A strut (aka MacPherson strut, named after the Ford engineer who created them) is actually *part* of the front suspension, it it not merely a device to dampen movement of the suspension. A shock, on the other hand, is an add-on to the suspension, not structurally critical.
Make sense?
The best quality shocks & struts (in my opinion) are made by Bilstein. If all you ever do is cruise around, though, and you have a mostly stock suspension, then stock spec shocks & struts will work fine for you. If your car is lowered, I'd recommend aftermarket shocks & struts, perhaps Tokico Premiums -- the stock shocks & struts are not meant to handle the higher rate springs you install when you lower the car.
Dave
