Thanks to everyone'* advice! In the end, I didn't buy a boot-puller tool and just used my hand. I twisted first to break any tightness, then just gripped the things as low as possible and pulled. The center and driver-side ones on the back were the hardest to get to. It helps to be a contortionist and have a good back. I have large hands, and it was still no real problem to get the cables off.

The plugs also came out no problem using a standard socket wrench and a couple extensions. The driver'* side plug in back was the worst one to get to. I used no extensions on that one. I did have to loop the round end of my largest combination wrench around the end of my socket handle to get enough leverage to undo that one.

I only have a few scrapes on my arm. That nubby-bone that sticks out on the right wrist got skinned a bit. All in all, just enough bloodletting to look manly for the missus. (Thanks for the advice, Bill!)

I used Iridiums, which is exactly what was in my car. (With only a K&N intake and a magnaflow muffler as performance mods, I figure they'll be as good as any other plug.) When my UIM and LIM were done in December 2005, my dealership said they put in new plugs, despite my bill not showing them, so I was a little wary as to whether they'd replaced them or re-used the old ones. When I pointed it out to my shop guy, he said they just forgot to bill me for them and to just enjoy the free plugs. I'm naturally a skeptic and interpreted this as "they probably re-used the old plugs". Now that I've replaced them, I think they probably did replace them all back in 2005, because they looked perfect and the gaps measured exactly the same as the new ones, which all measured a nice tight .060.

I was down to the last plug (back driver'* side) when the sun went down. However, since I had to completely feel my way around that plug anyway, I figured it made no difference if it was dark out or not, and kept working on it until I got it done.

Car ran fine afterwards, I'll have to see if it has any effect on the very light hesitation I was experiencing. If I still have it, I'll consider replacing plug wires and doing a TB cleaning.

Thanks again for everyone'* tips!
-Mark