I had a 96 SE Sport with 20K miles in that purpley-burgundy color. I bought it as a "dealer buyback" (translation: lemon-law car.) I didn't get the check engine light, but I did get exhaust that smelled gas rich, and an occasional backfire. After five visits to the dealer, an 02 sensor, cat/header replacement, a PCM replacement, and finally, after throwing a coniption-fit to the regional service-center manager, ford came back with an 3K allowance on a new car. (Ford had me back with that until the dealer, from which the car was originally purchased from, said "We can't give you full-trade in on this. It has mechanical problems!") Anyway, at the same time they discovered a TSB talking about a revised MAF sensor. They replaced it and the car was fine. (I got rid of it anyway.) I would dig around and find out if this applies to your car.
-Khufu01