advice on buying 99 1.8 Esteem

[granite hauler]

I am going to look at a 99 Esteem -Auto trans with a 1.8. Can any one tell me the strong and weak points of the vehicle. Also it has 123,000 miles on it.
How long do these engines run and what if any are the service needs of this engine, such as timine chains etc.
Thank you in advance for any help given.
Is the Auto Trans in these good and how long do they run?
What kind of milage can I expect hwy and town?
Thanks Again

[MysticX]

Timing chain probably needs to be changed, I believe 100k is the recommended interval. Ask for receipts for things like transmission fluid changes, brake fluid, spark plugs, and of course oil changes. The engine and transmission are fairly solid, but make sure you don't have any valve noise as it can be a sign of lifter problems (or just a poor oil change). Mileage depends highly on driving style and how well the vehicle is maintained. I get around 33/27 with a light foot, but on a higher mileage older car expect lower.