Pre VTEC VFR's are smoother, have cheaper maintenance and are gear driven. Many feel the 5th generation (98-01) are the best models as they have the pre VTEC but are still Fuel Injected. Me personally I would have happily purchased a 6th generation VTEC model had the right deal came along but looking back I am glad I ended up with the 5th instead. It was cheaper and damn does she sound nice.