Matrix XRS Suspension

I've had an 03 Matrix XRS for over a year now & I still don't hate it. With 30k miles in a year & 180k on the dash it still feels much more solid than most other higher mileage cars I've owned in the past so I think it'll stick around for a while. It has recently developed so sloppiness & clunks in the front end though & has me believing struts may be due for replacement. Of course the mindset for me is, well if the struts are blown why not upgrade? So, on a budget I'm contemplating new struts/springs all corners. Perhaps give the car a better driving feel or autocross potential. I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with the XRS cars & what to avoid & what would be good. I don't want to slam the car to the ground, nor do I want my fillings to fall out every time I hit a bump, I do live in New England after all. Something mild would be ideal.

Check the swaybar endlinks too...

At least check the lower control arm bushings before you spend all the money on struts. Just jack up the whole front at once so the suspension is at full droop and look to see how torn they are.

Here were ours at 180k miles. I suspected struts and/or engine mounts but after finding and fixing this mess the car drives just fine again so we left the struts alone. I don't know who the hell designed those struts but they deserve an award. I will probably do struts at 200k just because...why...not?

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In reply to RedGT:

Oh those look nice. I am fairly certain the rear motor mount needs replacing. When it was last out for the clutch it didn't look so great. Obviously I'd rather not do struts & springs but if I have to I'm upgrading, make the car feel less numb.