Replacing Stock Struts...

by **Optimus** » Fri Dec 13, 2002 9:07 pm

Heck, keep snow tires on your old rims and then get some new rims (17"+) and tires for summer.

I would take a look at Dunlop (SP Sport 9000) -- those would be my choice, but i got a package deal. My Yokahamas are the ES100s (they are a bit noisy).

I'm sure everyone has a different tire opinion here, but the main point is tires will dramatically affect your handling.

by **dbanker** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:24 pm

Does anyone know how many good miles I can get out of the Tokico struts/Eibach springs combo? I've read individuals state that they work great up through the 20k-30k range but have heard nothing as to how long their life span is.

by **Flipside909** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 11:37 pm

dbanker wrote:Does anyone know how many good miles I can get out of the Tokico struts/Eibach springs combo? I've read individuals state that they work great up through the 20k-30k range but have heard nothing as to how long their life span is.

I don't think anyone has gone past the life of their Tokicos yet...considering they only came out right in Spring 2001 (my friend was the first prototype for the Camry/Solara platform). I have over 25k miles on them now and they are still running great.

by **JMSinMaryland** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 11:15 am

If you're concerned about sacrificing ride quality don't upgrade your tires or your suspension. For winter Im back on my 16s with the Tokico/Eibach set-up and it feels like stock to me. With 18s the ride is harsher (not harsh). In order I lowered my car, then 18s, then bodykit. 17s or 18s with low profile tires on your car would look silly and half done. You'll have the looks of the 18s but it will handle close to stock because your suspension is the same. I've had my grandmother in my car with lowered suspension and 18s and she had no complaints. Don't worry about it so much. Jon.

by **Flipside909** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 1:19 pm

JMSinMaryland wrote:If you're concerned about sacrificing ride quality don't upgrade your tires or your suspension. For winter Im back on my 16s with the Tokico/Eibach set-up and it feels like stock to me. With 18s the ride is harsher (not harsh). In order I lowered my car, then 18s, then bodykit. 17s or 18s with low profile tires on your car would look silly and half done. You'll have the looks of the 18s but it will handle close to stock because your suspension is the same. I've had my grandmother in my car with lowered suspension and 18s and she had no complaints. Don't worry about it so much. Jon.

Well said.

by **dbanker** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 9:02 pm

I'm not worried about it...I've just never gotten to ride in a car that had the Tokico/Eibach combo. So I don't know how it feels. That's why I've asked people here what they think. The more I know about what the upgrade will be like the more I want to do it now. I just want a good compromise, and it sounds like this combo will do just that. I look forward to getting it.

As for the life of the struts/springs that sounds good. I just wanted to make sure they didn't need to be replaced every 30k or so. I'm going to go ahead and try to get the Tokico/Eibach combo when I upgrade my tires/wheels here in a few months. I had planned on saving the money to go towards a new Ayre AX-7 integrated amp but oh well, guess that can hold off.

by **Guest** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 11:48 pm

I have a question I'm hoping someone can help me answer:

I own a '99 Solara SLE and am wanting a suspension and tire/wheel upgrade. I'm looking at the '18 SSR Competition and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S as well as Tokico struts and Eibach springs. I also own a '00 V6 Honda Accord Coupe which has a stiffer ride than the Solara. Those of you who have ridden in both know what I mean. If I upgrade what will the ride quality be like? Will it be on par with the Accord or will it be more like a sports car? I don't care too much for the current OEM cushy ride. However, I don't want to make it too stiff where the car rattles and I bounce all over the place.

Thank You

by **Flipside909** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 2:38 am

Anonymous wrote:I have a question I'm hoping someone can help me answer:

I own a '99 Solara SLE and am wanting a suspension and tire/wheel upgrade. I'm looking at the '18 SSR Competition and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S as well as Tokico struts and Eibach springs. I also own a '00 V6 Honda Accord Coupe which has a stiffer ride than the Solara. Those of you who have ridden in both know what I mean. If I upgrade what will the ride quality be like? Will it be on par with the Accord or will it be more like a sports car? I don't care too much for the current OEM cushy ride. However, I don't want to make it too stiff where the car rattles and I bounce all over the place.

Thank You

Good choice on the wheels and tires! Yes the Eibach/Tokico combo will be more superior to the oem ride of the EX V6 coupe. If you upgrade the rear sway w/the TRD rear sway, you will reduce alot of the body roll as well. You will still retain the comfortable characteristics of stock on regular surfaces. Try the Eibach/Tokico alone...and i'm sure you will enjoy the ride. My 99 SE V6 5spd is my daily driver with over 21K logged on the Eibach/Tokico combo...and recently switched from 17x7 to an 18x7.5 rim and ride is still nice and smooth...but not as smooth and cushy as the oem rims of course.

by **cdssolara** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 2:26 pm

The Eibach/Tokico combination is a good compromise between comfort and performance. You'll feel the road surfaces a little more than with the stock suspension, but you definitely won't be hearing your teeth chattering over every bump. Unless you like a really soft ride, it's very comfortable.

Car comparisons are always pretty subjective. With the set-up you're describing on the Solara, it will be more stable than a stock Honda. In my opinion, Accords feel lighter and more nimble than Camry's and Solaras, with much better steering response. With the upgrades that you're talking about, the Solara will handle much better than in stock form, and will feel much more solid, but it still won't have that light feel of a Honda.

by **dbanker** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 4:18 pm

This may seem like an odd question but I'm getting my tokico/eibach's in next week and am planning on having them installed next Friday. I currently have OEM 16's w/snow tires and am going to get new 18's with Yoko ES-100's around May. Should I wait to install the new struts/springs until I go with the larger wheels? I'd really like to put the new struts/springs on now so I can enjoy them over the next few months but if it'll look bad or not do so well with the 16s/snow tires then I'll wait. What do you think? Thanks-

by **Flipside909** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 7:27 pm

dbanker wrote:This may seem like an odd question but I'm getting my tokico/eibach's in next week and am planning on having them installed next Friday. I currently have OEM 16's w/snow tires and am going to get new 18's with Yoko ES-100's around May. Should I wait to install the new struts/springs until I go with the larger wheels? I'd really like to put the new struts/springs on now so I can enjoy them over the next few months but if it'll look bad or not do so well with the 16s/snow tires then I'll wait. What do you think? Thanks-

No. install them now.

by **dbanker** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 7:49 pm

Flipside909 wrote:
dbanker wrote:This may seem like an odd question but I'm getting my tokico/eibach's in next week and am planning on having them installed next Friday. I currently have OEM 16's w/snow tires and am going to get new 18's with Yoko ES-100's around May. Should I wait to install the new struts/springs until I go with the larger wheels? I'd really like to put the new struts/springs on now so I can enjoy them over the next few months but if it'll look bad or not do so well with the 16s/snow tires then I'll wait. What do you think? Thanks-

No. install them now.

Great, thanks. I was hoping that wouldn't be a concern.

Replacing Stock Struts...

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