Secondhand set of bilsteins or H&R and get them checked over for that budget I reckon.
Or just go for eibach/cooksport springs, and new cup dampers.
You'll do that for about 300 ish
Then you have a few hundred to spend on new track rods, track rod ends, steering rack bushes and strut top mounts.
Will drive like brand new then
(well slightly better in fact!)
Edit: Sorry mate, reading fail, didnt see you say 182 cup packed, I was offering advice for a normal 172.