I learned to drive in a 1.4 version. its was brilliant, in a completely forgettable, unimpressive almost teutonic kind of way.
do you know what I mean? theres just nothing wrong with it.
I also had driving lessons, and took my driving test (which I passed, first time, back in 1988) in a white one of these. Like you say, they are the car equivalent of white goods - you may as well be driving a fridge, they are so devoid of character!
One thing that struck me about it was the incredibly light clutch, compared to anything else I've ever driven.
Good to see a decent survivor.