I remember hating these things. Since going out in my mates old Z4M I've wanted one! Whats the running costs like? Insurance on a 3.0i is surprisingly cheap for me!
I was talking to your mate the other day actually, checked it was him by asking him if he knew you! (Got the 'vette now right?)
Running costs are probably the best thing about it TBH, I was saying yesterday I'm fairly sure it's no more expensive to run than my 172 other than tyres.
MPG: Average of 31 or so. 40 on motorway run.
Servicing: Cheap as piss if you do it yourself, still cheap with indy's. (Including spark plugs I managed to bring parts in at under £80)
Brakes: Mentally cheap. I fitted a whole brand new OEM spec setup for someone this weekend, and including uprated pads it cost him £220 for back and front.
Breakages: Due to age, there's a lot of second hand parts available, but the little bits and bobs really aren't pricey, i.e brake pad wear sensors £15 (two on the car), rocker cover gasket (known to let by after 100k) £28.
They're even great to modify, as the owners club is great and parts really aren't overpriced by people worried about squeezing every last penny out of their second hand items, finally, as you said, insurance is wicked £720 FC for me this year, with three years NCD.
For me, bang for buck, it's bloody awesome. Such a fun drivers car, and you can't go wrong with the top down.