One thing is for sure, the 396 was poorly designed, skinny main bearings, I knew 2 people that bought them new and they didn't get over 15 thousand miles on them, and I have read that the factory replaced thousands of them, I like the nova, but if I had to pick one for longevity it would not be the 396 , 327 would be my pick with a 4 speed. Agree, the Nova was a great unibody, light, small front nose and transferred weight quit well. I had a 72 with the not so great 307, traded up to a 73 a/c 318 Challenger my wife and I drove 7 years.