Well, changed everything (lower control arms, ball joints, center link), got an alignment at the shop, and boy am I happy, straight as an arrow, corners well... Did not even need the camber kit.
No idea how the car is supposed to handle when it is new, since I've had it for only two years, all I can tell is that is is better than it ever was since I've had it.
But of course the cracking noise is still there, so although all of this was needed and it wasn't a waste of time, I am kind of back to square one