As said there is no reliability issue with the cars, this issue only rises from ill informed meddling, I have to say if your not mechanically minded then there not the car for you.

2 musts to check are a fan and fuel pump rewire.

Disagree about being a handful in the wet, I have never had any trouble with mine (2WD)

Check the usual rot places, wheel arches, boot floor, floor pans etc, also check the wings for stamps to see if any wings have been replaced.

Just make sure you get a sound one, and the engine is not tired, as this is where you will notice the expence/grief, IMO they are strong all round cars.

Martin