Hi
The old diesels, if you can find one, are a bit agricultural, but like everything, if they have been properly serviced they are a good slogger of an engine.
The 1.8 K series has it's problems. It seems a bit pot luck as to whether you have trouble or not. We had one for a couple of years with no trouble. But we now have a TD4!
V6's are very good, but can be a bit thirsty.