I was going back and forth a bit when I bought my X, not knowing if I should go with the Sport package or not. I can tell you, after a month, that I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER that I chose the SP. The ride (at least on the '06) isn't unpleasant at all, at least by my butt-o-meter. All of the other sport pack attributes make it that much more worthwhile, ie the fat steering wheel, monotone trim, etc...