I'm going to jump on the springs and shocks band wagon, it's likely the way I'll be going eventually as I've done the whole coil over thing and wasn't really impressed and am yet to find a set that does good comfort and track. As its a daily I think that's the important one. 

In terms of the cost, it's going to be pricey but I think you should fix the bushes first, the $150 kit Eric mentioned sounds awesome and will improve the drive substantially. You can live with old shocks for a while (I do) its no real danger to yourself its just more boaty. 

And selling? Logic would dictate the idea is worth considering but I don't think any of us have followed logic, I should probably sell mine for a later one but I'm not going to. Keep SW20SC shes a good car and means more to you than just transport. These suspension fixes are fairly easy and will only take a few months for the bushes and a bit longer for the suspension. 

If it is just a street car with improved cornering you want, Just put 22mm heavy duty sway bars on front and back. Get new oem rubbers if needed as this stop road vibration going through the chassis. If you got the buget just replace the standard shocks for new one. This will give you a softer ride. I use this option for every day driving including the Sunday Adelaide hills for faster driving. As you may know bad bumps ets. I still have my kidneys after a day out.
Shaz, I don't think you will drive the car past the limits of setup like this.
 
If you are going track this car, then coil overs only. Remember tracks don't have potholes bad bumps etc. 

I agree, the minimum you need is the bushing kit, which is cheap and relatively easy to do!

I'd be happy to install these for you whilst the car is up in QLD getting work done. I believe the workshop you're going to has a press. 

Dont stress about the bump stops - not a big deal. 

Eric
I agree, the minimum you need is the bushing kit, which is cheap and relatively easy to do!

I'd be happy to install these for you whilst the car is up in QLD getting work done. I believe the workshop you're going to has a press. 

Dont stress about the bump stops - not a big deal. 

That's a fantastic offer Eric! Great to see the MR2 Community helping each other out. I'd offer to help too if i was a bit closer lol.

Carmikey

Shaz
He was also being honest, saying it may not be worth spending the money on her & suggesting that i may be better off buying something else. 
noooooooo 
 
see my signature below...................... 

I think it's time to sell Shaz, buy yourself a neater one.

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I'm not sure i agree, as a car can be part of the family. I know people that have spent thousands on their pets, and cars can have a similar attachment. I regret to this day selling my 77 Celica - It wasn't worth maintaining then, but their values have skyrocketed now, and i still miss it to this day.
Owning a MR2 is never a practical choice anyway, we bought them because of the way we feel about them. I doubt many of us could really justify the money we've spent on them.
Sharon might be able to buy a neater MR2, but it wouldn't be the same, and there's a risk that she'd inherit someone elses problems...
She could possibly buy an 86 if she's looking for a newer, more reliable car. (But it's not a MR2)
Whatever she decides, she's always appreciated by the MR2 Community :)

Time to Sell? - Nah don't think so.  She isn't just a car to get me from A to B.  She's not even just an MR2.  The MR2 poster I had up on my "dream board" years ago, was this colour.  The way she came into my possession couldn't have been scripted.  I don't believe in coincidence.   I also realized a few years ago, that she came off the production line the very same month that my Dad passed away. 
I'd risk buying something else that needed fixes I've already had done.  Yeah paintwork is a bit sad, but it'll get done eventually.
With the money I've spent on her in the last 4 1/2 years I could have purchased something newer, but I didn't know that at the time & it wouldn't have been as much fun.  There were a couple of times I seriously considered selling her........ but then I picked her up from the car doctor & changed my mind. 
 
Eric - Thanks for that offer .  I'll weigh it all up once Peter gets back to me with prices, etc.
 
Thought I was just up for front tyres, so I got them fitted on Tuesday. - Michelin Pilot Sport 3.
Tyre guy said that the rears weren't very good either & Peter at Road to Race agreed, so have had them replaced today, stayed with the Falken Ze912.  He also mentioned a flat spot on the passenger wheel & showed me a video of it on the machine that spins them, guessing it was the balancer maybe?  It had quite a wobble.
 
Anyone got a stock 15" rear?  -  Wheel Fixed.
 

Ok, this is Peter's recommendations & what I will probably do.  Booked in for end of the month.
1/ Front strut inserts
2/ Rear strut inserts
3/ 4 x strut boot & bump stop kits
4/ Strut bar bush's / front
5/ Rear tow link bush's                 
6/ Rear sway bar bush's
7/ Strut tops / Front
Total Approx $2300 (including labour & a loan car for the few days )
 
I mentioned that a friend has some gen3 springs that I could have for a very good price (Thanks Whitchy)
 
He has recommended staying with all new parts & looked up King Springs & they list a standard lowering height spring.   The new springs may square off the ride height & restore the stance (Rake settings)....
New springs would average approx $100.00 per corner....... 

Ouch, that's a hefty bill. Hopefully be a different car when all fixed. Nice work Shaz.

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You'll have to ask him which strut inserts he's suggesting as I need some myself. I was just going to get Koni Yellow's they seem to be favored amongst MR2 owners but if there is a suitable alternate I'd love to hear it. 
 
Yea the King springs are newer and will suit fine, given the low complexity of the part I couldn't see too much of a difference between them and the Gen3 set but if it's all new makes sense to not mix parts. Will actually be a handling weapon when you're done. You'll feel so much more confident in the bends. 

Matts_SW20
 
Yea the King springs are newer and will suit fine, given the low complexity of the part I couldn't see too much of a difference between them and the Gen3 set but if it's all new makes sense to not mix parts.

 
In the long term, spring steel will tend to coarsen its grain structure, and flow slightly, and will over time plastically deform so a car springs may decrease somewhat in performance as the metal ages and start to sag.
 
Always better to go with a new spring and forget about using 20+ year old springs.