996 Just on looks alone
Heart or head?
749 will hopefully avoid any rocker issues and maybe be a bit cheaper to insure.
996 nicer to look at (IMHO), a biking Icon, bit better suited to lollaping along on a "tour", a bit more oomph when/if required.
It might be a tough call for you but the key is what floats your boat, not what floats other peoples.
If I'd taken the advice of others I'd never have bought a Ducati 10 years ago.
A test ride made my mind up and de bunked some of the myths surrounding the bike I rode, it suited me so I bought one.
Ray.