i totally can identify with that message - i too have thought it's an ugly piece of sh.t car but after getting the 1.8i hatch as a loaner i changed my opinion on them completely - it was an extremely fun car to drive.
if you go to any big city in europe though you'll see a lot of the 1ers on the streets. whether it's just badge whores or it's a sensible buyer you're seeing is another matter.
