New shoes for the Da-v

What brand and size? Wheels standard?

 

I recommend that you lower it. The v has a high profile and when you add aftermarket wheels the gap in the wheel wells is too much. Lowering will improve the profile, lower your stance, and improve the handling...and make it look better.



If you are looking for just a modest drop I recommend the Tanabe NF210s. They just recently released those for the v. The picture of my car above is with Tanabe Sustec Pro coilovers. See the link below if you want to read more about other Tanabe products you could add to your v.

My Tanabe R&D Experience (long) | PriusChat

 

The picture above is with it set at its lowest position just for pictures to show the difference between the highest and lowest setting. The Tanabe folks set it at its recommended settings prior to me picking it up. I am guessing its dropped about 1.5 inches all around. My v is my daily as well and it works just fine. I do have to be more careful with angled driveways and speed bumps as wells as watching out for the front lip when I park.

It will change the ride but for the better. Much tighter handling. You will feel the road more and need to be careful of dips and potholes. And you lessen the huge gap that you have that became much more noticeable with your new wheel setup.

 

No problem. It will definitely change the ride but not to the point where its uncomfortable. I have had sports cars in the past so I am used to the stiffer ride of performance springs and actually prefer it. Will probably depend on the type of roads you drive on as well. I love what its done to my ride both from a performance and looks perspective. The NF210s are their springs that lower the car and try to stay as close to OEM comfort as possible. I say go for it. As to DIY.....I am not mechanically inclined to handle it myself. Luckily I have friends who are. Keep me posted on what you decide.

 

Are you going to sell the original wheels?

 

I installed 18x7.5 Enke's with a Megan Racing full Coilover kit and the car still drives great. You definitley feel the road more.

 

It's a sportier feeling.

I agree with other posters, it needs to be lowered to complete the look.

 

I can't believe nobody has inquired as to the MPG hit. up/down? If so, how much? Plus what tire pressure are you running? What is the weight diff from the OEM's compared to these?
Overall they look great!

 

What's the MPG hit on your wheel/tire setup?

If I have to guess, MPG hit will be down and the wheel weight will be around mid to high 20s. My guess for MPG hit will be around 5-7 MPG.

But who cares as long as it looks good. Just like many women who wears high heels, they don't care if it uncomfortable as long as it looks sexy!

 

Hmmm. . . Don't you mean "men" don't care if the women's high heels are uncomfortable?

 

What offset for the wheels and what tires are you running? I'm assuming there's no rubbing?

 

You named your Prius already da-v. Might as well lower it.