Suspension for the Portly Driver

[Reverie]

OK, not exactly portly but kind of heavy. I weigh about 230 lbs at six feet tall. My 1996 has about 177,000 miles on the ticker and it looks like it is on the original shocks and springs. I am keeping a mostly stock setup with the rest of the car but I really want to do something with the suspension and handling. When I drive the car moderately hard into corners or if I hit an imperfection in the road, I can sometimes hear the tire scrub behind the driver. I am looking for advice to make this go away and possibly give it better performance in the corners. I am running the stock 14 inch wheels and tires. I'm open to suggestions that do not include going on a diet. This is me AFTER a diet.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

Can you find a 230lb girlfriend to ride with you? That's what I'd do.

[The Driver]

Can you find a 230lb girlfriend to ride with you? That's what I'd do.

GROSS!

OP, stock shocks are good for about 50K miles, which means those shocks have been dead for well over 100K miles. You'll need fresh bumpstops and even new shock tops. Try Sensen Shocks, for something low budget.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

I was actually about to say all that except for the "gross" part.

[— Phatmiata —]

Yeah I would say new springs or at lease shocks are in order.

[Demon I Am]

What kind of budget are you on? I was about a hundred pounds larger than you when I got my Miata. Never had issue with scrubbing, really. I did have issue with it after getting the coilover suspension and having it around 11.5" height.

[Reverie]

I had the Miata up on the rack yesterday. I pulled the rear tires and wheels and started looking around trying to spot where the rubbing was taking place. This vehicle came to me with a creased left rear. It is slightly crumpled but the radius of the opening looks pretty straight. What I could not see was that a portion of the rolled steel was uncurled and pointing straight down, right at the tire. The edge was really shiny. I took a light sledge and banged it back into a reasonable shape. I took the car out and slammed through some corners and voila! no scrubbing noise.

This doesn't change the need to replace the struts and springs but at least it stops the infernal scrub. I don't see any damage to the tire but it was still a bit alarming.

Oh, when my wife read the suggestion I get a 230lb girlfriend to ride along she had other ideas. She reminded me that she was the only other person in the house with the combination for the gun safe.

Reverie

[—Martin—]

She reminded me that she was the only other person in the house with the combination for the gun safe.

LOL

I'm about 220 lbs and my carpool buddy is around 260. We make quite a pair when it's my turn to drive. But, there is no rubbing - inside or outside the car

[MemphisMiata]

GROSS!

OP, stock shocks are good for about 50K miles, which means those shocks have been dead for well over 100K miles. You'll need fresh bumpstops and even new shock tops. Try Sensen Shocks, for something low budget.

I am actually in the market for replacement stock-equivalent shocks for my early 1990 NA - does anyone have any reports on the Sensen shocks? I do not plan to do any competition driving - just some touring.
I appreciate any advice.

[The Driver]

I am actually in the market for replacement stock-equivalent shocks for my early 1990 NA - does anyone have any reports on the Sensen shocks? I do not plan to do any competition driving - just some touring.
I appreciate any advice.

Based on what I've heard from people who have them, they behave just like factory Showas. Just cheaper.

[Inspecta]

I helped a buddy put sensens on a 96 and he is happy with them. Just make sure they are good before you install them because one was blown when he received it.