With the '97, you will also have more options with exhaust mods and stay legal in Cali. I have a 2000 and all I can say other than I'm still happy with it, is, if I knew then what I know now. I found a '99 already lifted with RE 3.5, exhaust mods, hp30, and plenty more including being legal here in cal. My mom now owns it and she enjoys unpaved options in her commute.