i'd have to agree on the G/C Coil overs.....
i had a set in my escort....they were great...nice stiff handling but a tolerable ride...adn coilovers are for more than show and just dropping your car....you ride hight can do wonders for your handling....sut don't over do it...it took me 2 weeks fo messing around to find he sweet spots for the front and rear of the escort and when i was done it handled beutifuly....i've amazed alot of ppl with how well that car stuck....this with stock everything except the G/Cs and Tokico struts......i'd diffinatly go for the G/c espcialy cause when i was poking around their site theres a place you can enter your own spring rates or jsut tell them what you plan on doing with your car and they will pick the right ones...