I always do the same thing when I get a new scooby. All new brakes and all new suspension. I have learned my lesson a long time ago. It all comes down to your budget really but I have seen a lot of parts being scraped over the last few weeks on ebay :)
Do you know if the grinding sound is coming from the brakes or the else where? If you have a spare bit of cash see if you can get a brakes of a wrx that's some one is breaking fresh start type sketch.
Hmm what little run a bout you thinking of?
Not much around that comes close but peeps will try :P Yeah bet you do surprise a few people, they are probably thinking you're out in your blokes car. Which makes beating them even more enjoyable :P