Stance is everything in practically every section of the automotive hobby. But two particular sections take how your car sits and makes it the focal point unlike any other: low riders and hi-risers, better known as “Donks”. The two cultures have their supporters and detractors, like any other group, but both tend to be looked down upon, as most people assume that the car is effectively “destroyed” with the suspension modifications involved. It doesn’t help matters that some of the more popular candidates for both low riders and hi-risers are some of the same platforms favored by the hot rodding community and the restoration freaks. So for this edition of Would You Rather?, you get to take your pick: do you take the high road, or do you take the low?
Lowriders aren’t just a lowered car. Hydraulic or air suspensions can adjust the car up or down, and can be made to “dance” using switches on a control box. Dayton wire wheels and Supreme five-spoke wheels in small sizes with stretched tires are the normal setup. These can be as simple as a bagged-out car or something that bounces straight out of a 1990’s Dr. Dre video.
Donks, on the other hand, go for the bigger-is-better routine. Here the look may or may not be important, but what must be changed out, without question, is the wheels. Wheel diameters above 20″ are required, and in order to clear more and more rolling mass, some have even taken to lifting cars in order to make room for more rolling stock. For even more fun, some of these rides are painted in themes, like this Monte Carlo:
You have your options, now let us know below what you would choose if you had no other choice!
Lowrider, no question. Had a 62 Bel Air with hydraulics. I don’t like the skateboard look with the tiny Daytons, but sled that drops on to the frame is just fine by me.
Donks, on the other hand, are just idiotic and pointless. I’d have to undo everything and basically restore it before it would be worth a damn for anything besides getting people to point and laugh.
lowrider without a doubt. I don’t particularly like them but they are automotive perfection compared to the abortion on wheels that is a donk. We have a few lowriders here and there in Australia, mainly because our cops just wont tolerate anything excessively stupid ( and a car that you have to drive really slowly on smaller than stock wheels with stretched tyres ticks all the stupid boxes there are) not to mention you’re not allowed to have adjustable suspension here unless the handbrake is on, the car is stopped, and you cant access the buttons from the drivers seat. Donks on the other hand have never made any appearance I’m aware of here a) because of the stupid factor, but b) because even the most retarded bogans on our shores have more taste than that.
In this case, it’s lowrider hands down. The majority of lowriders are usually well crafted (however flamboyant) pieces of art. The fit and finish inside and out are usually well done. There are also many over the top details like chromed, gold leafed, pinstriped, and flaked frames, engines and suspension pieces. They aren’t exactly my taste, but I can certainly appreciate the hard work and craftsmanship involved. It’s an artform that has evolved over the years and reflects on a car culture that somewhat parallels hotrodding. Donks on the other hand, generally seem to be pieces of junk with horrible bodywork and paint, sketchy suspension “upgrades”, cheap looking interiors with way to many speakers and tv’s, and ridiculous looking wheels. Fit and finish harly ever seems to be considered, let alone any sense of taste. They seem to be all about “flash” and nothing about quality workmanship. A lot of the ones I see look like $500 cars with $15k worth of crap glued to them in my opinion. Of course there will always be exceptions in either case, but lowriders are far nicer in general if I had to choose between them.
Lowrider. If they don’t have the crazy interiors or 12″ Daytons, they can be tasteful. The Donks on the other hand are just horrid. I’ve asked people who like them to explain what they find attractive about that style and they can never give me an answer
I have more respect for the lowriders because of the craftsmanship involved and knowing that they beef up their suspensions to make it all work. I found out about this from a lowrider I befriended while I was stationed at SDVT-1.
The “donks” on the other hand are nothing more than rolling abortions that need a toilet in the back to give you a place to puke in.
I have to go with Lowrider as well. Mine would have to be a 61 Impala convertible, decked out with airbrushed murals of hot latinas and Danny Trejo holding guns. I think it would be cool to cruize around on three wheels cranking gangsta rap. I think if I had a Donk it would be an Art statement piece, like a Newport themed caprice on 30″ wheels or a KFC themed Suburban with a chicken fryer in the back. On the other hand it would be funny to donk out a H1 Hummer just to see people’s faces of disgust.
Someone beat you to the Newport one. I’ve already seen a Newport themed Caprice. And a Kool(cigarettes, not Kool Aid) themed one as well. Lets see.. I’ve seen in person: Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, Dora the Explorer, Spongebob, Cheetos, Butterfinger, among a couple others I can remember the colors but not the brand, and of course, the two I previously mentioned.
Consider my mind officially blown!
that’s the other thing about dorks ( sorry donks) – ` theming’ – basically says I have so little taste that I don’t even care what I theme it on….chocolate bars? For a the friggin explorer?? where are the sanitary pad themed cars – bet they’re out there….
answer: C – none of the above.
Lowrider for sure. I had a 65 SS 396 that became a lowrider after I sold it.
I like lowriders. Before I got into hot rods/muscle cars, I was into lowriders. I still have a bunch of Lowrider mags from around 93-96. So, even though I have moved on from them, I’ll always appreciate and respect them. I’d still like to own one, preferably a 59 Impala, done with stock style paint and interior, but with hydraulics and reverse Supremes/whitewalls.
Donks…eh… Lucklily, I think they are going out of style. I haven’t seen one in a long time, and I live down south where they used to be REALLY popular.
Lowriders are cool. Donks are about as dumb as customization can get. And that donked Monte? Please, somebody kill it with fire.