I definitely want Crabon on the track. I'm sure you've got a great argument as to why it's not essential, but I don't think I'd race anything other than carbon after my DF3. Maybe I should do all carbon bikes?
By the time you've saved up for an L96, it will probably be called an R96 as they usually release new versions on the Olympic schedule. That should mean bargains on old L96s :-)
If you can live without the crabon on the track, the AL464P is lovely.