Hey fellas, I just bought my 97 SE a couple of weeks ago. Some of my friends have sports cars and they are all worked to a T. Some of them have their cars lowered for looks as well as performance. I was wondering from you experienced maxi owners that have them lowered is if lowering the car affects the ride. I was told that you feel the road alot more. I love the way it rides now and don't want to affect it by lowering it. Also, how much would it be to lower it with decent products...thankx.

 

I'm with you on this one. I love the ride of my GXE, but the wheel gap is pretty darn big when you really look at it. I've recently started looking at the stock wheel gap on other cars, and the Max has by far the largest gap.
Anyway, a set of Eibach or H&R spings and some new struts will run you about $500. Either of these setups will lower your car about 1.3 - 1.6 inches. People on this board seem to think the the H&R springs have a closer to stock ride than the Eibachs, but most comparisons between the two (if you do other research - not on these forums) say that the Eibach's are spring a little softer.
Hope this helps.

 

Here is the truth:

Almost every cosmetic alteration increases noise and reduce ride comfort.

1/ lowering : a process of installing alternative (usually stiffer) springs, shocks , bushings. Often comes with squeaks. You feel the road better (like Chevy Cavalier). Hiway performace may increase in view of lower car profile. Hiway fuel consumption may dwindle also.

2/ bodykit : adding skirts and spoilers to your car (usually underneath). Increases wind drag especially on hiway speed. Increased fuel consumption and of course wind noise are guaranteed by definition. Better handling may be observed on speed above 45 m/h with right spoiler.

So the choice is yours.