Hey Manxgt4, I know sheldon a little bit but an essex boy originally!
back to topic, I think its so hard to define best... the 205 is the fastest and best braking, but so it should be, it had years of development to get to that point, but the 165 as gaz points out was the fresh of the slate design, and without it, the 185 and 205 would never of left drawing board. However, I think the actual design of the 185 is more timeless than the 205, which I think looks a bit modern "old" now, where as the 185 has that "cool sports coupe" look, much as say a corrado, or Porsche 944 or 968 does. The 165 is Very retro to people in the know, in the same way a starion, or std looking R32 does, but can also be seen as just another Old car by the uniformed.
The issue of Autocar that came out last Wednesday, ran a back page piece on the 162, explaining how there French Panhard influenced the glass house design, and how it was such a revelation to drive at the time, tight and fun, at a time when lots of Japanese cars where plain soggy but loaded to the gunnel's with kit to make up for it.
By far I would say that a 165 has the most character, for one its the most unrefined to drive, and at times far more challenging than a later 4, you either love or hate the plastic velour interiors, and its so rare, if you own one, you feel a duty to try to keep it going whatever, and out on the road you become protective about it, knowing that you are driving an Icon, which once discovered, will be fully appreciated for its contribution to Rallying, the development and acceptance of road going rally cars from Japan, and for making sure most petrol companies hit record profit levels!!!!