<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">1997 better than 1996? Not that I'm unbiased, but I don't get it....
Cast exhaust manifolds, the same both years.
Wheels, cast on 1996 cast and early 1997, forged on later 1997.
Alarm disable switch, none on either year.
Passenger airbag cutoff, not on either year.
Power mirrors, not on either year.
Alarm TSB update, both 1996 & 1997 needed it.
Some 1997's had:
Defective intake manifold gaskets
Porous oil pan.
Some early production 1996's needed:
Updated throttle cable bracket
Dimmer switch replacement
Center stop light wiring correction
Seat belt rub strip
PCM software update
Rear O2 sensor replacement
Airbag module replacement
In addition to being the first year of the GTS, 1996 was the only year to have the full rear stripes.
One would imagine (easily verified via any Dodge dealer's computer) that most or all of the TSB's were performed by now, making the variance even less.
Stay away from 1996's? I don't get it. Warranty, overall condition, maintance records, etc. should be much more important factors in your decision.
I in fact only wanted a 1996 and was lucky enough to find mine new in a Dodge dealer's showroom in Sept. of 2000.
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