Thanks for all of the advice you guys. I completely forgot to keep checking this thread... but just as an update I ended up getting a great deal on a 2003 V8 Limited w73k miles in mid-March.
I'm extremely happy driving it every day and the build quality and driving performance is far superior...
I've been a loyal Ford owner for my entire driving history, but the thing that makes me nervous every time is how well the transmission is going to hold up when towing which I do on a pretty regular basis. My Fords have always been great to me but I know that puts me in the minority of owners...
