I have both a VEPR II in 7.62x39 and an M96 (with all three setups; rifle, recon carbine, top feed).
VEPR II
I have a number of other AKs but the VEPR II is the most solid feeling of them all. Personally I like the weird furniture, and I definitely like the fact that it works for someone who is larger than the average 5'6" soldier that the AK ergonomics were design for.
It has traditional AK reliability in a somewhat different package.
M96
A very neat toy. I say toy, because although it is a very accurate, reliable, and interesting design, the cost is very high and unless you can afford it as a "gadget" it's a stretch. I really like mine, the recon carbine is a handy, if somewhat heavy package, the top feed is very cool and gets you all the 'gee whiz' looks at the range, plus is capabale of accurate, rapid fire (and entire 30 round magazine in under 5 seconds into a 10" group at 100 yards). The rilfe is useful as well, though all of the configurations are very accurate.