the pre 98, rod shifter is much better then the cabe shift. having driven with both I can see were you feel the earlier one has a shorter throw. I think a small part of that is perception. with the taller center console in the older car the shift seems shorter and maybe quicker to move then the completely exposed one.
it is pretty definate the cable was used to cut down on vibrations, but if you have shity tires you get vibration, get some good tires and there is little to none, just normal road feel
also pre98 have the hood liner and the post 98 don't, not sure how much noise difference that makes, but I know the post 98 doors feel like nothing openning and closing because of the removed sound dedening material that was removed in later years
