3.5 or 4th? You can get the 3.5 pdfs online now for free. 4th is a bit more um RPG oriented though, but less adventure oriented. That said, 3.5 also has limited spells per day mechanics... I still prefer 3.5 though since most people that play 4 are WOW gamers that want WOW mechanics and not a real pen and paper game.
Yeah, 3.5 lends itself more to a narrative anyways; 4 you're too busy picking what spell to use, in 3.5 you can describe what you do more... you know, roleplaying they call it.