so from the reading i've been doing this sounds like the way to go.... my questions are
where to look for the best pricing?
realistically can I do the install myself, mothers boyfriend is a mechanic but he's a bit of a dick and will only provide minimal help hahaha
what else should I be looking for to tighten up the ride?

any help is appreciated

 

That would be the best way to go, if you got the money. Try eBay, thats going to be probably your best bet, just make sure they are the real thing, and not knock-offs.

Possibly, they have DIYs, just gotta know where to look, I guess. It is something you can do, just need a compressor too.

You could get control arms, strut bars, stuff like that will generally help.