I test drove for the first time an 1989 FC3 glx, Loved the car, however the ride over a bumpy road bruised my kidney's. There is no modification to body, engine, or suspension. Rims are stock with good threads... I understand there is an automatic(?) adjustable ride suspension built in... (sorry for the vague description), but is it typical for a HARD ride on this vehicle....Thanks for your input.

 

No. I have an 88 gxl and it rides really nice. Its stock also

 

^ same. My gxl has that option and it runs fine. That cars suspension is shot. Use it for a bargaining chip if the rest of the car is good.

 

The suspension in my '87 GXL was shot when I bought it... So I noticed no difference when using the Auto Adjusting Suspension (AAS). The ride was rough and also very bouncy. This may be the same case for the car you drove.

If you prefer to utilize the AAS, you can always swap out the old shocks for new OEM shocks... IF you can source them. You can swap them out with a newer different shock, but you won't be able to use the AAS. Your cheapest bet would be to source some decent used S5 (89-91) GXL shocks... Which would allow you to use the AAS.

I got rid of my AAS and went with Tokico HP's (a.k.a. - Tokico blues) and Tein S-Tech springs. The Tokico's are a direct replacement, and can be used with stock springs.

 

Thanks guys appreciate your input. The hard ride could just be me being used to driving a newer car. The ride felt like I had changed the tires to a lower profile and you could feel even the cracks in the road... not a bouncy ride, just feeling the cracks.. (that did'nt sound too well, but you know what I mean) ...I'll take a look at the shocks to see if they're shot, and take your advice in changing them out.

 

Yea I run 17s and a really low pro tire. Is really smooth but yea if ur driving on a rough *** road its not gonna b like a cadi lol.