Well, I got a complete flush done on the '96. The trans tech told me that nothing looked out of the ordinary on the pan. He said the color of the old fluid wasn't bad, but apparently it smelled burnt. He asked me if I drove it really hard...

As for differences, I've noticed that if I apply light throttle in lockup in doesn't shudder a little bit like it used to. Shifts @ WOT are smooth as butter, but I think my 1-2 shift at medium throttle is still a bit hard. It seems like if I let up off the gas right before it shifts into second the shift isn't the smoothest. Shift 2-3 is barely noticeable. Hopefully I've got nothing to worry about for a loooong time...

*crosses fingers*

put a cooler on her and the fluid won't burn unless it comes with a stocker.

the 96 comes with a stock cooler

Did they change the filter too?