Well tires can't be overlooked. That's the only thing connecting your car to the road. New tires would help...and I suggested buying some OEM alloys because they usually look good, and you can get them used cheap and that will give you a 15 inch wheel to start off. I'd lose those 14" wheels... They are just too small. 15" minimum.

If you are set on keeping your wheels, you can do that, but you'll have better options I would assume with a 15" inch wheel, and the performance would increase a little.

I'd say do a sport drop with some good shocks, some sway bars, new 15" alloys with new rubber. 17" wheels and tires would give you more options for performance tires, and wider tires for more grip, and shorter sidewall will reduce roll, give more handling, but I brought up the 15" OEM alloys because you said money is tight and you can find them pretty cheap.