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Just picked up a 2008 Prius... Looking to upgrade

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Lightjockey, May 16, 2012.

  1. Lightjockey

    Lightjockey New Member

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    Hello everyone.

    I just got my first Toyota/hybrid...
    2008 Prius with 140,000 miles
    Bought it off my mom got a great deal.
    She bought it brand new and it's mostly
    highway miles.

    I love this car. Had it for a few days, I find something
    new I like about it everyday.

    The only issue is my mom hit a curb really hard
    and as a result the front suspension is damaged.

    She has been driving the with the damaged front suspension
    For like 3 years. Causes lots of tire wear.
    I took it to my mechanic and he showed me what was damaged.

    The drivers side strut and a-arm are noticeably bent.

    My mechanic said like $650 to install (2) new front struts and
    the left a-arm. Does that sound right?

    Kinda wishing the front was a little lower.

    Should I (can I) just buy a pair of coil-overs
    For the front. Along with the a-arm.
    Obviously this would allow me to lower the front...
    Would this make for a better ride?
    Should I just replace the struts with factory parts?

    I've read some about the suspension of these cars.

    Which coil-overs/springs, front/rear sway bars, stiffening plates, etc..
    are the best for the 2nd gen Prius? I want a smooth but tight feel.

    Ive read of Toyota Matrix/corolla sway bar for thr prius..
    I'm in Miami, Fl so plenty of junkyards around town.

    Who has the best info. on front suspension.
    (cost effective)

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Lightjockey, May 16, 2012
  2. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    i can't say i'd want coil overs on an economy car; its not gonna be a racer, but i'd get it fixed asap. might be someone here will know which brand of strut is the best. and you didn't hear it from me, but people been cutting the springs to lower cars since the stone age. i wouldn't cut more than half a coil off any spring, but i've seen mustangs where they cut em so short, they'd almost fall out when you put the car on the lift. kinda dangerous and downright stupid.
    if you have little money, get a strut and control arm from the junk yard; might be a corolla arm is the same, and you can snatch the corolla front sway bar while you're there. check the part numbers to see if the arm is the same.

    $650 is less than you'd pay for 2 struts and a control arm in this area.
     
    #2 69shovlhed, May 16, 2012
  3. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    Friends don't let friends cut their springs! Don't cut your springs! Don't be a ricer!
     
    #3 a_gray_prius, May 16, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    A setof lower springs and 17" wheels will make the car handle much much better. Expect the ride to be a bit more bouncy. I wouldn't worry about the sway bar stuff unless you feel you need it later. The bars don't really do much IMO.
     
    #4 F8L, May 16, 2012
  5. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    What do you mean by "smooth but tight"? Suspension mods allow you to choose between comfort and control... you can't have it both ways unless you put several $k into a fully adjustable setup.

    How do you typically drive? What do you notice is lacking? Start from there and decide based on that.

    Also keep in mind you might want stickier tires if tight cornering is what you're after. You can mod the suspension all you want but it won't help if you're driving on banana peels.

    It's his car, let him do what he wants, and save your name-calling for the playground with the rest of 2nd grade.
     
    #5 maestro8, May 17, 2012
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    A good progressive spring can give you a little of both. The Eibach and TRD kit is a good example of this. They provide an almost OE cushiness when not under load but tighten up when under load. The following is the progressive rate for the Eibach rear springs:

    Progressive Rate =25-34 N/mm (143-194 lbs/in)

    Cutting springs is dangerous. Some people are not aware of this so the advice to cut them should not be promoted on this forum.
     
    #6 F8L, May 17, 2012
  7. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    #7 a_gray_prius, May 17, 2012
  8. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    yeah, i probably shouldn't have even brought it up. if you can afford new springs, and you really really think the car sits too high, it might be worth it to get some quality aftermarket springs. sure would hate to bottom my car out though...
     
    #8 69shovlhed, May 17, 2012
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