IMO, OBD-II cars are easier to get through emisions. OBD-I cars have to be put on the rollers and they measure the exhaust while OBD-II cars they just plug in and check the computer. Well that is cool, b/c than I can buy a 96 and have body color matched mirrors and stuff!... Awesomeness. (I am thinking a nice head/cam swap and a nice true dual exhaust would sound very nice). 97's have the LT1 too FYI I know. I also know that 96 is the first year for obd-II on this car, it was also the first year they offerred body colored mirrors and all of that fun stuff. I am just settling, I would love an ls2 camaro, but their owners always want soo much for them (they sell for around 14 grand for a 98- and so forth). The lt1 cars are a lot more reasonable, and for some reason are generally less beat on. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. If you want the LT1, OBD-II, and the body-colored mirrors, you can go either 96 or 97.