Bought a gen 6 1.8 a few years back as a cheapie when my car failed its mot, idea was run it til failed its mot bin it and get something else - six years later it finally failed an mot despite being totally abused, filled with all sorts of stuff, it'd get oil if the light came on and that was about it. Had some tyres and brake pads and a secondhand caliper in that time but nothing else. Even when it sold with no mot it went to someone who was going to put the bits right and use it.
For its reliability, usefullness and being great to drive the next car was a no brainer, but this time the vert which wants for nothing and the gen 5, love the flip up lights and the look of it so thats my winter ride and great fun in the snow