Regardless of how it feels stock for stock, the lower deck and shorter stoke is going to limit the B16A compaired to the B18B in terms of future upgradability. I have a structure of what I consider the minimum useful displacement for each body:
86-89: 1.6l (D16A1)
90-93: 1.7l (B17A1)
94-01: 1.8l (B18B1)

Any less then that, the car is lacking in torque.

$1500 is a lot to pay for any B16A anyway, IMHO.