Good choice in car.

Phase 1: should be able to find what your looking for in that price range. Try to get a good set of tires though. Your suspension is only as good as your tires. You can spend $4K on suspension goodies, but without good tires it's a waste.

Phase 2: If thats what you want get them. Most people on here will flame you though.

Phase 3: There are strut bars on ebay for cheap. However these parts are not made by companies that do any kind of research/development usually. I think you would enjoy a rear swaybar better. It will affect handling more so than a strut/tie bar.

Phase 4: Really depends on what kind of job you want. I know of a good shop in Jacksonville, but they aren't cheap. You get what you pay for when it comes to paint.