What are your goals for the car? Answer that and the rest of the issues become simpler if you can be honest with yourself.

If you can get a reasonably short/stiff sidwall and tire/wheel size remember that every pound of unsprung weight equals about 10 lbs of curb weight. Thus a shorter sidwall (19's or 20's don't necessarily help handling or performance).

The CDI has its own issues. Certainly a very tempting choice! Especailly with Kleeman or silimilar upgrades. Again, up to your preferences.

I will say "careful" with the 1997 model year....older tech engine management and newer (at the time) tech transmission management don't always get on the same page which puts the durability of the motor vs the durability of the transmission. Ususally the engine wins first. Shift manually or buy a later/earlier model year. THere are too many excellent opions either way.

Hate mail too....Botor