[cleanneon98]

I wouldn’t call the ride choppy it’s pretty boaty actually but it does pick up the road. I think this is by design, the hatchback is supposed to be sportier but overall to me the ride is still great. The sedans ride softer but I would really recommend driving stuff before plopping down 35k. Sorry you’re not loving it :-(

 

[cleanneon98]

I'm older, as well. Found OEM ride bit harsh with a lots of road noise due to large , heavy wheels and low profile tires. Switched to lighter 16 " wheels and Continental 215-55-16 tires. No performance loss, much better ride.OEM wheels/tires can be sold or remounted if your car is leased.

This is a great idea, and those wheels should be an easy sell, they are probably my favorite OEM wheel around this price point and I saw someone local with them on an Si

 

[cleanneon98]

I think you’re ready to shoot the horse way too early. Wheels and tires make a HUGE difference in the ride. You’d be better off test driving an EX or something similar to see how it drives. Or just sell your car and take a massive loss because you think it won’t make a difference. Sorry if I sound a little blunt, but I’ve personally driven a lot of cars for work back in the day and I can tell you for a fact, a low profile wheel and tire can ruin an otherwise great ride. I don’t mind them on the civic personally, but I drove quite a few Mercedes and Audi models (luxury cars mind you) that drove like ass with their big wheel appearance packages.
Also worth checking your tire pressure, though that’s only going to make a small difference.
What part of PA are you that roads are so bad? I’m about 40 mins north of the city in the Lansdale area and the car does great up here

 

[cleanneon98]

Cleanneon98, I live about 45 miles west of Philadelphia in the Downingtown Area. I see you have a Mazda Miata. I also have one. I have a 2012 Special Edition which I love. Funny thing is driving it doesn't bother me at all. Go figure. I drove the new Accord today. That didn't do much for me. It was an EX. I also drove a new Camry LE. That might be the way to go for me. I might just get my 2021 back and take a beating. We'll see.

My Miata is an 04 with XIDA suspension so it would not make your back happy lolol. I would still encourage you to drive one of the “lower” trims, the tires on the ST are pretty low profile and stepping down to even a 17 will be a huge improvement. Don’t want to see you take a beating if you can avoid it. Hell you can probably find someone with an EX to trade you their OEM wheels AND some cash for those beautiful 18s

 

[cleanneon98]

It sounds like OP has made up his mind to take a beating on the car rather than try some of the suggestions given. I don’t get it, since he seemed so stoked on the car, but I don’t have back issues yet so maybe it’s all too simple in my mind.