You know what you have now so I would stick with it.
I had an 02 and stepped up to the 05 because we needed the bigger back seat for my teenage son. I like the look of the 02 better, prefer the interior of the 05, prefer the 05 engine but the EDGE EZ made the 02 equal.
If you didn't have a truck I would pick the one with the manual trans all else being equal, but you already have and know the 98 and rust isn't an issue where you are.

Sheldon