Me, I would get a 1999-2000, since all the recall items are fixed, and the back seat room is a bit bigger. Also, there are still af few with under 36K miles for sale.(I have a 2K).
The decontenting doesn't bother me, the door panels are easier to clean. To get it like an SVT/old SE, it's easy to mod the suspension to "sporty".
The "original flavor" 95's that are popular are 7, going on 8 years old, and are hard to find in "mint" shape. If you find one like that, then go for it, but make sure all the recalls were done.
I would go with a 99, identical to 2000 w/ skirts. Good luck! 