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[Krazed Kanary]

First things first! Without having knowlege of the driver and their goals, throwing around changes and numbers is irresponsible and possibly dangerous IMHO.

First one must define the objective they are after:
Street handling
Drag racing
AX handling
Drifting
Road racing

Next define the parameters:
Rules that must be adhered to?
Self satisfaction without limitation?

Then the budget alloted:
little to no out of pocket
willing to buy a stickier set of street tires to put on stock wheels
willing to buy dedicated race rubber and lightweight wheels
willing to buy aftermarket suspension components or have custom parts built
I've got a rich daddy and I love to spend his money

Finally an honest assessment of the driver's ability:
I can't get into a parking space at the mall in less than 3 tries
I watch NASCAR
I'd define understeer as a cow from Australia
I can go fast in a straight line only, twisty roads make me sick
I've been on a dragstrip but never on a road course
I have autocrossed on street tires/less than 10 times
I have AXed on race rubber for more than 1 season but usually finish in the bottom half the field
I participate in time trials on actual roadrace courses
I AX as often as possible and finish in the upper 25%/have taken several Evolution or other professional driving schools
I have trophied at the SCCA Solo National Championships
I race wheel to wheel in club/professional racing.

If you do not fall into one of the last four categories of driving ability, IMHO you should stop worrying about the handling of the car and spend your time/money/efforts on improving your driving skills. You will never be able to appreciate/evaluate the real differences in handling, or be able to set up the car to handle at the maximum possible. In fact if you fall into the first 6 categories of driving abilities a perfectly neutral or slightly loose handling car could be out and out dangerous in your hands. Street cars are designed to understeer badly when pushed for a very good reason, most drivers would kill themselves or others in an emergency situation otherwise.
Finally NEVER test out the handling of a vehicle on public roads, they are not designed with enough safety buffer should you get in trouble, and innocent bystanders deserve to live safe healthy lives.