"I have to believe that with all these cars still out there someone has had the same problem and figured out how to cure it"

You know that the solution to the numerous issues that cause that specific syptom always get fixed. The more intermittant the harder. If you are to the parts throwing stage that OVP would be the cheapest first choice. I wouldn't worry about coils as that car has three of them and one won't stop you only make it run bad. I'd throw some fuel pumps next.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician