Need soft ride for 05 Forester LL Bean

11 years, Change everything out Struts, Premium grade and shocks as well, upgrade spend more for the better quilty equipment. The Forester is not the smoothest riding vehicle, you might want to consider a tire upgrade utilizing a soft compound tire, that '05 Forester runs a 205-60-15 Check forums see what people have to say on tire ride / comfort. Typically the higher the speed rating the better. Regards

a taller tire will make for a softer ride as well since it will squish more on bumps.. but handling in corners may feel off / soft. This is tough.. I would recommend going to SubaruForester.org or NASIOC and asking. And you may want to find something with a longer wheel base.. check this out: http://www.city- data.com/forum/automotive/2473622-what-gives-car-smooth- ride.html

C;mon, guys, this is an 11 yr old short wheelbase, too-tall jeep clone that should NOT have kilobucks invested in a new suspension that may not supply much benefit at all. The suggestion to run softish (S or T-rated...NOT H nor V!) at OE pressure is all that can be done. It's a sloppy, brittle ride mostly because the wheelbase it soo short (i.e., aspect ratio is too wonky). Forget asking NASIOC; that's like querying a dairy on their favorite margarine...!

haha.. I don't spend any time on NAS.. I hear they're strict but I'd think accurate. One guy in that link I mentioned liked a Sienna.. and heck, they're the only mini-van with AWD these days.

Yeah, I had to buy a '13 AWD XLE for my daughter after the 3rd grandchild. What a friggin beast! We call it The Ark.

Hey Ern, what're your thoughts on the Flex? I think we (wife) would go with the Flex before a sienna (but I like both).

2sub's any ideas? how's it going?

I LOVE the Flex! Strongly suggesting my micro-roaster buds get one for their coffee biz.

Thanks for all the good input. I'll change struts for sure. Recommendations on struts? Anything else need changing? Our 05 Forester (LL Bean edition) has too-new-to-replace Goodyear Assurance TripleTred tires (H speed rated maybe) that allegedly climb vertical walls and are softer than a downy dandelion. We drive our cars until they're rusty dust so we're not replacing the car yet. Another solution: I want my wife to get a new neck (but she's out of warranty).

The struts might be alright but just go with softer springs.. I wondered if I should suggest swift springs because I thought they were stiffer (just cuz that tends to be the norm) but these guys are saying they're a little softer and you get to keep your current struts. Read about them here (but there may be plenty of other threads with more info on them) ::::: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f70/suspension-ride- qualities-wrx-suspension-vs-swift-springs-48650/