Everyone has their opinions. These are mine
I prefer the 1998 - 2000 for the automatic climate control (set it and forget it) and the extra switch on the shifter for performance mode.
However a clean body trumps everything because the powertrain will far outlast the body. Check the subframe under floorpan for rust as well as the floorpan itself. If both of those look good the fuel and brake lines are usually in good shape as well. Check the tops of all four strut towers where the struts bolt to the body, inside and outside.
Outside of that anything 1998-2002 is good. 1997 was the first year and the 2003 was supposed to be the new body style but wasn't.
