simple coilover questions.
 

I don't know much about coilovers and for the longest time i thought that they were just a type of lowering spring you could crank up and down (for winter/summer) or the hight you wanted. But after looking them up a few times they seem to look like they are the shock + spring together? Also i cant seem to tell weather you want the springs to be stiffer or softer? I think it depends if you want a smoother ride vs better handling? I belive that the xA has the front shocks inside of the springs but the back are seperate correct?

correct. the fronts are a coil over strut, the rears are seperate springs and shocks. Do your homework on brands, they all have their pros and cons, choose the ones you think will suit YOUR needs most.