GTA 5 Lowrider Customization Guide: Costs, Hydraulics & Benny's Shop Tips

So, you're cruising around Los Santos in GTA 5, and you spot someone with a slick lowrider bouncing down the street. Man, that looks cool. You think, "I need one of those!" But how do you even start? It's not just about slapping on some paint – customising a lowrider in GTA 5 takes a bit of know-how. I remember when I first tried it, I wasted a ton of cash on useless parts because I didn't get the basics. Total rookie move. Let's dive deep into how to customise your car lowrider in GTA 5, step by step. We'll cover everything: where to go, what parts cost, how to avoid glitches, and real tips from my own mess-ups. Why bother? 'Cause owning a tricked-out ride makes the game way more fun – you'll turn heads in multiplayer and dominate races. Plus, with this guide, you won't end up frustrated like I did.

Why You Should Bother Customising a Lowrider in GTA 5

Customising your car lowrider in GTA 5 isn't just for show; it changes how you play. Honestly, I used to ignore it, thinking it was a waste of time. Big mistake. Once I got my first fully modded lowrider, the hydraulics let me jump over obstacles in chases, and the unique paint jobs made me stand out in car meets. It boosts your in-game rep too. But let's be real – some upgrades are pure fluff. Performance tweaks like engine boosts actually help you win races, while fancy rims might just drain your bank account. If you're short on cash, focus on hydraulics first; they're the heart of a lowrider. Trust me, skipping this part is like buying a sports car and never driving it fast. Why not max it out?

Finding the Right Shop: Where to Go for Lowrider Customs

First things first, you need to know where to customise that ride. In GTA 5, not every shop handles lowriders. The big one is Benny's Original Motor Works. It's the only place that offers full lowrider mods, including hydraulics. Location-wise, Benny's is in Strawberry, near downtown Los Santos. You can find it on the map easily – it's got a big sign and is open 24/7 in-game. Other shops like Los Santos Customs are everywhere, but they only do basic stuff like paint or wheels. Forget them for real lowrider work. I once drove to a random customs shop thinking I could save time, but nope – wasted gas and got nothing done. Stick to Benny's. Costs? Entry fees are free, but mods add up. Here's a table of key shops for lowrider customisation in GTA 5:

Shop Name	Location in GTA 5	Specialty	Operating Hours
Benny's Original Motor Works	Strawberry, Los Santos (near Forum Drive)	Full lowrider conversions, hydraulics, custom parts	24/7
Los Santos Customs	Multiple locations (e.g., La Mesa, Strawberry)	Basic mods only (no hydraulics)	24/7
Beeker's Garage	Paleto Bay	Minor fixes, no lowrider options	24/7

Getting there is simple: drive any car (that can be upgraded) to Benny's. If it's a convertible or muscle car, they might not take it – only certain models work. I recommend buying a Voodoo or Chino from websites first; they're cheap and perfect starters. Address-wise, it's 35 Forum Drive for Benny's. Walk in, park in the bay, and you're set. But watch out – if your car isn't eligible, Benny won't even let you in. Happened to me with a random sedan; felt dumb. So, how to customise your car lowrider in gta 5 starts here.

Breaking Down the Parts: What You Can Change on Your Lowrider

Alright, once you're at Benny's, the menu pops up, and it's overwhelming. So many options! Let's break it down into sections. You've got exterior, interior, performance, and hydraulics. Each affects your ride differently. For instance, hydraulics are key for that bounce, while engine mods help speed. But not all parts are worth it. I learned the hard way that expensive paint fades fast in rain, and some rims slow you down. Prioritise based on your budget. Here's a detailed look:

Exterior Customisations

This is what people see first. You can change the paint, wheels, bumpers, and more. Paint jobs range from $5,000 to $20,000 in-game dollars. Metallic finishes look slick but cost more. Wheels? Go for lowrider-specific ones like "Spinners" or "Classic Rods" – they're $8,000-$15,000. Bumpers and skirts add style but don't boost performance. My tip: don't blow all your cash on chrome if you're broke; start with a cheap color and upgrade later. Ever seen a lowrider with mismatched parts? Looks tacky. Avoid that by planning ahead.

Interior Upgrades

Inside the car, you can tweak seats, dashboards, and trim. It feels fancy but doesn't affect gameplay much. Costs run $3,000-$10,000. I got leather seats once, but honestly, in first-person view, it's barely noticeable. Save money here unless you're rolling in cash. A better investment is the sound system; it bumps audio for $5,000 and makes chases more immersive.

Performance Mods

Now, this matters. Engine upgrades boost speed and acceleration. Turbo costs $50,000 but makes your lowrider zoom. Transmission mods help shifting for $10,000. Suspension? Critical for handling. I upgraded mine to "Competition" level for $20,000, and it made hydraulics smoother. Without good suspension, your car bounces wildly and crashes easy. Performance parts are pricey but essential – skip them, and you'll lose races.

Hydraulics: The Heart of Your Lowrider

Hydraulics are what make lowriders unique in GTA 5. They let you hop, tilt, and bounce. At Benny's, you'll find options like "Street" or "Pro" hydraulics ($100,000-$250,000). Pro gives more control with separate buttons for front, back, left, right. But it's tricky to master. I spent hours practicing in empty lots because I kept flipping over at first. Controls vary: on PS, it's L1/R1 for jumping. Why is this important? It helps evade cops or show off. Without hydraulics, it's not a true lowrider. That's key to how to customise your car lowrider in gta 5 – get these right or don't bother. Here's a price summary for common parts at Benny's:

Part Category	Example Options	Cost Range (in-game $)	Impact on Gameplay
Hydraulics	Street, Pro, Competition	$100,000 - $250,000	High: Essential for bouncing and maneuvering
Engine	Turbo, Engine Level 4	$50,000 - $150,000	High: Boosts speed and acceleration
Wheels	Spinners, Classic Rods	$8,000 - $15,000	Low: Cosmetic only
Paint	Metallic, Chrome, Crew Color	$5,000 - $20,000	Low: Visual appeal
Suspension	Competition, Street	$10,000 - $20,000	Medium: Improves handling with hydraulics

After seeing this, you might wonder: "How do I actually do this step by step?" Let's get into it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Customising Your Lowrider

Okay, time to roll up your sleeves. How to customise your car lowrider in gta 5 isn't rocket science, but follow my method to save cash and avoid glitches. I'll walk you through from start to finish, based on my own trial and error. First, you need a convertible car like the Buccaneer or Primo. Buy one online or steal it. Drive to Benny's. Park in the mod bay. The menu shows up. Now, here's how to navigate:

Start with hydraulics: Choose "Hydraulics" and pick a level. Go for "Pro" if you can afford it; it's worth the control.
Move to performance: Upgrade engine and transmission first. Skip brakes if you're on a budget.
Then exterior: Pick wheels and paint. Dark colors hide dirt better – trust me, light shades get grimy fast.
Finally interior: Only add sound system; the rest is fluff.

Total cost? A basic custom job runs $150,000-$300,000. For a full build, expect $500,000+. Money-saving tip: Do missions to earn cash first. I did Simeon's jobs for quick bucks. Test drive before buying; the menu lets you preview changes. Ever bought something and hated it? Preview saves regrets. Controls for hydraulics: On Xbox, it's LB/RB to jump. Practice in a quiet area like Sandy Shores to avoid crashing. Why is this important? Hydraulics take skill – I wrecked my ride multiple times before getting it right. Common issues? Sometimes the game glitches, and parts don't apply. If that happens, restart or drive out and back in. Happened to me, and I lost $20k on a paint job. Frustrating. But overall, customising your car lowrider in GTA V gets addictive once you nail it.

Cost Breakdown and Money-Saving Hacks

Money talks in GTA 5, and customising ain't cheap. Let's be real: dropping half a million on a car sounds crazy. But you can save. Start by knowing costs. Hydraulics alone cost $100k min. Performance mods add $50k-$150k. Paint? Another $10k. Total for a decent lowrider: $200k-$400k. For a top-end build, it's $500k+. I once spent $600k on a Primo, and while it looked awesome, I ran out of cash for ammo. Bad move. Here's how to save:

Do heists: Pacific Standard pays big. Earn $200k-$500k per run.
Use discounts: Watch for Rockstar events; Benny's often has sales (e.g., 50% off hydraulics).
Buy used cars: Steal convertible models instead of buying new. I grabbed a Buccaneer off the street for free.
Skip unnecessary parts: Ignore interior trim; focus on hydraulics and engine.

But why bother if it's pricey? 'Cause a custom lowrider boosts fun and resale. Sell it later for profit if you mod it right. How much? A fully tricked-out ride can fetch $100k-$300k back. Not bad. Still, costs sting – that's why I recommend starting small. Learn how to customise your car lowrider in gta 5 with a budget build first.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Customising isn't always smooth. I've made plenty of errors, and they're painful. Like forgetting to save after modding and losing everything. Or buying weak hydraulics that barely bounce. Let's troubleshoot common issues. Hydraulics not working? Check if you upgraded suspension – without it, they're useless. Controls confusing? Remap buttons in settings. I set mine to D-pad for easier hops. Car not eligible? Only specific models work: Voodoo, Chino, Buccaneer. If you bring a sports car, Benny shrugs you off. Happened to me; wasted trip. Another big one: glitches. Sometimes mods vanish after loading. Save manually after each change. Or parts clip through – reload the game. Performance sucks? Upgrade engine before anything else. I skipped that and my lowrider crawled in races. Bad. Overall, customising your car lowrider in GTA V has flaws, but fixes are simple once you know.

Personal Experiences and Case Study

Let me share my own story. Back when GTA 5 dropped, I was clueless about customising. I bought a cheap Tornado, drove to Benny's, and blew $300k on random parts. Hydraulics were set to "Street," but I didn't upgrade suspension. Result? The car bounced wildly and flipped in my first race. Lost the event and cash. Embarrassing. I learned: always pair hydraulics with high-end suspension. Now, my go-to is a Chino with Pro hydraulics and turbo. Total cost: $400k. It flies in chases and dominates car meets. Feels awesome. But it took practice – I spent hours in Blaine County testing jumps. Worth it? Absolutely. Customising your car lowrider in gta 5 transforms the game. Why settle for stock?

Frequently Asked Questions About Lowrider Customisation

Got questions? I did too. Here's a quick FAQ based on what players ask most. It clears up doubts fast.

Where exactly is Benny's shop?

Benny's Original Motor Works is at 35 Forum Drive in Strawberry, Los Santos. Open 24/7. Drive any eligible car there.

How much money do I need to start?

For a basic custom job, aim for $150,000. Full build costs $400,000-$600,000. Do heists to build funds fast.

Which cars can be turned into lowriders?

Only convertibles like Buccaneer, Primo, Voodoo, Faction, and Chino. Others won't work at Benny's.

Why aren't my hydraulics working?

Did you upgrade suspension? Without it, hydraulics glitch. Also, check controls in settings. Remap if needed.

Can I sell a custom lowrider?

Yes! At Los Santos Customs, sell for up to $300,000 if fully modded. But prices drop based on damage.

What's the best part to upgrade first?

Hydraulics or engine. They give the biggest gameplay perks. Skip paint until last.

How do I master hydraulics controls?

Practice in open areas. Use separate buttons for front/back jumps. Takes time – I sucked at first too.

So, wrapping up, customising your car lowrider in gta 5 is all about smart choices. Focus on Benny's, invest in hydraulics and performance, and save cash with hacks. It's worth the effort; my custom rides are now my pride in-game. Still, it's not perfect – glitches annoy me, but fixes are out there. Dive in and make your dream lowrider.

September 26, 2025