Newbie needs some advice... (Input appreciated)

Aight... i have been reading all these threads to see if i could answer the questions myself but i can't. So here it is... I want to lower my car 1. to get rid of that wheel gap 2. to get it to handle a little better. Unlike some people here i don't race (professionally) and or otherwise so i don't really need to spend 1k on race suspension. My car is a commuting car and i am going college but like everyone here i like having fun :-). I have a 95 Honda Civic Coupe. I know i get what i pay for but i was wondering what i should do. I don't need my car to handle like a sports car but i don't want it to be like i cut the springs. If i spend the money i want to do it right. I still have the stock tires and rim but i am planning on getting some 16" rims in the future. So that is why i was thinking of getting some coilovers, i would really appreciate input from everyone who has done this or maybe been in the same situation as me... thanks for the help.

Beezy

I would suggest then Neuspeed Sports (1.8" drop) with Tokico Illuminas or AGX shocks. Springs are a great way to get the car lowered without having to spend time adjusting collars of coilovers. Cause if you don't get coilovers right it will handle worse than stock.

Another thing you might want ot look at is getting lighter wheels in 15" size with 205/50x15" tires like Azenis, Yokohama ES100, or Toyo T1-S. You will be amazed what stickier tires will do.

well if was going to keep the stock tires/rims for awhile would it be smart for me to go w/ coilovers or just do what you said? How much do you think price range wise? Plus if i get coilovers i will set it to how i like it then leave it. i won't be changing it every 5 minutes... i am just trying to plan in the future... i rather spend a lot of money once then a little 5 times...

Well if you get coilovers you have to be patient and play around with them to get your car to sit right. And if you are really anal take it to a shop with a corner weight scales to get the car balanced properly. When I installed my Ground Controls last year I had every corner within 1mm of each other. Took me a bit, but then I took it to the race shop and he said the one collar only needed a 1/4 turn :) But you also have to take into account how flat a surface you are trying to adjust the coilovers on too.

Once that's done you get an alignment and your car should corner great.

nice thanx

If you'r on a budget, I would also go for the springs. Find some springs that give the drop you want, and if you don't have the money, wait a little with buying new shocks. The Honda shocks are pretty good compared to other brands and they can handle a drop for a short while. I drove around with the stock shocks on my car with a 2" drop for 1 year. Now I'm got Koni Yellows and you really feel the difference.

So you don't need to buy aftermarket shocks immediately, but you will feel a serious difference if you do...