I noticed a thread in the sedan section about people going back to stock springs after using lowering springs due to drivability issues. I’ll be installing swift springs soon and this is making me have some second thoughts since the G is my DD. Is drivability really that much worse with the car lowered 1-1.3 inches? I’d really like to get rid of the horrid wheel gap but maybe not if it makes it difficult to drive the car without scraping everywhere. I do have a few steep driveways I drive on, but I’m hoping most places won’t be too much of an issue with a mild drop from the swifts. Any thoughts on this from those of you who are lowered?

 

It's really subjective and the answer mostly depends on where you live. A mild drop like Swift will definitely add a bit of fun and great look to the car and my opinion is that the drive-ability will no doubt be inconvenient but it's really up to your skills and tolerance to the sideway approaches and speedbump crawls. I would definitely recommend you to give it a shot.

I will say this though... being lowered really limited me in driving to new places without scouting in advance with other cars. For example, Mirage (Las Vegas) parking has HUGE *** speedbumps that even regular cars will scrape so that WOULD have destroyed my car if I didn't know and drove in. Thank God I was in my friend's car at the time. Just be careful and enjoy

 

This is solid advice. I'm pretty low at zero fender gap but was a bit lower before I had my adjustable coilovers. My previous B&G lowering springs were about a 2.25" drop and it took some fun out of the drive and added stress. Speaking of Vegas, we went to some cheesy comedy show at the Riviera and I had to pull every trick in the book to keep from having to get towed out of their underground parking garage. This place had steep downward drives into large speed humps (not those easy speed bumps, but those humps that can stick your whole undercarriage on). Took some time, sweat and effort to navigate that beast, but now I'm up about 1/2" higher and it's virtually stress free. You still have to pay closer attention but nothing like before.
IMO the drive on a mild drop spring such as Swifts shouldn't be too compromised and in some ways you'll feel more connected to the road (as long as you drop it properly, which IMO should include camber kits).

 

^^^ This.

Without writing a book, I've own cars from my 00 Prelude with a mild drop on eibachs, to a medium drop RSX on Teins, to a slammed 00 lexus gs300...

It all depends on your ability to drive/manuver the car, your attention to detail on the roads/driveways, and the roads driveways themselves. There are certain places you won't be able to go anymore. That's just the way it is. Also you'll have to think about weight issues... Carrying more things/people won't be as easy anymore. But with just springs it won't be too bad.

Especially if you get some better struts. That will make a night and day difference, and prevent the blown shock land yacht floaty feeling from happening down the road. (I had Koni yellows in the Prelude and they were awesome!) but as stated above I would -highly- recommend a camber kit. You need to keep that camber/toe in check! Your tires and wallet will thank you later!

 

Thanks for the input all. I have not had a lowered car before so I'm a tad worried about it, but I think I'll go with it. I guess if it's really that annoying I can always go back to stock. Though the cost/time of changing springs isn't trivial .

 

just do it.
i have swift springs and rarely scrape on anything.

like mentioned by holdmymouse, just be aware of where your going and whats in the road and you will be fine.

 

I'm on H&R Springs with ARK cat back exhaust. Scrape central but I be cutting these speeds bumps like a champ!

 

Did you install a camber kit for front and rear?

 

Learn to angle dips and speedbumps. One inch is not that low.

 

not yet,but i do need them. either my aligment guy didn't do a good job or i wasn't one of the lucky ones who don't need them