If I can hear the rear struts compressing and decompressing, are they going bad?

I just bought a 1983 starion i saw listed on craigs list for 400.00 I bought sigt unseen because it has the hood that sells for 700.00 plus on ebay. The clutch was completely gone but it seemed to run perfect. towed it home replaced the clutch and that thing hauled a** down the street the first time I drove it but it started getting worse as i drove it. at first it would start sputtering at about 5 pounds of boost then three then 0 then it just wouldnt do anything. PLEASE HELP ME. ic can work on

I have an aftermarket cd player JVC. And have replaced rear speakers with pioneers and the doors speaker with Pioneers also. Want a little bit more sound out of my audio system but do not want to weigh the car down with a big box and stuff. At first I wanted 2 10's but now I am thinking of just getting an 8 or 10' amplified Bazooka. I don't want just bass so what other type of amp should I add for the mid's and high's. Any advice is appreciated

if so which one, i read some where the they have a wide compressor map so they can perform welll at a broad rpm range. Thanks