Welcome to the CEG!
I've got an 98 SVT. It really hasn't cost me much at all. I've put some money into the prevenative maintance stuff, replaced the WP with a metal impeller, belt/tensioner, did an upper and lower intake manifold cleaning (replaced some parts and gaskets while in there). Other than the preventative stuff, I haven't had any problems. **knocks wood**
As Ray said, change out the water pump. Not a hard job at all, so you should be able to DIY.
Look around in the "Main Site" as there are many how-to's posted (changing the WP in one of them). Just about anything you could think to do to your 'tour has been discussed, so a simple "search" will net you lots of results.
Let us know if you get the SVT.
