Personally, I like '98. Not only because I have one, but for other reasons. I prefer the front lights of the '98 to the '97, as well as the rear bumper design. The black interior with red stitching is much nicer with a matching shift nob from the '00~'02. Championship White is always the Type-R's signature color (other than Euro Accord Type-R), and just looks better (to me) than yellow/black. I also don't really care for the carbon fiber look for the center console '00~'02.