i'll give you my take on it...just something for you to consider
note my roads are on the bad side apart from the highways (which are not in great condition now either..lol)...so i need something comfortable as well
i was in your position a few years ago...i had trd shocks (and trd springs) on the car that were worn and needed a suitable replacement both cost and performance wise. so i analysed my option
- Koni...they came up to be around US$1200 locally and i recall hearing i would need to cut the front shock and reuse the bottom piece as the koni fronts were inserts. and would have to pay maybe a machine shop to properly cut the old front shocks which was an additional cost. i didnt like that idea and the price was rather high. good point is the koni were adjustable and locals had used them in the past and rated them highly
- KYB gr2 or sr...would have to import which would drive the price around the price of konis, with less adjustability....i'd have to add shipping and import/custom duties to maybe US$500 for both
- new TRD shocks...from dealer that's maybe US$1100/1200 for all four, but would have to special order which is an additional cost
- Meister coilovers... around gbp650/700 i think (US$1200 at past exchange rates, its much cheaper now), i know they were a bit cheaper at that time with ttgt discount...plus shipping and duties maybe around another US$500 for both
- D2, trd, etc coilovers...all a bit too harsh for my likings based on my research
i decided to go with meister as it worked out to be the best bang for buck and i have not regretted it since...the ride quality is great, even my dad has driven the car on the odd occasion with no complaints
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr1myQqgExc
that vid of the local starlet racing shows a little how our local roads are...hard suspension is not an option..lol