I bought a 1999 SSEi for what I thought was a steal. The guy told me that the only thing wrong with it is the rear suspension. It rides like a school bus. It seems that someone replaced the air bags with springs. Granted this is my first air ride car and I'm not entirely sure what to look for under the rear end. What is the best solution for my new sleeper? What kind of cost and effort are we talking for a shadetree mechanic?

Rides like a school bus? You mean the rear end is stiff? I think what he did was, replace the air struts with normal springs like you said, but maybe they are too stiff for the car. ??
Can you post a picture of behind the rear wheel? Mainly of this spring? Where it attaches to etc.

Would love to include a picture, but I am working off my cell till the internet is connected in my new house. Odd question... How would I attach a pic? Yeah I think they may be too stiff. The car bounces hard when you hit a bump.

Does the rear of the car bottom out when you hit a bump, or does it just feel real stiff in the rear?

When you get pics, I'll show you how to post them.

The rear end feels really stiff. If at all possible I would like to put the air ride back in it. I know the ccr isn't possible due to discontinued parts.

I may be wrong about this, but CCR is also what controls how much air is in those air struts. If the computer doesn't see the rear end sag, it can't pump more air into it. You would end up opening your trunk everyday just to hook an air hose to the schrader valve. My friend Rich had to do the same thing with his 96 Buick Park Ave Ultra.

My big concern is ride quality if I do get better springs under her tail...

Now, this I have seen people do. Goto autozone, tell them you need rear springs for a 1999 SE. NON SUPERCHARGED, NON-CCR. This should be a direct bolt on.

That'* not a half bad idea... Worse comes to worse it will ride like an se... Which isn't a bad ride at all. Thanks for the input!

Well, it should ride better than what you have now.
Your welcome!