Living with a disco

Im selling my 110 as I jus dont get the time to use it, but quite fancy the idea of an old cheapish disco that I can use more often. I would only use it once or twice a week as a second car, but as I do very miles these days im considering selling my bmer and using it as my every day transport.
Im looking to spend around the £1000 mark and was wondering if for that kind of money I will be able to pick up a half decent tdi disco thats not full of rot.
My main concern is the gearbox, and how do I tell if its on its last legs. I quite fancy the idea of an auto, but are they more tempermental than a manual. If anybody finds any bargains on the net could you forward them to me, cheers John, NW

hiya john, just compare it to mine if yer find one, you know how a gear box should feel, condition etc etc, mines a 92 j on 185k.

oh i have a vouge se 3.9 fer sale that would meet yer budget.

and not andy's one. this has a gas kit with it.