I only hung onto the C5 for a year. Nice and powerful being the 3.0 V6. I p/x it for an IS200 and t hat suspension was almost as good as the Xantia, nice and supple.
The IS200 got p/x for an 8th Gen Civic in 2007, just for the toys, and that suspension was rock hard in comparison. Just glad they softened it on the 9G Civic. Not perfect but OK.
3.0 V6 ! Very posh. I understand the V6 was a very smooth engine.
I've yet to own or even drive a Lexus. Very well made cars for sure. On the list of cars to own whilst we still can.
Fan of the Civic 8, still look fresh today. I test drove a 1.8 manual, but as you say, the ride is pretty firm. The 2.2 CDTi, even today, is a very rapid and frugal car.
IIRC with the 9G Civic, they revised the suspension again MY14> and it is a much more plush drive.