I am probably the wrong person to ask.
I LOVE THE CAR.
I have owned just such a car for over 13 years. The 2.2 is great. I do think that when it is mated to a manual it is quite fun to drive (and I have owned faster cars, 911 Carrera). I agree that a 2.5 manual is more fun, but the 2.2 manual is better than either a 2.2 or 2.5 auto, and, I think, even better than a 2.5 turbo (automatic only).
I still get 35 mpg routinely, and I have gotten as high as 44 with the car even with 300kmi on the original engine. I have gotten over 220kmi on the second clutch.
I have done almost (99%) of the work on the car, so I can talk to you about it in greater detail that I would care to type. Feel free to contact me directly at
jjovanovic@factor-ip.com, and I can tell you all you want to know.