I bought this car for $2K in 2010. Limited production only 4400 made in 1998 and only 11,000 made total 1998-2000. I thought I stole this car.
First sign of trouble was only under a load next to a wall, I could hear ticking like an exhaust manifold leak. After 2 years of driving it the ticking became louder and started to tick while not under a load while idling. I pinpointed where the noise was coming from, it was coming from cylinder 4, front bank, cylinder closest to the timing chain. I took off both exhaust manifolds, no cracks, no stripped threads or broken bolts. 6 months later it started to leak coolant from between the front cylinder head and block. The head gasket. I said "Are you fucking kidding me." I buy 2 cars and they both have fucked up head gaskets. Wow. I literally ripped the heads off and sure enough there was a trail on the MLS head gasket. The rear bank was perfectly sealed.