I Can't Make a Decision.

[99BlackSandv6]

Alright Guys, I can't make up my mind. I want to lower my car, but I figure it needs new strut mounts too. I figured that if I get all the stuff new it'll cost about $900 because mounts are about $300. So I am thinking maybe I should get coilovers instead since they are only 'a little more' expense, and a lot cooler-- because they are adjustable. I know if I don't get them now I will get them later. Since I am planning on keeping the car for a LONG time, I kinda look at stuff as an investment in the life of the car. So my question is should I hold off on buying mounts and just put the springs and struts on, or should I blow a chunk of money on coilovers as an investment into the future? Or should I buy new springs and struts with new mounts and get coilovers later on?

Next thing is, I know I should replace my spark plugs and wires, and I want to do an exhaust upgrade too. But I can't decide on getting the obx headers or a Megan exhaust. Both cost about the same, the headers would probably be a little more because I need a cat installed. I already have a Magnaflow muffler installed, and I like the way it sounds and looks. Of course, I see myself getting both at some point down the road. Which do I get first?
Basically I can't figure out what to do and when to do it. It's a problem I have that I'm trying to fix, without a lot of buyer's remorse.

So to sum it up I can:

A. get springs, struts + or - mounts (get coilovers later)
B. get coilovers (save money by skipping lowering springs and struts)
C. get a megan exhaust before headers
D. get obx headers before megan exhaust

What should I do?

Sorry if this is long winded but I have found that it helps me if I put stuff in writing and get second opinions. So, does anyone have input? All comments are welcomed.

-Ben

[1gSE]

do you NEED coilvers? I personally wouldn't get them unless i was taking the car to the track......a lot. For a dd i'd go with a nice spring/strut combo. For the exhaust side, if i was in your situation, i'd go with the headers, keep that muffler and just go to a muffler shop and get a new, larger pipe made with a hi flow cat back to the muffler.

[mazen222]

Wow... Too much reading for sunday morning

Droping the car is nice!

[SleeperSolara]

If you drive your car daily, i would just get struts and springs.
If the city streets are hella smooth and flat, i would get coilovers, IMO.
As for exhaust i would get get the OBX headers and y-pipe.

[unbalancedwood]

Why do you think you need mounts? I thought I did, but what happened is just the 'clunk' sound was that the strut nut wasent tightened properly.

You can get springs & struts for ~$500 new. Think about getting those big performance parts (exhaust, headers, etc) before you get them. Your solara wont be fast unless you get a supercharger...

[akora12]

The daily driveability of a c/o is dependent on the spring setup. There's no hard and fast rule that c/o's are always uncomfortable. If you want to have the option of controlling your ride height and dampening, spend the few extra dollars and get coilovers.

[99BlackSandv6]

Thanks for all the input guys. My thinking on the coilovers is that I KNOW that I will get them eventually, I just didn't want to spend $900 on springs and struts with new mounts if I can get coilovers for $1000-1400. So if I got the co's now I would save money in the long run. As for the exhaust, I'll probably throw the obx headers on and save the cat-back for later.

Oh and unbalancedwood, I know m car won't be fast without a supercharger. I'm working on that. I just want a little more for now.

Thanks

Ben

[SleeperSolara]

Thanks for all the input guys. My thinking on the coilovers is that I KNOW that I will get them eventually, I just didn't want to spend $900 on springs and struts with new mounts if I can get coilovers for $1000-1400. So if I got the co's now I would save money in the long run. As for the exhaust, I'll probably throw the obx headers on and save the cat-back for later.

Oh and unbalancedwood, I know m car won't be fast without a supercharger. I'm working on that. I just want a little more for now.

Thanks

Ben

Screw the S/C, 3MZ!!!!!!!

[99BlackSandv6]

^ that's a possibility for sure. I may be able to pick up a 3 block in the future.