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is there a major difference in handling, my car was lowered when i got it so i have no way to compare and im thinking about going back to stock setup but not it will affect performance

It will certainly effect performance. The car handles well stock, but it doesn't even compare to how it drives with some nice stiff lower springs. Just stop complaining about the harsh ride, throw some strut bars on there and some low profile tires.

i have front strut bar, and low pro 17's

i have low profile 205/40 tires with Motegi MR7 rims. the cars lowered 2" with a front top mount strut bar. ive also just installed new KYB GR2 struts..the ride is so much better now that ive got some new struts in, the old KYB ones the car came with were leaking bad and the car bottomed out all the time. now i can go down the same roads no problem.
so yeah.. -lower car add a strut bar to the front and/or rear and add new stuts if you can afford it

With stock, the low pro's are going to make a harsh ride, still. What springs do you have? If they're cheap, that's your cause, along with the low pro's.

I think the thing people who've never lowered their car before don't realize until they do, is that the shorter the spring, the stiffer it has to be to keep the car from hitting the tarmac. If the harshness of the ride doesn't bother you, the improved handling is worth the money. Where I live the roads are so poor I can't stand the car with stiff springs. With good, new, stock springs the car does handle pretty darn well though.

you should also consider getting a rear strut bar as well... you will definately notice a difference then!

Mooneggs wrote:ou should also consider getting a rear strut bar as well... you will definately notice a difference then!

I agree,

A lot of people say you wont notice the difference. But the car does feel a lot more stiff with a front and back strut bar. I don't know if it improves my times, but it definitely feels better.

Also remember, it's not just how low but more improtantly the actual components your riding one. Cut springs might give you a low car but it's gonna handle like s--- (and be very very very unsafe). If you riding on new ZX2 S/T struts or Koni inserts, and HR/Eibach springs/coilovers, or the best option being K-Sports, THEN you'll have a car that can really take the corners.

ONLY go back to stock if:

- The old stuff is warn and needs replacing
- You don't have enough money for anything better than canadian tire replacement
- You don't want a car that handles like a go kart, but a car with a very soft marshmellowy ride

Also, try driving a Stock mx-3, just to see what you think. Even my girlfriend see's the different between her buik and my mx-3 (eibach plus ZX2 S/T). The steering is much more responsive.

well i priced out struts at my parts dealer and monroes are 90$ a peice, and next ones down are like 50-60 bucks a peice....has anyone from canada ordered the KYB's from ajusa.com? right now i cant really afford to do the struts, ive been keepin my eye open for a cheap parts car, found one for 350$ but was one day too late ...right now the car doesnt seem to really bottom out, just the struts by the sounds of it,,the car isnt THAT low, only lowered maybe 2 inches..will i damage anything else other than the springs by driving it, im not to worried if i have to do a complete suspension job im just not looking to break anything else