I test-drove a VX the other day that had 135+ K miles on it - with a set of OEM shocks. --- I don't know if they were the originals or not - or even if they were still as firm as they're supposed to be - but that thing handled so much better than mine, it made me sick (and started me thinking about replacements in a BIG WAY!)

But, like so many others before me, I simply can't justify the cost to pony-up for a set of OEMs right now - so I'm looking for "reasonable" alternatives... something that will at least do the job well enough, without hearing "You spent HOW MUCH???" from Miss Kathy