First off welcome to HQ, great place when looking for help. Banshees are all about the same. The first year was a J arm, and after that they were a arms. I think they are all the same from 89 to now, so any of them would be great. There may have been an electrical change in 96 but im not sure. Any year shee you get you will like. They dont stay stock for long, so any year you can get a deal on go for it. Either the 96 or 98 you looked at would be good if they are in decent shape. Good luck and enjoy your shee when you get one!!!