Thanks for all the input. I've missed it as a bargain, as the price has gone up by £200, but I may still take a look and test drive, at least to see if all the fuss about it is true.
I've never not liked my 200. I know it's not a performance car, and never bought it as one. I'm also not looking for a performance car either; as I've said many times before, the extra bhp the 300 has is simply a byproduct to me - if I wanted a fast car I'd go buy a fast car. One thing I've learned from having the 200, is I'm much more about smoothness, quiet, relaxing drives; no drama, and comfort. What's nice about the IS is that you can cruise everywhere with no drama, but if you do feel a bit spritely on the way home through the country lanes, the suspension and handling feels just as much at home being chucked into bends at higher speeds than you should be doing, than most other cars I've owned (with the exception of S1 Escort Turbo's - those things were built to be abused though bends!)
And as much as I love the manual in my 200 Sport, I've come to realise I just want an auto. The 200 manual is a lovely, tight, precise feeling box, excellent gate and changer, and apart from the strange "thud" you get going from 1st to 2nd (still there in other gears, but most noticeably in 1st>2nd) it's by far one of, if not the nicest manuals I've had. However, I want to go ever lazier and get an auto, and I was never that impressed with the autobox in the 200's. So I might as well look at the 300.
Will have a gander at it and see whats what. End result, if the car - regardless of the engine or gear box in it - isn't as nice as the one I have; ie, condition, appearance, and most importantly, the handling, then it's not worth me changing mine for it. If it is as nice, or even better, then it's worth considering. I'm not going to buy a car I don't think is as nice as mine *just because* it's got a bigger engine or an autobox. It needs to be the whole package or not at all