks. I am so glad to hear from you that HF rides also sucks and I did not waste time changing shocks!

The ride suck so bad, I traded the Civic in just 3 weeks for a new 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback with 6-Speed Manual! Bought the Civic LX for $17,000 and I got $17,000 in trade. Mazda 3 was $20,000 and paid $19,000.

The Mazda 3 is rated at 40 mpg on highway and I am getting 41.5 average with a bigger 2.0 direct injection motor and more horsepower. Yes the Mazda 3 rides my old bigger 2000 Accord LX-V6. Smooth and quite and handles really well. My only regret with the Mazda 3 is that I did not get the higher trim version with more bells and whistles. I wish I drove it before I bought the Civic. After having it for 4 months now, I love the car. The versatility of the hatch is awesome!

All I can say is what Bloomberg says: Mazda has sprinkled engineering magic dust into that charming chassis: it rides as well as cars twice its price.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...its-price.html

Go ahead and test drive it. You will be surprised and you may trade your crappy Civic!

Waid

http://mazda3houston.com/wp-content/...k_overview.png

http://mazda3houston.com/wp-content/...r_exterior.png

You made a wise choice... Mazda 3 was on my radar...some how after driving the Civic all those miles. I long for a car that handles much much better and power.
I ended up getting a new 2013 Subaru WRX STI - 5 door .. its a lot of car. I still have the Civic just to cruse to grocery market.