In my experience any change in pedal weight and issues with gearing are ultimately going to lead to a failed Clutch and/or cylinders. Have they ever been changed and whats your mileage?
The MA issues are a bit random and not easy to predict - Mine could not have been serviced better but still went?! The early MA engines - of which the Delta is user of - had a known issues with oil/port seals which has been rectified on later modified Actuators. Unfortunately mine went and the oil starvation took the Turbo with it.............................
Actually there is an SR 1.6 Diesel on a private sale nearby, and another 1.6 diesel auto with full leather, nav and double glass roof not far away. Ideally I wanted petrol, but I might give these a look as well.
Great advice Ian! One of my number plate lamps failed and the bulb out indicator light up on the dash... I hopped out of the car, gave it a thump and it came back on lol! Been fine now for about a month!