I have the standard 95bhp 1,4l hatchback now on 28,000miles, with an overall average of 47.1mpg. I'm still very happy with the Tipo, but I'm having two drop links replaced. Not so good considering the fairly low mileage, but my garage mechanic thinks the roads could be to blame. He also told me, to my total incredulity, that they are plastic on a lot of modern cars. Maybe toffee would be harder wearing, but then I'm not an automotive designer.
The plastic ones are often hard-wearing the the metal one's as they have more give before deforming
And it's usually the ball joints that go rather then the main body of them