I just need to replace the front struts on a 7th gen 2001 EX Sedan (leaking). Car is totally stock. Would I be better buying something like a tokico brand strut and taking it to a shop that installs 3rd party parts? How would it affect the car's performance if I had OEM in the back and tokico in the front. Also what is the best place to buy online?

The local Stealership quoted $969.94 for parts and labor to replace both front struts and an alignment.