Counting to 5 shouldn't be that big of a deal. If you notice that you're having to count longer, then it's time for a new fuel pump. Sounds like it anyway. I'm just following Andy's lead. HE THE MAN! LOL

 

I wait till the "Service" light goes off on the dash of my 97SC2. Works 98 times out of 100.
The original 97 pumps are known for this issue.

Been starting it this way for about 150K miles.

Once you get used to it, it's not annoying -- it's routine.

If it ain't completely broken, no sense tearing into the car, dropping the tank, replacing the float and sending unit because you're in there, maybe changing the hard to get to EVAP components because you can access them.

Now you're into $$ to do some semi-logical replacements along the way vs just counting to five.

I know which one costs less......