I've had 2 other cars in the past and only lowered them by using springs.On my turbo Neon, I used Eibach with no need to replace the shocks or buy an expensive coilover kit. My second car was a superchaged, not turbo, PT Cruiser. It too was only lowered using springs. I used H&R. Now keep in mind this was only done for astetics. So if your doing it just for the looks, there is no need to buy a complete coilover system. But if you want to take it to the track, by all means, use a complete coil over kit. I had 18" rims and tires on both cars with no problems. These cars were driven on a daily basis. As for the alignment, absolutely. That should be done anyway with out beign even said, at least as a maintenance issue also. So far I have not heard anyone mention sway bars or strut tower braces. If your going to lower your car and change the wheel size then you will want to add both of these to the front and rear. As for the camber, that should be done when the car is give the alignment. All of which can be adjusted and dialed in. Considering the ride quality of my boxster, I'm still not sure if I would lower my car, only because I feel it is to low already. I have 18" rims and tires on it now. But if I dicided to lower it, I would only buy the springs, strut tower braces and some better anti-sway bars. As for cutting stock springs, I would definately advise against it. Stock springs are not made of the same thickness of metarial used on aftermarket lowering springs. Plus the after market srings are pre-wound closer together for a stiffer spring rate. People who cut thier springs will notice a bouncey feel, and you shocks will surely go out very fast. That's my 2 cents!
