SSTJ,
If I’m not mistaken, we both have the 2.5l. I’ve replaced my exhaust manifold several times now. It’s a little intimidating to get started, but once you do it, it’s easy peasy. No need to remove a fender. Just get in there and do if. I like to put painters tape on all the electrical connections and label each one so that I know where to connect it back. It’s not that bad. A mechanic friend even showed me how a wiring harness will have “muscle memory” in the sense that if you shake it out into place, it will lay down as it used to be, like it remembers it’s position.
Oh yeah, when you pull the fuel rail, be sure to keep up with all the o-rings. Some people say to change them. I never have. Just a little lube to slide them back in.