Yep, and the only reason a manual tranny should let go is sloppy maintenance like never replacing $9.00 shift linkage rubber bushings or never having shift linkage adjusted at the dealership (god forbid). Otherwise the 4-spd 240D makes for potential lifetime car if well maintained.

But I think the real question here is whether it will make a good part-time driver. Just my opinion, but the culture-shock difference between say driving a 2002 gasoline Toyota and 240Diesel is too severe. The happiest 240D owners are those who never drive anything else. It's hard to explain, but the 4-spd 4cyl diesel completely changes your driving habits. And then driving a normal car becomes a dead and lifeless experience.

True 240D cult nuts like me believe that every car built ever since is designed to remove the driver from the driving experience.