throttle body..

Yes it does. Replacing it will not give you any noticable gains on a stock engine. However, you seem to have run out of ideas what next to do. If you have some money, I have a few suggestions. You could upgrade your suspension (Wheels/Tires, Springs, Shocks/Struts/, Subframe connectors...), you could do some engine work (Port and Polished Heads-Intakes, Cam, RR's...), or you could supercharge your car

Actually the stock TB on a 94-98 3.8L is pretty restrictive, and upgrading it will get you a couple more horses, particularly at the top end.

I sure as hell wouldn't spend $300 on an aftermarket one. Just not worth it. I'd get headers or something else before that.

However, you can polish and half-shaft it yourself. It's not hard, and it's kind of a fun little mod to do on your own, and it's basically free so long as you already own a couple tools. Do a search for threads posted by me, because I posted a couple half-shafting how-tos a while ago. If you can't find them, let me know, and I can send you some pics and stuff.

A polished and half-shafted stocker won't breathe as well as a $300 aftermarket one, but it'll breathe well enough to feed the stock intakes and cam. Spending $300 on an aftermarket TB is overkill for a stock application .. just a waste of money.

If your a poor college student, then it is probably too much for you. First, if you do not have at least 16's it would be wise to upgrade your wheels. A set of 17's with tires will cost you more than a grand. After that, lowering springs, shocks/struts cost about $500. However, it also costs to install them if you cannot do it yourself.
As far as performance, I think it's worth it. If you get the right stuff, your car will handle much better, plus it will look better too.

I tried to do a search on how to redo the stock throttle body, but i keep getting search is disabled!!!. WTF???

i deshafted my TB, it is the same as halfshafting but you actually cut both side of the shaft that is holding the flap on and when the flap is screwed to the shaft, it is the only thing that holds the shaft together. that mean more flow also. i don't think headers will do jack. the stock ones look to be good enough as they lay.