the dreaded 'Check Gearbox' light that cost $400 to replace a part.

Just so you know, there is an electronic switch ( in a triangle-shaped metal
housing).
that sits on top of the transmission in full view. It controls shifting I
believe.
That part is known to flake out with age and is a common source for the
gearbox light.

My daughter purchased the car because it was a decent car that she
could afford (18 years old). I took her to a used car lot where a
friend of mine works. I had worked at a full line dealership where he
was in sales. They were asking 6995 USD for it. We brought it home and
I went over it pretty closely. There were a number of minor things
wrong with it. Before took it back, we talked it over and she told him
she could only afford 3300 USD. The usual head scratching and "let me
see what I can do" routine and the offer was accepted. I had done some
research of the cars and thought it was worth the money and was a
fairly safe car for her.

I could not afford to buy it.........then again, my wife and I looked
at a '95 Jag Vanden Plas last week.......   ( : 0