early 1999 WITHOUT ABS - if you get ABS, you get a d35 rear axle for sure.
Good:
HP D30 in the front
older head casting that is more reliable
OBD II
does not have the new, expensive to replace pre-cat system
does not have the heat soak issue (due to the lack of the pre-cat system)
plastic gas tank will never rust out
metal rear hatch is good for grounding antennas to, weldable, etc
Bad:
new body style (this is entirely subjective however)
OBD II (listed in both categories because some people don't like it)
newer design on the rear driveshaft output of the transfer case introduced after 95 makes a SYE more likely to be required
new location of fuel pressure regulator and filter requires dropping the tank to replace
That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. If you don't like the 97+ body style, either get a 95 (best HO-equipped pre-97 year) or get a 97+ and put a pre-97 front clip on it. Nothing can be done about the tailgate and the tail lights though.
This has been covered in depth in a few other threads already, search the forums and you'll find em, what I said is about all I can think of off the top of my head.
EDIT: billy also has a good point below, though the airbag in a 95/96 is (as far as I have seen) a self contained module in the steering wheel center which could be disabled and removed by a suitably experienced person. If you like OBD I or are going to lift it I would aim for 95 or before.