Sort of like the early VW.....
They are all same with slight improvements along the way. Personal preference for some items (aesthetic issues like seats and dash) versus substantial improvements like ffuel injection, and electrical wiring. Perhaps your question is which looks best or which drives best. Looks are in the eye of the beholder whereas performance is more objective. The latter cars drive the best. Looks are personal choice.
The primary changes are:
BUMPERS
Carb vs Fuel Injection
Gears
Early bumpers versus ladder bars versus the late mono bar with trim
Either early or late wins for me.
Carb versus Fuel injection is easy, Fuel injection all day long
Four or five gears is just as easy, five gears is better
The rest of the car is the same. Just nuances. Slightly different struts, different dash, but same gauges, engine lid styling, seat materials, electric windows, air conditioning, all small items. The chassis is the same. The suspension pick up points are the same. The sheet metal is the same.
In the end a nice car is better than a beater.
Just my opinion,
Bob