18-200 VR Build Quality ????

I saw this post today at Nikonians.

http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID6/16650.html

Is this type of plastic construction typical for modern day lenses or is this unique to the 18-200. I wonder if my 12-24 DX or 18-70 DX is built like this with plastic tabs holding the thing together.

I was debating buying the 18-200 VR but I am having second thoughts now. I would expect more for a $700 lens but maybe this is typical.