Well Dan just to add my bit.

When i wanted a scoob for me it had to be a wagon as well, I didn`t even look for a saloon! I couldn`t put my old black lab in the boot of a saloon!
I wanted a clean un-modified import. Mine was imported in 2005 and bought by me in early 2006. There is absolutly no rot what so ever under my car due to its little time spent on our salt riddled winter roads. I would also try to find as lower milage car as possible. Mine was imported at 70.000 kilometers then bought by me at 79. The first couple of years i owned ol`yella it was wragged consistently on trackdays with most of 2006 it didn`t spend more than two weeks off track and was double driven with harry. Now touching wood! Mine has never failed mechanicaly engine/box or otherwise (although it is running like a sack of shit at the mo!) Yes ive had burst hoses etc. these i except have been down to the fact that in recent years it has been parked up far too much. But then again look at marham last year. It spent two days being chucked around that autotest track by half of bigpower. The tyres were knackered, But i drove it home i one piece with a bloody great grin!
Yes people have spent bucket loads more on there cars, But ive had shit loads of fun in mine and it hasn`t put me out of pocket.
I expect some will tell me its all wrong? But for me the main thing has always been keep the oil clean. Ive only ever used 10-40semi. It cost just