96-98 and 99-00 hatchback differences

I'm looking at Civic hatchbacks for a transplant to replace my aging GSR, but I'm a bit confused. I deffinetly want a 96+, but I dont understand the differences between the 96-98 and the 99-00 models. Did they just change the front end a bit or is there more to it. I'm looking for details here. Will I always have to get parts that will match the specific year I get. Also was there a Civic Type R in Japan for all these years or was it limited production like it is here in the US (I believe the answer here is no, but I want to make sure).

-Tim

I aint sure man. I know on the 96-00 sedan, they changed the taillights in 99.

But I figure if everything isnt the same, then wouldnt they list shit on ebay like 96-98 and 99-00? I know on my 4th gen there were a couple of intragenerational design tweaks made in 90 on all models, but I am pretty lost on what, if anything they did to the 6th gen hatch.

Nice new pic of the car Melt. BTW do you track my postings or something. Are you stalking me. Dont make me regulate on you. I'm checkin my options, but there is deffinetly something different. Headlights, front bumper lip and grills for hatches all list the years sep.

-Tim

Actually I was just cruising around on other areas of AF cause the 4th gen section gets slow sometimes. I also did some more research, and apparently the differences are all cosmetic, but the ODB did change. 96-98 obd 2.1, 99-00 obd 2.2.

96-98 had different bumpers, tail lights, headlights, grill, hood,...etc than the 99-00. the 99-00 bumpers are more like the SI coupe bumpers.
Also, the interior was a little different, like the climate control area was changed. the 99-00 got a little heavier too.
96' is when they offered the midori green color(teal) and 00' is the only year they offered the taffeta white color.

And the best reason to get a 96-97 is 98+ apparently doesent have a trunk release lever from the inside of the car.

The only differences between the 96-98 and the 99-00 is the fron end. The hood and the front bumper. If you look at the grill one is a little wider... thats it.. thus changing the hood.. front bumper... and grill.

tail lights = same
headlights = 99-00 are more angular (meaner looking)
grill = 99-00 is bigger than 96-98
hood/fenders = different (for obvious reasons above)
bumper = 99-00 front bumper is more agressive and has 3 air dams verses 1 from the 96-98 models.

i wanted a hatchback but they didn't have any around here (until one week after i bought my car. oh, the irony!) i personally would get a 96-98 if i were you. the 99-00 style is a little more agressive as far as the front end goes, but that seems to only work for the coupe models. i like 96-98 looks on hatchbacks. and i would also suggest not worrying about these exterior differences, cuz you should be playing with the engine since it's a hatchback ;D