Looking for a bit of help regarding a 2011 tC we just bought for our soon-to-be 16yr old son. Mechanically the car is great and it looks killer. I could tell it was lowered, but the previous owner couldn't tell me much because everything was done by the previous owner to her. It's got the 19" TRD wheels and I think the TRD springs. The only reason I think they are TRD though is because the springs are red and it had the TRD wheels. With this setup alone how should my ride be you think? I'm 40 and for me it's stiff as hell, but my 16yr old self could have cared less. Most pics of lowered tC's with TRD springs appear to have similar fender-to-tire height comparing the front to the back. Mine seems to sit lower in the front. There's very little give in the springs and only maybe 2-3 coils worth of play. I'm not sure if they did something else to lower it even more or how I'd even tell unless I removed the springs and compared. From reading online the TRD springs have great reviews and the ride comfort is still good. I know the 19's and low profile tires don't help the comfort either though.

Again, this could be all normal and it's me (in my old age) and used to a comfortable ride. My son could care less, he loves it. Which is fine because I won't be in it much anyway. My main concern would be safety.
The front tires have worn a hole in the inner fender well from turning and hitting bumps. Not big holes and it's just the fender well; not any suspension part. Is this pretty normal with a setup like this? I had my mechanic look at it and there's no other issues.

I really appreciate any help/feedback. Maybe someone else has a similar setup and we could compare how high the bottom of fenders are?



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I measured from the ground to the fender and the rear is 26 3/4" and the front is 25 3/4". Tires are 235/35/19's. If anyone else is on TRD springs and happens to know what there measurement and tire size is that would help me. I'm thinking the springs may be really worn out.

 

From the wheel gap and them being red, I'm almost positive they are the TRD springs (the Sportlines are also red, but the drop is a little lower in the rear). The TRD springs are on the stiffer side of lowering options. Tein S-Techs or adjustable coilovers or perhaps even new shocks if they're still original would be noticeably smoother, but there's not a lot you can do when the tires are that skinny (that is the correct tire size for the car with those wheels, btw). Swapping the tires with ones that are designed to ride smoother may help. I'm really liking my Hankook S1 Noble2's - smoothest riding tires I've been on and grip just as well as my V12's.

Awesome first car, your son probably won't mind too much, and the cars are very easy to work on if he decides he wants to upgrade it himself down the line.

 

My LUV MOBILE/BAT MOBILE/GIANT'S MOBILE is a 2015 tC RS9 on 18's. Stock OEM tires are Proxes A20 225/45/18 on TRD Red Springs.
On a stock tC with stock tires, the TRD Springs will give you a 1" Drop. Mine measures Ground to Fender is 26" All Around.

It is Not my Daily Driver and a Secondary Vehicle and lightly driven. Garaged in the Bat Cave most of the time. Hence only 26,638 Original miles.

Yes, the Ride Quality is Stiff. But, being a 'Old School' guy, at times, my whole body is Stiff. But, like all my vehicles, it's in Excellent condition and Working Order. No Viagra..lol..

Hope this Helps,


MR LUV

I LUV My Work!
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Thanks for the replies. That's good to hear that those are the right tires because I gotta buy a couple new ones. Turns out the back passenger wheel was bent. No noticeable damage on the outside of the rim, but when I had the shop balance and do an alignment they caught it. Got a new "used" wheel coming in and gonna buy two new tires for the front. Also, had the front bumper fixed as it was loose and rattling some. So between that and the new wheel and tires I think it'll ride a little smoother. Bumps will probably be rough with those tires/wheels, but just going down the road should be better.

Good to know that they are easy to work on. I know he's got some stuff he's wanting to do to it with his birthday money.