Heard enough, guess a person would have to make battery replacement as routine as oil changes, kinda like, oil every 5k , battery every 2 years whether it needs it or not.

Anyone ever look into relocating it to the underhood?

I'll be the lone dissenting voice, so far. I'd go with the 00. I own one, and can not say that it is any more trouble prone than the previous generations that I have either owned or maintained. The battery is not that hard to find, or replace. The serial data bus is reliable, the windows easy to repair, as is the intermediate shaft. Technophobe? Get the '98.

Is it one of those short-height but large-footprint batteries?

If so, valerka, Crappy Tire should have it, in Motomaster 72 form...

Why not keep the 'rora? Heck i'd rather have it then a similar year Bonne.

Ever heard Jim W'* exhaust @ WOT? It was very fun to drive...

I have had my 98 SSEi for 6 years now and only had to do routine maintenance to it. It is all how you drive it. I don't race, so there is no strain on it. That'* what happens when you get old.
Get the one you like, because they all have their own issues.
I would buy a race car if I wanted to race. So many people spend so much money fixing what they broke because they want to race a bonnie. I say it shouldn't be done IMO.

Great; Thanks anyone one for the replays. I had never actualy driven neither a 96+ Boonne or 00+ so today I will check out both the cars and see which one I like.

Think about the seats.. Check each out closely and think about which one you'd rather spend time in.

I think it'll be obvious...but don't want to sway your opinion.

I have no experience with "build quality" or reliability issues with my 2000, i have had my car for 2 and a half years, and 60k miles, and have had nothing but tremendous reliability from the car.

I agree that in this case, you should drive both and buy whichever one you like best. BUT: If the cars were in equally good condition, all other factors such as price and mileage as you've stated, I would personally buy the 98 every day of the week.

Well...they've flooded you with decisions...if you were a woman, I'd say go with your gut instinct. Lol...

I have an '00 and absolutely love the look/handle of the car. However, I do enjoy the seats on the 98 for long 3000 mile trips. Everyday driving however, I can deal with it. All cars have their issues - yes the 00'* have the window reg and so forth.

Take a close look at the cars - inspect them for damage, wear/tear, signs of leaking oil/coolant, etc... does one have a better track record for maintenance than the other? Can you get a carfax for them to see if there were any accidents?

It boils down to "what is important to you." You'll be able to figure it out from there. If that don't work, then do "eenie, meenie, miney, mo"