Focusing on the year is a BIG mistake. The three criteria that you should pay most attention to when buying a 123 are: condition, Condition and CONDITION!

That said there is one year related thing that I would stay away from and that is an early car with the servo based automatic climate control. You would be better served with an early car with manual climate control, or if you must have climate control get an 81 and later with climate control.

Personally my FAVORITE 123 is one with MANUAL EVERYTHING. The best service I had was from 123's with manual windows, manual climate control, manual sunroof, etc. The gadgetry is what will keep you buisy. This is the automotive application of the old Engineering KISS principle. KISS means "Keep It Simple, Stupid."

My $0.02,