The boxes won't break with normal and spirited driving on stock power levels. Bolt on a hairdryer and you may have issues. BA series ran from 94-98, the first series as denoted by the p1 in the vin number had stronger boxes, later models had nicer trim, that's basically the only major differences. The bj series from 98-03 range in price widely,as you've probably noticed. I wouldn't pay more than $2500 for a clean ba though, bought my current one for under $500.
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