So, if you've already determined that "most" repro parts are substandard then how do you plan on finishing the Cuda? Are you going to hand-fabricate the entire car or did you find a stash of perfect NOS parts? I realize it is much harder for you to try before you buy due to your location. My experience has been much different. I have only seriously regretted two purchases - one because I was cheap and one because there were no alternatives (until I learn to create sheet metal with my bare hands). I talk to manufacturers, vendors, restorers, "experts", and show judges to get their opinions and recommendations. I buy parts at shows where I can physically see and compare the parts and can return them if I need to. I know you can't do that. Heck most people living on the US coasts don't have that ability either. My experiences and opinions will be much different than other people's. I do agree with you on some of the vendors you've had problems with as I've met them in person and it changed my mind on buying their parts.
However, as I pointed out earlier, feedback and reviews by others is a great way to learn what fits and what doesn't without actually holding the part in your hand. Message boards and clubs are perfect for this. The vendors DO read this stuff. From a manufacturers perspective, if you buy the part and don't use it then they still sold a part. There's no incentive for them to make it better. We have to continually push them to raise the bar and I think the prices of these cars have finally helped accelerate that process. Many of the recent part releases are much, much better than even a couple of years ago. I'm sorry that you've had so many bad experiences and it sucks that there's still only a fraction of the parts available for these cars. It pays to reward the quality manufacturers and shun the bad ones. That was my initial point - they aren't all bad. I wouldn't say "most" but you would so it boils down to the English language and perspective.
Troy