I can't recall my Insurance cost, but it's between 3 and 400 fully comp for both me and my wife, (that's with the turbo conversion etc etc) full NCB and I'm 40.... (checks the date... yes.. I'm still 40 for a little while yet

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I've had mine for 3 and a half years and never had a problem, fairly economical when driven sensibly, but does get a little thirtsy if I put my foot down to hear the "phhhhht" sound lol.
Check the pre-cats (as you know) by taking out the o2 sensors.
Check the softop for the "ears" problem.. it's a very simple fix tbh, also check for wear or repairs to the softop, look inside, you will see the beam that runs across the roof at the rear, these can wear out the roof at both ends, if all is good a simple modification can pevent it happening in the future.
Check the storage bins for water ingresion, it could have blocked drains... again a simple fix.
All in all a good reliable car, but you really do need to need to check the oil on a very regular basis... I would say at least twice a week.. oil consumption is a sign of pre-cat failure/oval bore syndrome.