Aesthetically, I much prefer the older series, but they are more prone to rust, so if I were in your situation (and I wish I was) I'd get the '83 up on a lift to check the strut towers, etc. at both ends from the bottom up with a powerful flashlight to see if it really is immaculate under the skin. If it is, that's the one I'd take, but I'd do some rustproofing if I intended to drive it for a while.