Common exhaust leak?

I have a 2001 Neon and noticed the other day that I have a small
exhaust leak just below the tail pipe. I figured it is not much of a
big deal. Now I noticed that two of my co-workers with a 2001 and a
2002 have the very same leak starting in the same spoke.
Neither one, as well as myself, noticed the leak as it is not making
any noise.
My question is, is this a common thing?
Also, now that I know that I will be in the market for a new muffler,
any suggestions on a good muffler that is not a noisy tin can like
most of the Civics in my area?

Mike
mlawrenc(at)rcc.on.ca