Improving a V reg fiesta

[MiniMac]

Hi guys, I'm after a bit of advice please.

I've got a wee bit of money through a bonus at work, and was wondering whether it would be worth improving my fiesta or saving for a bigger and better car. I'm only 19, so insurance on anything big is daft!
Fiesta is in good nick, with only a few niggles. 58k miles on the clock, getting the cam belt done this month.

I'd ideally like to make it go faster, stop quicker, or handle better. I have extremely little interest in bolting plastic shit to it.

Where is a good place to start? Parts readily available? If I put uprated brakes (eg) on there, will that mean it is 'modified' and invalidate my insurance?

Thank you PH

[plasticpig]

Save it for a better car is my advice.

[Jon GT2]

I tend to think Pig is right,but always start with suspension and brakes before you make it go faster if thats what you decide.Notify your insurance and make sure you have something in writing they are only too happy to wriggle out of paying whenever possible.

[Zad]

My favourite mod is to put polyurethane bushes on the front suspension. Something like: http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products.asp?cat=0010&a...

They won't make it go faster in a straight line, but they will sharpen the steering and improve body control around the twisties. Theoretically they may improve braking distance, but they will certainly improve the level of control you have. In a car that age the front anti-roll bar mounting bushes may be at the end of their life anyway.

No insurer I have mentioned it to has classed it as a performance mod.