are the 97 engines vvti for the 5-speed?

 

No, VVTi started for the 1998 model year.

 

97+ 5spd's are obviously hard to find, and I've always envied those who have one. But in my searches for a regular 5spd (which are also hard to come across where I'm from), I've noticed that there are a lot of 5spd SC's in the eastern states, especially a lot in Florida. Not as many in Cali, and practically none here in B.C. Is there a reason for there being so many in Florida particularly?