1989 - First year production, cleanest styling (shared with '90 and '91). It's the original design intent of the stylists. All too often, there seems to be pressure to come up with something "fresh" in the styling department after a couple of years. I think this usually ends up being an exercise in "what can we change even though it dosen't need to be changed". Personally, I don't see why they changed the tail lights in '92; I don't feel they go with the lines of the car at all. The front end changes in the later years look like a forced styling exercise to me.
But, that's only my opinion. The majority seem to stongly prefer the later model styling, and hate the earlier cars. Personally, I don't "dislike" any of them. If I run across a nice one of ANY year, it's going home with me. Also, the '95 5-speed gets the nod for rarity.
JD