Ok so everyone has probably done the best shock, shock vs coil over to death but I'm more interested in the best budget OEM replacement.
 
A quick search reveals there are 3 or 4 options for the AW11 (prices are delivered or local):
KYB GR-2 $440
Gabriel Ultra $320
Monroe Sensa-trac $440 (can't find local or anywhere that ships them to Aus, price is estimated)
Tokico HP (blue) $520
 
The Tokico blue are the stand out best of the lot but are not far off the price of Koni Yellow ($755 from twosrus.com at the moment).
 
I've had Monroe sensa-trac on an SW20 in the past and found the ride very comfortable but still responsive enough to have some fun. They complimented the stock suspension set up well for the road but I certainly wouldn't consider them for anything more serious (or a weekender), this would make them perfect for my application but can't find them in Aus.
 
KYB have a very good reputation and you'd consider the Toyota OEM manufacturer would produce just as good of an aftermarket product but that doesn't appear to be the case with their KYB GR-2. The consensus from the majority of reviews indicate they're soft, spongy and don't stand up to hard work (everyone from Echo through to Supra owner, even Honda owners agree!)
 
The Gabriel Ultra (cheapest and nastiest some would say) have nothing but good reviews. No one argues the price is right, but most people who reviewed them found the ride slightly firmer than factory and they handled a beating. The biggest problems came from 4x4 owners (Pedder's off the shelf 4x4 replacements) who had increased the ride by more than a couple of inches or towing heavy loads. The problem is I've not found many reviews from small compact sports car owners that are looking for the same ride I a; Any complaints from this group are not with the product but that they're not Koni's. Has anyone tried the Gabriel and know if they're a reasonable OEM replacement in a car like the AW11? $320 is the 25% off price at Supercheap that ends on the 10/6/13, though I may be able to get them direct from ATAP.

i used to have gabriels on my aw11 sc. even though they are cheap i highly rate them. i had them coupled with some stiffer than stock springs (custom made jobbies) but the car handled exceptionally well.

i tried to buy another set for my aw11 less than two years ago even though they are listed as available i could not get then fronts. gabreil said they were out of stock and would not make any more. i could get rears. so if you do manage to get some please let me know. i tried a few places same answer

You will be able to find the monroe, kyb and gabriels on rockauto I think. Should be the cheapest you'll find online. I paid $30 for each Monroe shock for a Saab I once owned :)

You can also get KYB SP Specials from Japan, they are a blue insert. I got a set of these and certainly was not impressed. They were very soft, and did not last long, from being good when I put them in the 2 fronts blew out in less than 2000kms. Problem is by them time I got then from shipping and got them in there was not much I could do about it.
 
Pedders used to make a shock insert, but I don’t think they do anymore.when I asked 2 years ago the pedders bloke could find nothing on it. they were quite soft but they were like $80 each or something when I last checked.
 
 
last time I priced up the tockio blue from some ebay users you could get a set for about $450 landed, but with the tokico illuminas landed for under $600 made this not really worth it

I heard the KYB SSS's were *okay*, but coming from someone who had KYB OEM's, I can totally agree with how soft and underdampened they feel. They might soak up bumps pretty well but you damn well felt and heard it when you hit a tiny pithole, they simply couldn't handle the rebound at all.
 
Don't forget TRD fronts are still available I believe, the rears are long discontinued. Tokico's definitely seem the go for those that can't justify Koni yellows.

Good news, just spoke to ATAP Melbourne, they've got 10 Gabriel Ultra fronts (G44802) and 7 of the rears (G44943) on the shelf. He said they're also showing stock on the ground in Adelaide. 
They import direct from the states and have access to other stock piles that Gabriel Aus don't.
 
The shocks wholesale price is dirt cheap, $35-38/shock and the mark up is absurd, the current sale price at Supercheap puts them at about $75/shock. The advantage for me using Supercheap in WA means I don't have to cop the shipping fees as its a shelf line product for them.
 
Still a little torn though, $320 for the Gabriel or $520 for the Tokico. I just don't know that I'll get the extra $200 worth out of the Tokico when I'll have a track AW11 for the times I want to have a little fun.
 
Lots of good advice, looks like I wasn't the only one after a comfortable AW11 daily/weekender! Glad I didn't pursue the KYB route.
 
Nick

 

Thats good news.
 
hrmmmmmm, be careful with that, maybe double check it. they list that part number from 84-89. buts its well known that the shocks differed on 84-86 and 87-89. so surely the same one can't do both series
 
http://gabriel.com/our-products/car-light-truck-van/pv-detailed-specs/?partnum=G44802
 
specs are there but I can't remember the size differances in the S1 and S2

I doubt the tokico blue would handle the track any better than the gabriel. I happily took mine on the track with the gabriels in it, the tyres let me down heaps though. but they handled it fine.
 
I know quite a few guys who have put gabriels in their cars and taken them on the track, they have all said that they are quite good for a basic shock.
 
BUT I have never used tokico blue myself, or know anyone who has 

I notice on the yank gabriel site lists different shocks for the different years. Lucky for us, the ones listed on the Ausy site are actually 87-89!
 
US listings:
85-87 AW11 Front G44802 Rear G44803
87-89 AW11 Front G44802 Rear G44943 
 
With all the positive feedback I will be purchasing the Gabriels from Supercheap after pay day (Killed the credit card buying a rebuild kit for the other car). I've got a set of Koni Yellows which will be going into a track AW11 eventually so if I can find the time I will try both and see if there is a noticeable difference for the daily driver. 
 
Cheers,
 
Nick

I've got the tokico blue inserts myself with eibach springs, seems to be a really good combo although I have never taken the car to a track. Its plenty comfortable as a daily but handles really well. Can't quite remember how much I paid for them but it was when the dollar was crap and was still good value.