Hey all, just a quick question which I should probably know the answer to..if I lower my VRX wil it affect the handling positively or negatively? Im already rather chuffed at how she sticks to the road now, and if lowering throws that out then im keeping her Hiluxesque stance no matter what. Otherwise I feel she needs to be dropped a few inches. Thanks in advance :)

just do it ......it will handle even better than before....

I remember in the dealership, the dealer principle lowered about 5 magnas and veradas and he called them GSV's - Gary's Special Vehicles. They did look great, but as far as handling went..... mmmm. They were nice quiet and new - then they became hard and rough. They may have been able to go around corners a fraction faster, and they did look cool.

Recently drove Knotched's 380 with Superlow springs and stock shocks. Noticeably less body roll than my stock 380 GT, and felt better planted to the road. Rode surprisingly well considering the height and the rims (19"s), and that was along B-grade roads too.

As long as you lower your car sensibly you're likely to get an improvement in handling as well as looks.

It would only be the springs Id be dropping anyways. The 380s shockers look...complicated. Springs are relatively cheap and easy. 90mm intakes on its way now so looks like lowering wins over a window tint for next fortnights paycheck :D

What I mean is that if you lower it stupidly low on springs, or if you compress springs, you may not get the handling results you want. If you just stick to an off-the-shelf set of Lows or Superlows you'll be fine.

Superlows aren't very good on Magnas but are fine on 380s. Knotched said that in his entire time of having Superlows, his car only bottomed out twice ever - I couldn't say the same for my Magna on Lows.

Are kings still the only option for aftermarket springs?

How do the stock shocks go with low or super lows? SL kings killed magna struts pretty darn quick. :(

Are kings still the only option for aftermarket springs?

How do the stock shocks go with low or super lows? SL kings killed magna struts pretty darn quick. :(
Dobinsons make springs for 380s too.

I will be able to report on them once my set arrive :)

i have just pedders lows springs in mine using the original shocks sits nice and handles very good on 18's
http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p546/W_King/380%20with%20rims/IMG_0617.jpg[/URL]

I have Kings Superlows in mine and it rides fine. Put the springs in with stock shocks at about 55k, I'm now at 86k (gulp) and it still rides fine.

I actually cannot remember ONCE bottoming out... But I drive sensibly when I need to because my old Magna had compressed superlows and would scrape on everything :D

like with any car, put it on lows & decent shocks the car will handle better, but the ride quality diminishes heaps.

our subaru liberty sits close to the ground from the factory & handles fantastic, but my 380 kills it when soaking up the bumps.......... still not sure which id prefer?

like with any car, put it on lows & decent shocks the car will handle better, but the ride quality diminishes heaps.
You'd be surprised - I certainly was. I didn't notice the ride quality in Knotched's car unless I was actually thinking about it. It rode significantly better than my old Magna did.

I have super lows on mine, the front end always scrapes on things for me. But that could also be my "woman driver" technique.

I also have Kings Superlows on my 380 VRX with stock shocks, swaybars, etc, and I never scrape on anything, unless it's fairly large bump. I have had this setup for a while now and still loving it. I feel the ride is so much better, it's stiffer but I don't think it's uncomfortable. I feel the car is more planted, more stable and it corners better. I never have liked how high Magna's sit on stock suspension. I say do it, don't even second guess yourself.

You'll find that if you really do appreciate how well planted the car is around corners. And how good it feels to have a car that doesn't do the Mexican wave every 45 degree turn. You'll really come to appreciate what you did and won't even notice the diminished comfort.

Feels planted on lowered springs. Feels like it's on rails with coil overs ;)