I'm just the same as you - wanted a cossie for ten years before getting one at 33. I've had mine for 10 months now and its been great. When I picked mine up and drove it home it was fantastic.
I actually bought the first one I looked at but it is a nice car, only 2 previous owners and loads of receipts. Always get it properly set up as for the cost of a set-up (about £150) you will get peace of mind and the car will drive a lot better once set up properly. Once i'd got the car home I didn't drive it again for a couple of weeks so I could change all of the oils and fluids. Definately worth doing in my opinion.
Whereabouts are you? If you want someone to come and have a look with you i'm sure someone of here would oblige.
When I started looking I typed out a checklist - its by no means definitive but should give you a few ideas what to look for. Good luck.
CHECKLIST
Bodywork
• Rear arches
• Front arches
• Boot floor, especially above exhaust side. Also pull up to check inner rear panels
• Suspension tops
• Battery tray
• Any welding on underside? Chassis rails, sills etc.
• Consistant panel gaps
• Colour match. Any paint work been done?
• Around sunroof. Can bubble up around it.
Interior
• Heater working
• Cracked dash
• Headlining sagging
• Staining around sunroof (seals failing)
Engine
• White sludge on filler cap (head gasket)
• Header tank oily film on top of coolant (head gasket)
• White smoke – turbo shot. If so remove hose from turbo inlet to airbox and feel for play in turbo impellor. A little play is okay
• Blue smoke on boost means tired turbo oil seals
• Constant blue smoke means engine rebuild
• Slight misfire under acceleration is common
• Cambelt change? Should be every 48k miles
• Rev engine when stationary and look for twist in engine (mounts or driveshafts)
• Run up to temp and check fans cut in
Identity
• Check V5 numbers match slam panel and panel under carpet (check surrounding areas for signs of fresh paint or welding. Prefix should be BFGC4
Transmission
• Crunching through gears means worn synchro (except reverse)
• Listen for whining from box and diffs
• Uprated clutch?
Electrics
• Remote releases for boot and petrol filler
• Look for frayed or damaged wiring in engine bay
Paperwork
• V5 (check previous keepers)
• When does MOT expire?
• Previous MOTs
• Receipts for work
• Power output?
• CAT 1 Thatcham alarm and documentation?
• Who did the head recondition? What involved?
Buying
• RAC hpi check (re written off stolen recovered etc) 0800 975 5867 (£20) or Hpi 0845 300 8905 (£42) or AA 0800 056 8040 (£40 & free mileage info)
• Receipt for deposit