The expectations of ride control performance vary from driver to driver. Many people do not consider it to be an issue until their car bottoms out terribly, which is why industry data states that 85% of cars go to the junkyard with their original shocks and struts. I'm sure Judgeless/Netbook is one of those people. My struts were not completely worn out, as they were not leaking or bottoming out. However, in my opinion, the rear shocks had degraded enough in performance to warrant replacement. The fronts are not too far behind.