I want to lower and tighten up my ride in my 2001 impreza outback wagon. Do I need to replace the shocks if I do the springs, and can anyone recommend some quality reasonably priced springs?

H&R springs and Whiteline, both seem to get good reviews from all sides. Eibach tend to be very stiff, and only suited for very smooth tarmac.

 

Most experts will advise that lowering more than 40mm requires new shocks. I wouldn't go lower than 30mm on OE shocks.

 

The lowering springs get stiffer the more they lower and the shocks can't keep up. Most of the time the car will get a bouncy ride, that never settles down, even though the movements are smaller than with stock springs.

The stock damper's inability to contain rebound with very stiff springs can lead to dangerous behaviour. Stay in the 20-30mm range and keep your shocks.