i test drove an 07 tc friday morning. Instead of getting the 07 he said he would have an 08 in 2-3 weeks. I reserved it and now am trying to decide on options..

I really really liked the smoothness and ride feel of the stock tc.. will the trd lowering springs keep this ride feel???? should i just go ahead and do shocks and struts while they are installing the springs?? I would like to hear comparisons on before and after stock and trd springs and before and after, stock and springs, stocks and struts??

this would be a big help

 

i can't give you direct input as i haven't ordered my new suspension items yet, BUT i'll tell you this: at first, i thought my suspension was adequate. it was smooth and okay in terms of performance for daily driving. well, let me just say that i'm sick of it. as soon as i order my ZPI turbo kit i'm ordering a full TRD suspension (springs, struts, sway). The moral of my story is to go with your gut. if you THINK you want to upgrade now, you WILL want to upgrade later. if you do decide to get the springs, definitely get the struts at the same time as it will save you a lot on installation costs. i'd even go with the TRD sway bar.. that will make just as much difference as the other things. from what i've heard, the ride suffers a LITTLE, but the performance gains FAR outweigh any bumps you may encounter.

 

yes, get the full trd suspension with the exception of the rear sway bar and strut tower brace. the trd suspension makes the car handle so much better than stock. then get front and rear hotchkis sways. it handles just fine on all but rough roads. and remember, wait a week after installing the suspension to get an alignment.

actually, i say don't get it right away. keep the car stock for a while to have fun with it and its stock suspension. practice probing into the limits of the suspension when you get a chance. once you have realized the limitations of the stock suspension, get the upgraded suspension. i think it is better to wait before upgrading because otherwise you don't have an appreciation for what the sport suspension brings to the car.

 

i never thought of it that way, but it's so true. i'm going to go crazy with joy once the new suspension gets put on haha

 

well, i mean, there is seriously a huge difference the suspension makes on the car. the car handles well if you know what to expect and have a good line. after watching a video of travis auto cross in his tc with stock suspension and do a really good job because he had a great line.

i live down some back country roads with some nice curves and i got used to them on the stock suspension, and after i put on the trd suspension, i had to learn them over again because the car wouldn't pitch and slide as much and you relearn and have fun seeing how the car improves on roads or courses your familar with.

 

I remember when I got my springs and sway bar in, took a sharp corner at like 40mph like it was nothing. I was like whoa!!!

 

Don't buy any of that stuff with the car if you can help it. Not only are there a LOT of options out there besides TRD, but you can get all of the stuff cheaper online than from your dealer. Plus it's less $ to finance and pay interest on.

 

TRD=car on rails!! roller coaster style!

 

I finally gave in and installed the TRD struts, shocks and springs. The car now handles so much better and the ride quality is still good.

I have driven two of those super lowered tC's with 18 or 19's and the ride was HARSH. The TRD suspension seems about just right.

 

Don't do it through the dealer, they overcharge up the a$$. Get your car stock with NO options.