Lowering Your Car
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From: PA
Lowering Your Car
I know this is out of character on this particular forum, but I wanted to ask a question. Afterall, most of us are here to begin with because we own a Lexus.
Some of the discussion about modifications to cars has been an eye opener for me as I was completely unaware of this sort of thing. Why so many people feel that they need spend a bunch of money to lower their cars? I can't see what it does other than result in one possibly bottoming out and losing their exhaust system. Also, I definitely don't fiind that it enhances the look of the car.
Some of the discussion about modifications to cars has been an eye opener for me as I was completely unaware of this sort of thing. Why so many people feel that they need spend a bunch of money to lower their cars? I can't see what it does other than result in one possibly bottoming out and losing their exhaust system. Also, I definitely don't fiind that it enhances the look of the car.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,652
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From: Houston Tx
I've never bottomed out, and or lost an exhaust... on 3 cars lowered,.... SC400, GS300, and an escort way back intha day... HOWEVER, I have gotten increased handling, lower center of gravity, and better looks... .so that would be enough reasons for me to buy a $300 set of spings, and pay $300 to have them installed,... which is not a whole lot of money... and even when I did coilovers,... I spent a lil' more than a grand, which in the big picture is not a lot of money.
A person could say... why tha hell buy a lexus, when you could just buy a Hyundai, or a Civic,... since it's JUST a car,... and gets you from point A to B.
A person could say... why tha hell buy a lexus, when you could just buy a Hyundai, or a Civic,... since it's JUST a car,... and gets you from point A to B.
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From: PA
I've never bottomed out, and or lost an exhaust... on 3 cars lowered,.... SC400, GS300, and an escort way back intha day... HOWEVER, I have gotten increased handling, lower center of gravity, and better looks... .so that would be enough reasons for me to buy a $300 set of spings, and pay $300 to have them installed,... which is not a whole lot of money... and even when I did coilovers,... I spent a lil' more than a grand, which in the big picture is not a lot of money.
A person could say... why tha hell buy a lexus, when you could just buy a Hyundai, or a Civic,... since it's JUST a car,... and gets you from point A to B.
A person could say... why tha hell buy a lexus, when you could just buy a Hyundai, or a Civic,... since it's JUST a car,... and gets you from point A to B.
The lowering phenomenon was something I was unfamiliar with prior to frequenting CL and it seems pretty popular. From what you say here, it seems that folks have been doing this for a little bit. Maybe it's a function of where I live, but I don't recall ever seeing a lowered car. I've seen plenty of cars heightened however. I don't find either look appealing, but some of the rims on the cars do look nice.
There are positives and negatives if lowered too much....but I don't believe anyone can deny it looks waaaay better.
For me, a moderate drop is the ideal. No problems and better handling with waaaay better looks. It's important to make a good choice on wheel fitment though. Too low offset means you need to be really careful with your drop. High offset means you can get down there pretty good but still should be careful. Yes, it's a popular thing on CL. People tend to imitate each other...especially when it looks good.
For me, a moderate drop is the ideal. No problems and better handling with waaaay better looks. It's important to make a good choice on wheel fitment though. Too low offset means you need to be really careful with your drop. High offset means you can get down there pretty good but still should be careful. Yes, it's a popular thing on CL. People tend to imitate each other...especially when it looks good.
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From: PA
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Some cars come from the factory dropped. BMW's with the sport package, and M cars come from the factory this way. The stance of a lowered car gives it a more streamlined sporty appearance with some handeling benefits. I wanted the look and and German like ride and handeling, thus the Bilstein Coilovers on my GS. 
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From: MS
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Miami, Florida
I am not so much an appearance guy, but I respect those that want to lower for whatever reason.
I gave consideration to lowering for some performance (every so sligthly narrows the drag coefficient)/handling advantages (there is an ever so slight weight loss, too), but given that the potholes and streets is worse than anything in the U.S. where I live, I decided to pass, but have not ruled it out in the future.
I gave consideration to lowering for some performance (every so sligthly narrows the drag coefficient)/handling advantages (there is an ever so slight weight loss, too), but given that the potholes and streets is worse than anything in the U.S. where I live, I decided to pass, but have not ruled it out in the future.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 38
From: Houston Tx
but given that the potholes and streets is worse than anything in the U.S. where I live,
i was at the dealership, and a lady brought in her stock ES with busted struts from a pothole mishap,... the damage would have been the same lowered... the ONLY thing that is a problem ( sometimes ) is going over high objects... like the 20 inch speed bump,... which, I would go around, or not go over at all....
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
potholes are a no no anyways, for any car,... lowered or not.... bent wheels, cracked wheels, broken suspension, have nothing to do with being lowered or not, and trust me... Houston is pot hole haven... so, i've learned to drive around them, and always pay attention to the road, especially in unfamiliar terrirtory.
i was at the dealership, and a lady brought in her stock ES with busted struts from a pothole mishap,... the damage would have been the same lowered... the ONLY thing that is a problem ( sometimes ) is going over high objects... like the 20 inch speed bump,... which, I would go around, or not go over at all....
i was at the dealership, and a lady brought in her stock ES with busted struts from a pothole mishap,... the damage would have been the same lowered... the ONLY thing that is a problem ( sometimes ) is going over high objects... like the 20 inch speed bump,... which, I would go around, or not go over at all....
Would like to stop through Houston again sometime.
benefits of lowered car:
-increased steering response/feel
-increased confidence (hard to describe, car just feeeels so much better, planted, w/e u wanna call it)
-MUCH less body roll
-faster/more confident acceleration (car doesnt pitch back and forth)
-MUCH MUCH nice feeling brakes, this is mainly a confidence thing since the car doesnt lean forward like a boat.
-appearance
Cons to having a lowered car:
-honda civics/rice rocket BS
-too low=constant scraping of misc. parts+exhaust
-improperly selected/installed components=bottoming out (often times ppl use stock shocks w/aftermarket springs, or dont cut bumpstops when needed.)
my LS is lowered but i juss gotta be careful about BIG dips, my driveway, and a few select (retarded) speedbumps.
-increased steering response/feel
-increased confidence (hard to describe, car just feeeels so much better, planted, w/e u wanna call it)
-MUCH less body roll
-faster/more confident acceleration (car doesnt pitch back and forth)
-MUCH MUCH nice feeling brakes, this is mainly a confidence thing since the car doesnt lean forward like a boat.
-appearance
Cons to having a lowered car:
-honda civics/rice rocket BS
-too low=constant scraping of misc. parts+exhaust
-improperly selected/installed components=bottoming out (often times ppl use stock shocks w/aftermarket springs, or dont cut bumpstops when needed.)
my LS is lowered but i juss gotta be careful about BIG dips, my driveway, and a few select (retarded) speedbumps.
Why do people lower thier cars? Because its an euro-fad that hopefully is going to fade away. People are obsessed with handling, and manufacturers are feeding the fad with low profile tires and stiff suspensions even on luxury vehicles. With every generation cars becoming stiffer and stiffer, and people are forgetting what a comfortable ride really is. Driving an LS400 can be a real eye opener.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: PA
Why do people lower thier cars? Because its an euro-fad that hopefully is going to fade away. People are obsessed with handling, and manufacturers are feeding the fad with low profile tires and stiff suspensions even on luxury vehicles. With every generation cars becoming stiffer and stiffer, and people are forgetting what a comfortable ride really is. Driving an LS400 can be a real eye opener.
I'm into smoothness and comfortable ride. I don't wanna feel the road at all. I don't wanna take curves at full blast. If I want to do that, I'll get a bimmer.
My LS is just like sitting in an easy chair in my living room and that's what I want!