I understand that you get what you pay for; but come on....how can you say that "Accord is never supposed to be solid or squeak free"? Thats what the manufacturer is selling these vehicles on----their so-called "solidity" and build quality---how can we buy these vehicles expecting them not to be ridden with rattles and noises? I mean, thats the reason why people choose the "imports" over the General Motors makes...there is supposed to be a more "hushed" driving experience over the road in an import.

Funny you mention your wife's 96 EX coupe; my father has a 97 Special Edition sedan, which is really an LX with added features (the 15" alloys, sunroof, wood dash trim, remote entry, badging), and although he has had this thing since 97, and now has 50k-plus on the odomoter (and has driven this car to Las Vegas from New York when my parents moved out there a year and a half ago), it feels like complete shit, as you say....the car bucks when shifting, the shifts are HARD---I mean to the point the automatic feels like a stick; she vibrates out of control even when idling; the noises from the engine bay are ridiculous; and acceleration? Ha....this thing goes zero to sixty in a week. And funny you mention Mercedes and BMW...my parents' other car is a 97 Benz E320, and it has felt like a vault up until about now, when it has over 70,000 on the clock...they are having alot of problems with the Benz.