Same here, I paid $27k for my new '05 Shinka a year after its production (March '06).

btw: the only True Shinka is an '05 Black Cherry Mica one.

 

^^ soo true.

So I'm re-reading the specs on the Shinka and it mentions the foam-filled crossmember, but what exactly is the specially tuned suspension?

 

I paid $19,750 for mine. 06 Shinka MT copper red with LoJack from small "car dealer" Previous car owner paid $27K at carmax in April and traded it in for $17K at a Ford dealer in August.

 

The polyurethane foam filled cross members, along with the more robust damper material ('tuned suspension'), give a somewhat sportier ride. There is no performance advantage however.

 

does this mean us shinka owners can install lowering springs and not worry about replacing the shocks? btw i was thinking of eibachs and i only have 17000mi on the clock.

 

I bought mine brand new with 11 miles on the odo. for $26,800 I'd work on talking them down.

 

I bought my brand new 2006 Shinka in 2007 for $25,000. It was below the blue book so I felt happy.
All the miles are mine. mine mine mine.

 

it means you have 14mm dampers vs. 12mm dampers that the rest of these guys have. and its not a power advantage, but technically it IS a performance advatage although extremely slight.

i have have a few ppl(8 owners) get in my car and immediately comment on how well it rides in town, as well as at 130+... a couple of said persons did not know/notice the car was a shinka previously

fwiw i bought my 06 GG Shinka in Apr06 for 31K out the door.




man, in the last two months there have been more Shinka related threads pop up where i find ppl who dont even know what they own....

 

i wouldn't you could maybe get away with some very mild spring rates like RB's or something, but you really need a damper that matches your prospective spring rates well... otherwise it'll ride like poo