the progressive springs can be as soft as a standard spring to a definate way of spring travel and gets harder with more travel to prevent the car from sitting on bump stops. for example: if you go over a lightly bumpy road, the ride comfort should be as standard (small amount of suspension travel). if you chuck the car through a corner, the loaded springs get "harder" with more roll (more travel). you can not simply use shorter springs with the same hardness as standard (byebye shocks). The FRP is the 1.7 16v, right!? H&R makes springs for these, but i am afraid they could maybe a bit too firm for your liking. at least you could try them...