I have acquired a 1998 4.6 HSE with 133k miles, it was always garaged and maintained at the dealer by my late step father who passed in February earlier this year. I have partially inherited it with a few quirks. Original paint and interior. The car seems to run strong still and gets up to 100 pretty easy but something in my head tells me to just drive this car like a old man to preserve the engine life tho it's hard to resist. I been driving it while my RX7 is down for engine swap. Hauling stuff back and forth 180 miles, this thing is not easy on the gas but nice to drive on long trips.

 

Welcome. Full shop and owner manual set is called the RAVE, free download links below. See our tech area for a list of high miles service items to DIY. Consider an Ultra Gauge ($70) so you can see water temp in digital form, it may be higher than you would be comfortable with. Guages are not very accurate, some owners drive around almost overheating without knowing it. I run a 180F stat in my D1 and keep temps 180-183 on back roads, maybe 187 on interstate, after flush and rod out of radiator. Shell Rotella oil is good because of the cleaning ingredients, 5000 mile drain interval or less. Oversize oil filter adds some capacity (also write up in our tech area). Lots of things to grease or service below - front swivels (CV joints), drive shafts, differentials, transfer case, easy to get dirty.

BTW, it is not built for handling roads like the RX-7; high ceter of gravity, aerodynamics of a brick, etc. The real fun comes at lower speeds off the pavement. 12-17 mpg typical.

Lots of fun to drive, very capable, demanding of maintenance, un-forgiving of overheating.

 

Thanks Savannah Buzz,
Sorry to say we probably do not plan on keeping this car a long time.
Was looking at brand new ford F250 FX4 packages, the trade in value the dealer might give me is $3500-$4500, I say this one falls right between there.
Maybe someone is interested in buying this from me. Garaged 95% of it's life and has always been dealer maintained by my late step father till February. Has coil springs.

 

It passed smog easy, especially with the broken pipe to the muffler , I did not notice that till now, still quiet.