Lowering your car can be a great way to add style and performance to your vehicle, but it’s also a big job. It might seem easy to do, but the process is actually complex. There are many different reasons that people may want to lower their car.
Some people do it for the look, while others do it because they need a more comfortable driving position. Whatever your reason is, the cost of lowering your car can vary depending on which company you use and how much work needs to be done.
How Much Does It Cost To Lower Your Car?
Typically, lowering your car costs between $100 and $5,000 up to 2 inches. The cost depends on how and where you choose to get your car lowered.
Many people have their vehicle lowered by installing drop spindles sold at most aftermarket retailers for an average cost of $100. However, it can be difficult to install the drop spindles yourself because they require removing and disassembling the upper strut assembly of the car.
This job typically requires an auto professional because many steps must be done in a specific order to keep the car working properly. In addition to spindles, springs can also be used for lowering your vehicle, and it’s considerably easier than installing drop spindles.
Companies like Eibach produce high-performance coil-over kits that allow you to lower your car in just one hour. The car lowering kits costs around $1,000 and can be installed by anyone with a set of tools.
If money is no object, you may want to consider buying coilovers. A coilover is the best way to lower your car because it provides an adjustable ride height setting based on the type of road or track you’re driving on. It’s a combination of a coil spring and a shock absorber to give you a more comfortable ride.
Coilovers can cost upwards of $2,000 but give you more control to raise and lower your car.
Also, keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better when changing the height of your suspension system. As a general rule of thumb, lowering your car by half to one-and-a-half inches is the safest and most practical choice. It still lets you have the benefits of having a lower ride height without sacrificing performance or safety.
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What’s the Problem with Lowering Your Car Too Much?
It’s important not to lower your car too much because it can cause severe damage to your vehicle. Here are the dangers of lowering your car more than two inches:
- Scraping on bumpy roads, rough roads, or speed bumps
- Increased damage from bottoming out (hitting the road)
- Higher risk to you and your vehicle if involved in an accident
- Decreased steering response and control of your vehicle
- Significantly reduce the performance of a new sportscar
You will need to adjust your driving habits after lowering the suspension on your car or truck. Cars lowered more than two inches are referred to as slammed cars.
Also, note that you should not lower a car if it’s still under warranty from the manufacturer or has low mileage. It will void your warranty, and the costs to repair the damage might be more than the cost you spend lowering your vehicle.
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Why Do People Choose To Lower Their Cars?
There are several reasons people pay to lower their cars.
Eye Catching
One reason people choose to lower their car is that it looks cool. Some think that lowering a car gives off a sense of power and individuality, while some want to have an aggressive look on the road along with the loudest subwoofer box with good bass car door speakers. In addition, it’s a good way to show off your new powder coat rims.
Traction
Another reason is enhanced traction and performance vs. looks. To enhance traction, some cars are lowered with stiffer springs and shocks to give it a lower center of gravity which is where most of the weight sits.
Reduce Rollovers
A third reason for lowering your car is that it reduces rollover. A rollover is the tipping of an object about its axis when one side is raised above another.
You will reduce the two forces by lowering your car for several reasons. First, minimal risk of rollover will give your car a more responsive driving experience, a stiffer ride, better handling, and less under-steer.
Secondly, it decreases the chance of being thrown from the road in emergency maneuvers or during accidents. People also lower their cars for reduced lean, especially on corners.
Leaning is when the car leans towards one side due to centrifugal force. A lowered car recovers faster from leaning closer to the ground and will therefore be lower on its suspension.
Weighs Less
Lowered cars are generally lighter than their counterparts, and therefore they’re easier to accelerate and handle at high speeds. However, a lighter car can be both an advantage and disadvantage.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Lowering Your Car?
Even though the car looks cool when lowered, there are many disadvantages to spending the money.
Here are the disadvantages of lowering your vehicle:
Lose Control
You will lose some control once lowered, making it more challenging to drive on the highway. In addition, most people need to upgrade their suspension system and get aftermarket shocks which could cost thousands of dollars. In addition, it’s easier for an inexperienced driver to lose control and get into a fender bender.
Damage Underside
If you hit a pothole or speedbumps, the bottom of your car could get seriously damaged or dislodge your muffler. In addition, damage to the frame can cause uneven tire wear and require turning your rotors or flywheel resurfacing.
Harder Ride
It can also worsen back pain for tall people with long legs, especially if they work as professional drivers like bus or truck drivers.
Lower Resale Value
The car may be more difficult to sell at a traditional dealership. Many buyers prefer an original factory look and don’t want it modified.
Expensive Tires
The tires are more expensive than the original from the manufacturer. Always keep the proper air in your tires or refill CO2 when the weather changes. You can also save some money by buying used tires in good condition from an auto repair shop or Craigslist.
The cost of lowering your car two inches or more may not be worth it.
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Is Lowering Your Car Legal?
The legality of lowering your car varies by state. In some states, it’s illegal to lower your car while others don’t mind or are vague about the rules.
However, there are other legal issues to consider before lowering your car, such as certifying and registering the vehicle with your state. Here’s a list of state DMV websites.
But, in many countries, it’s legal to lower your car. For example, there are no laws against lowering a vehicle in Germany as long as the ride height remains within safety limits and the exhaust system does not interfere with pedestrian traffic or cyclists.
In the United Kingdom, the regulations only permit the vehicle to be lowered if it does not affect safety and comfort. However, other countries have laws against lowering your car.
Canada also has a law mandating that no vehicle can be lower than the bottom of its rims. So don’t buy lower profile tires because it may not be legal in Ontario or Quebec.
It can be a complicated process depending on where you live.
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Cost To Lower Your Car Conclusion
The price to lower your car can be expensive, but there are ways to save money. If the cost of lowering your vehicle is too high for your budget, look for other ways to lower the height from the ground.
Several aftermarket kits offer different levels of customization and range in price. The price depends on the features included and the time it takes a qualified auto technician or shop owner to complete.
Otherwise, you can lower your car DIY to save money. DIY solutions like air suspension systems allow drivers to adjust their rides according to their preferences. It only requires an inexpensive switch installed inside the vehicle. DIY is a good option if you’re looking for something more affordable than buying a new set of rim and tires.
See this video on how to lower your car for free.
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