If an owner has had all the recalls and updates done it really doesn't matter what year you get. However, yes, 1982 and 1983 models had a lot of the fixes done straight from the factory. The 82's and 83's are a lot more rare. There were about 6500 81's made and about 1500 82's and 1000 83's.These aren't exact figures, no one has an exact figure, because some of the records were destroyed at one of DMC's offices in IRA riots in Ireland back in the early 80's. Some people actually want early 81 models because of the gas flap hood. Late 81's, 82's, and 83's don't have gas flap hood, so you have to open the trunk to fill up.