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Should I get the lowering springs and rear sway bar?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by mediahound, Aug 7, 2013.

  1. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I'm considering a 2013 Prius and wondering what people's opinions are of the Prius Plus lowering springs and rear sway bar? What are considerations I need to consider?

    I don't think I will get the ground effects kit as that may make it too low?

    Basically I would like better handling and a cooler look but not something that is constantly scraping on driveways, etc.
     
  2. Dawit

    Dawit Active Member

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    I have the lowering springs, prius plus wheels and the body kit. Haven't had any problems with scraping.
     
  3. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Cool. Did you get the rear sway bar too?
     
  4. longislandprius

    longislandprius New Member

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    I just got a new prius with the lowering springs and rear sway bar... and today, I put on after-market 17" wheels. (also have the ground effects kit) The car looks pretty fab, IMO. Handling wise, I haven't noticed much of a difference from my gen 2 prius... then again, my kid has been keeping me up this week, so I'm exhausted and driving like a granny :unsure:
     
  5. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Does dealership install the lowering springs and away bar? Or did you have that done elsewhere? Just curios.
     
  6. Dawit

    Dawit Active Member

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    I didn't get the sway bars. The springs handle really good so I'm not sure if the sway bars will make much difference.
     
  7. longislandprius

    longislandprius New Member

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    oh, here's a fab tip for people buying a prius..... see if your dealership can get the springs, sway bar (and ground effects, if you want it), installed IN JAPAN. That way, you avoid all installation fees. the installation fees of the above 3 items can be around $1k :eek:

    that saved me a massive bundle!
     
  8. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I think I'm pretty much decided to get the lowering springs and sway bar since it seems pretty clear they help with handling.

    But on the ground effects, I'm in my 40's, does it make it look to kid-like? I want something that appears a bit business like, that I could potentially use for work if I wanted to. It seems like it might be a little bit too radical given that the Prius is not exactly a performance car. Thoughts?

    I keep going back and forth though so would welcome input.
     
  9. longislandprius

    longislandprius New Member

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    I'm in my 40's too... and a professor. Hell if I care if someone doesn't like my new car! I will not be peer-pressured into an old lady car.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. sarir97

    sarir97 Member

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    I'm in my 40s, a doctor, and I had the exact same dilemma as you. Ultimately, I decided against the body kit. I doesn't add that much more to the good looks of the car, and is an additional expense. The lowering springs with 17 or 18 inch rims will give enough of a sporty look to keep you happy.
     
  11. Dawit

    Dawit Active Member

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    IMO it would look incomplete without the bodykit :)
    photo(18).JPG
     
  12. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I don't think either looks bad, but it seems without the body kit, it's a cleaner look, whereas with it (obviously), it's looks more modified and less 'EV', more like a non hybrid.

    I'm sorta thinking you lose a bit of the hybrid cachet with the ground effects, but maybe that's just me
     
  13. sarir97

    sarir97 Member

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    I agree that it certainly is not as "clean". If the body kit was styled like that from factory, ie part of the front and rear bumper as opposed to an add on, it would look better.

    However, not sure it takes away from the hybrid/EV look. Some say that because the rear bumper kit hides the muffler (mostly), the car looks even more EV.
     
  14. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    I have a standard 2010 Prius with 15 inch wheels and I bottom out on almost every driveway and dip in the street. I probably couldn't live in my house if it were lower.

    I went with the TRD rear bar and couldn't be happier. I don't give a damm about looks it's performance I want.
     
  15. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    The Prius looks fine with or without the body kit; it's the wheel gap you should be concerned about. Most aftermarket wheels look funky on the Prius unless lowered.
     
  16. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    By aftermarket, do you also mean the Toyota 17" wheels?
     
  17. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Not necessarily. The 17" stockers don't really look that funky (otherwise, Toyota would have done something about it from factory). If you deviate from the stock specs, you're liable to end up looking goofy if you don't lower. I've seen only very few 18" wheel Prius that don't look funky unlowered (comparable to the stock Five).

    However, if you get the Plus wheels, it might look funny unlowered because people are used to seeing the Plus Prius factory lowered so I'd definitely lower it with the Plus wheels.
     
  18. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    In terms of handling, do the lowering springs and anti-sway bar make a big difference? Or is it (the springs) mainly for the lowered look?

    Do the lowering springs mess up the stock shocks at all by compressing them too much or anything?
     
  19. BreitrthnU

    BreitrthnU Can you smell the premix?

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    Springs and sway bar make a big difference. Get it. I also got Mike's mid and front under braces, I love the handling.
     
    sarir97 likes this.
  20. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Thanks, were did you get those?