ive had 2 so far the first as a cheap runabout for winter when my 172 was having a few bits done, 155,000 miles, 2001 51 plate, no service history, hammered all winter from cold, handbrake turns in the snow and ended up in a ditch, sorted it, pilled another load of miles on it, and it was bullet proof, gearbox gave up in the end but gearbox oil had never been changed lol used to do 80mpg on the motorway at 60mph behind trucks lol never saw it drop under 55mpg even hammering it around town.
2nd one i paid a bit more for as a work tool as i have a 60mile trip each day to work. 2004 plate DCi 100, same 1.5 turbo diesel engine as the last one just with a few differences (turbo, intercooler, diesel pump, injectors etc) does 60mpg every day on teh way to work and thats driving quite quick, 150lb/ft of torque when needed too!
add that onto £300 a year to insure it, £35 a year to tax it, 18,000 miles service intervals (although they like regular oil and filter changes so i do mine every 6-7k if i have time)
get yourself registered on
www.cliodci.net if you have any questions, were building up a community dedicated to these cars and looking to try and get a large member base