If you want a reliable and comfortable but firmer ride get a good strut/spring set up. Bilstein shocks and RCE yellow/black springs are in high demand because of their quality. Koni inserts are also a great upgrade that offer adjustable damping and are more readily available, but you have to modify your stock front struts. Because of their adjustable damping, they are slightly better for a broader range of springs.
Another option is to buy preowned set ups, look in the classified under suspension to buy. But do some research and read through the suspension subforum under Technical