i think the most important issue here is that i doubt most people on this site even come close to pushing there cars to its limits... handling wise... i mean i recently just did that last sunday at a solo2 event.... fine tuned suspension isn't for general civics... its for racecars... most people dont even care if there lowering spring improve performance... you can see that by all the people who dont research and just buy the cheapest springs or coil overs they can find....

i think that my springs which have my car sitting rather low... are pushing the limits of my stock shocks... but i mean they are working fine so far... but i wont really be spending more money to put aftermarket shocks in down the road as i did my spring install myself... and the second time the bolts wont be quite so stuck either.... i know lots of people who lowered with stock shocks and they did fine for months even over a year.... it all comes down to how much stress your car is put under...

 

Mostly just Luck...My stock shocks pissed oil after 2 weeks of a 2 inch drop, they also had 150k mind you...I dont really drive it hard all the time...and like you said some people get a year out of them!! I think it really comes down to just plain luck, everyone has a different case, cuz everyones shocks have been through different driving conditions, some cars may go their whole life without ever haveing a passenger in the back seat, some cars might of been some kids highschool bus trucking their friends around everyday, which significantly reduces the life of a shock, and is also why milage is not a good tell tale of a shocks condition... Point being you will never know till you drop it and see if there are puddles of oil behind you wheels And is also the reason why its like gambling when you do the drop, and cant afford new struts, cuz if they do leak then your pickled!!
But hell, kudos to those who do get by with them, cuz your saving allot of money 600$ can buy a decent mini home theater stereo

 

you know what though that is why Honduh's get so much bad rap because of the general thing of people buying complete garbage for suspension and they dont' care if it makes performance better they just want that "mad sweet drop yo" with crazy camber...most are young and stupid....that is the essence of a "Rice boy" please aggree wiht me on this one because it is so true

 

thats entirely true... i mean obviously a lower car does look better... but if you want that why not and dont care about performance why not just cut your springs and save your money.... its funny seeing the kids not only in hondas but all imports getting coil overs and dropping there car as low and the coilovers will allow.... and seeing them bounce around like a popcorn kernel in there seat....

 

lol dam then I was lucky coz my stock shock with the Apex sport springs lasted 5yrs