The automakers call it N-V-H: noise, vibration, harmonics.
Soft ride is only relative in a quiet, motionless-feeling car .
I think of it as attacking the problem from a different angle. Consider removing the seats, carpet, headliner, etc (or have an audio shop do it) and have them install extra insulation.
Get the very best tires that you can, spare no expense, and have them "Road-Force" balanced on a HUNTER GSP-9700 Balancer. Tire Rack reviews (on cars just like yours) indicate that the 205/65-15 MICHELIN Harmony is a quiet, soft rider. (As a note, the old near-6000# Imperials of the mid-late 1960's ran 15" wheels with 78-series tires of 31" height at 24-psi. Soft ride means a LOT of sidewall at low-pressure.)
Get KONI struts/shocks or the best equivalent.
Play with tire pressure, but keep them as factory sez (as in, 32 front, 34 rear) as to psi balance.
You won't gain anything in dropping past 28#.
Lose the rear antisway bar, and just drive more slowly.
Look into a ROHO seat cushion, or OREGON AERO (aircraft supply) as these can be moved from car-to-car. Maybe 1" shepskin covers, as well.
Keep some extra weight in the trunk, do all the things that start to negate fuel mileage and handling/braking (not entirely kidding; you WILL have to slow down).
I'd just do the tires and struts/shocks as well as the ROHO cushion.
[ November 06, 2003, 02:29 AM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]