Gravel/Dirt roads Options

[Brookie]

Does anyone know how this car handles on gravel/dirt roads? I have to take a trip to an area where I will be driving back roads(no off-roading of course).
I am worried about the suspension and of course flying rocks. My driving style is slow and cautious, I won't be doing any rally driving with this car. I was thinking about getting the mud-flaps installed plus if I can afford it the the front-end protector(the black bra).Any insight or help on this matter would be appreciated.
Thanks...

[silet]

Any driving with a car on a dirt road should be done with caution. The car can bottom out easily, stopping it takes longer, it will get filthy, but you should be fine if you take it slow. If it was me, I wouldn't spend the money for mud flaps or a front end protector if it happened once and while.

[Bobzilla]

Like a trooper. A.) I live on one. 2.) I grew up on them and the car has seen the ones from that area quite a few times and iii.) we took porky on a road rally through some NASTY dirt (not even gravel) roads.

If you have the larger rear sway bar, the ass will be loose. Not uncontrollable, just a little loose. She'll step the tail out like a RWD dorifto car and be completely under control. THe stock suspension has a crap ton of travel, so no worries there. If you're still sitting on stock springs and struts, you'll be fine. Its soft enough to handle whatever you could throw at it.

Personally, I think a 5spd GLS with Hatch back springs would make a PERFECT rally-x car.

As fpr mudflaps... not necessary IMO. same with the bra. Mine's seen thousands of miles on dirt/gravel roads and don't have any chips/scratches from the lack of mudguards.

[Brookie]

Thanks so much for your reply. That really eased my mind. I make these trips 3-4 times a year and now i will be confident that this car will hold up to it. Like I said I will be taking it easy on the dirt/gravel roads anyway. I will save the money and not get the mud flaps or the bra. Thanks again...

[cobas]

You should only have to worry about rocks hitting the front from other cars, oncoming traffic, etc. The windshield does tend to chip easily, IMO. The mud flaps only help if your tires are wider than the originals. Like Bob said, with the Tib rear sway bar, the rear's a bit loose but nothing too bad. Give it two or three runs around the rally-x course and you'll be scoring mid-pack in the class on the first day and.... oh wait, nevermind.

[Brookie]

I will be driving slow and cautious. I know nada about auto mechanics (would like to learn more though). What is the Tib rear sway bar? I know it's suspension related, at least I think it is. Anyway this car is all stock, brand new. I just wanted to get a feeler of how this car handles on poor roads (gravel/dirt).

This post has been edited by Brookie: May 28 2010, 08:38 AM

[sarge]

well as for the Tib (Tiburon) rear sway bar, they're meaning for the XD/XD2 generations (01-06).

Since you have a stock 2010 Touring, you've already got the good stuff out there. Yes it is suspension related, keeping the left and right side strut/springs working together to keep the car balanced through turns.

You'll be fine with the gravel road driving. As said, just keep the speed reasonable and give extra time for things as in emergency maneuvers the road doesn't always stay where you want. Be cautious of the washboard effects near stop signs and such.

Other than that enjoy the scenic drive

[Brookie]

Thanks for your help...