For what it's worth, my '01 ST has 192k on it now. I picked it up cheap as a non-runner (fuel pump) and as a project. It had many, many issues, which I sorted out only to experience the timing chain rattle at startup a few months later. I use the truck daily for doing errands (it's not my only vehicle). What I do to prevent the rattle at start up is to hold the accelerator to the floor (which turns off the fuel injectors) and crank the engine until I see oil pressure, then I allow it to start. Doing this allows me to start the engine w/out the rattle and w/out the stupid SOHC starting flare (high RPM at start). I'm hoping doing this will limit future timing chain wear and prevent the engine from jumping time during startup. I'm not about to sink up to $2K into this thing replacing the engine and then another $2K if the transmission lets go in the near future. I plan to just drive it until it blows up.
It's too bad. I really like the utility of the ST, but they should have put the V8 in it. I've considered doing a V8 swap, but that's too much work for me at this point in my life. I've been using the ST for about 1.5 years/8,000 miles now and it hasn't gotten any worse. Who knows how many more miles I'll get out of it? Maybe it'll run long enough for me to re-coupe the money I've put into it (mostly for a new windshield and a set of tires). The time I spent working on it was free and the other parts I've replaced were normal wear items and repairs using inexpensive used parts wherever possible. Would I trust it as my only vehicle, or to take a long trip with? Hell no!
