I've had the gripshifts from about '94. Very robust and love the way you can trim the front. I just tried some XTR rapidfires on this build but couldnt get with 'em. I'm certainly in the gripshift camp.
Like Simonside's rockhopper too. Looks purposeful...and FAST
Here's my 1996 M2 Stumpjumper, I bought it a couple of years ago off eBay here in Oz. The guy I bought it from still had the original receipt and owners manuals, looks like it was imported from Hawaii to Australia at some point and still has a Honolulu bike permit on the frame. Hadn't been used much as the original tyres were still fitted - now ridden daily!