Leica M4-P
Assuming that you're not someone who needs to be talked into the quality and benefits of a Leica, the next question is which model is the best fit for you. Are you going to go with the old standby of the M3 or the more consumer-oriented version, the M2? Do you want the metering that comes with an M6 or M7? Are you willing to think a little outside the box with an M5? In between all of these models is the occasionally overlooked Leica M4 and its variants the M4-2 and M4-P. Why is it overlooked? It'd be easier to answer which actor was the best James Bond; of course you're correct, but everyone else is confused.
The M4 production started in late 1966 and proceeded apace until 1971 when Leica introduced the M5 (the M5 is another discussion entirely). The M4 ushered in a few permanent changes to Leica's rangefinder design. An angled rewind knob replaced the "lift and turn" knurled winder of the M2 and M3. A new captive film winding system eliminated the need to trim the film leader before loading. A newly designed winding lever also debuted with the M4.
After the cool sales of the M5, Leica reintroduced the M4 and began to work on its successor. Along the way to the arrival of the M6 in 1984, Leica rolled out a few M4 changes. The 1977 M4-2 got a hot shoe, but lost its self-timer. The M4-P of 1981 got new framelines for 28mm and 75mm lenses. The M4-P became the base for the M6 and the M4 was discontinued in 1986.
So after all of that, which is the right Leica for you? Are you the original Sean Connery of the 1960? The campy Roger Moore from the 1970s? Or perhaps the updated cool of Timothy Dalton? Only you can answer that and only you will be correct.
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