I just picked up a 2003 6S with V6 3.0 5 speed. I love this car but it has bottomed out a few times. I would appreciate suggestions on a mild suspension upgrade that will not break the bank. I will never track this car but hope for somewhat better performance in the twisties. I recntly installed V-rated Michelans. Appreciate any response!!

 

Well there are plenty of things you can do to tighten up the suspension on this car. To start with Racing beat makes a set of excellent swaybars that, when used as a pair, give the car a very neutral handling attitude. A set of springs and decent shocks will also improve the handling of your car, I'm running mazdaspeed springs and blistein shocks myself, and would highly recommend atleast those springs to anyone. If you are looking for a cheaper shock solution, KYB makes a decent product and I've talked to a good number of people that love their Tokiko Blues. One words of warning on the sways, you really need to upgrade the endlinks along with the sway as the RB bar will cause the stock ones for fail eventually.

 

Thanks for the tips! I am thinking about your suggestion of
the ToKico blues and they are very affordable. I am also considering the Koni FSD's. Any comments? I also am considering the racing beat spring/sway bar kit with new end links. Any pros or cons with this set up?

 

Between Koni and ToKico's my vote is for Koni every time. Personally I'm running Bilsteins and absolutely love them. As for cons for sway bars, only real on I can think of is that since it reduces body roll potholes become MUCH more noticeable, but the ride itself is not really stiffened. Oh, and check the endlinks about a month after you put the new ones on, they have a tendency to back themselves off a bit and that can lead to failure of the endlink (locktite also helps to prevent this).

 

Koni's offer better on track performance, but result in a much rougher ride. The Bilsteins don't offer quite the hardcore performance, but as a result maintains a civilized ride while still offering a decent upgrade over stock in terms of controll.