Mini Cooper Forums - Mini Cooper Enthusiast Forums - New to MCF and Minis/Thinking of buying-your thoughts

I am looking at buying an older Mini. I have a lengthy commute that I have done via motorcycle for the last 5 years but was recently hit by an uninsured yahoo and have no desire to tempt fate twice. I am truly lucky to be alive. With that said I am not looking to use my SUV to do my commute either, although a car will never touch the 70mpg I got on my motorcycle I was hoping to at least hit mid 30s via a Mini.
Of all the tiny cars the Mini is one of the few that looks fun to drive. I have whittled my choice down to this or a TDI Beetle with a Civic as a third option if the first two choices prove to be headaches. Due to selling a motorcycle to fund a car I am looking at likely an 02 Mini for around 5-7K.
As owners, would you buy this car again or steer clear? Is it something I can realistically slap tons of miles on as a commuter vehicle. I work in the environmental field and many coworkers drive Civics, Corollas, Hybrids etc. I was hoping for something a bit different but not if different means a maintenance nightmare.

What are overall feelings on these cars?
Are they reliable?
Can the average Joe work on them/are parts ridiculously expensive?
Buy a Mini or ________ ?

Thanks
Jim