I've sort of softened on my old position of GC coilovers with the following caveat:
The idea popped into my head since another member is doing this.
Cost estimation:
IF you know exactly the valving you want, this is how much a Bilstein setup will cost you:
$400 for a set of 4 struts/shocks
$420 for the ground control sleeves
$300 for a set of front caster / camber plates
$260 for the revalve
$1380 + misc shipping expenses for a set of non-dampening adjustable but height adjustable coilovers. One should only go this route after verifying the valving needed for the shocks via a method such as this:
http://www.farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets6.html
Suspension Speed Histogram section.
This is what I intend to do with my car later on, but as this member pointed out to me is that you first need to invest in good quality adjustable struts for the FC like Koni or Ohlins. After you get the valving just right for your car, detach them, send them off to Bilstein, have them copy the valving and sell off your older, more expensive shocks.
Now you have a solution that is optimised and when it fails, can be cheaply replaced.
Very high initial cost (1 Set of Expensive Coilovers + 1 Set of GC / Bistein - 1 Set of Used Expensive Coilovers) but pays off in the long run.
My current suspension problem involves trying to stuff as much tire as possible into the front and rear wheel wells with out using overfenders. I'm trying to find out which coilovers provide both reliable shock valving as well as extra wheel / tire clearance. Maybe I'll give Stance a call if I can verify that both their valving and their adjusters work well and meet certain criteria.