96 may be worth more cash in the long term being the first of the run, I went with a late 97 to try and get a better "sorted" car a few thousand into the build of GTS.
Remember this was a new plant at the time as well in 96. New model in a new plant.
Weatherstripping along the door sill is 1 piece in 97, 2 in 96, rear strip was dropped in 97 as they couldn't line up the stripes correctly from the fascia below it. Typical DCX move, just drop the stripes thru the plate, haha.
97 rim is forged not cast, and has more polish than 96. Oil pan gasket issues seem to hit 97 more than 96. As well as rear main seal I believe is more of a 97 problem than 96.
Very similar car obviously, spiltting hairs to omit one over the other unless your a track rat, then 97 rims are the ticket. (running change in early year, some 97's are cast still).
good luck