I think some of the comments are harsh.
I don't have a problem with the seller or the car. He's just straight talking, giving an honest assessment of the car and doesn't want to be messed around. He's just describing a typical 150k mile 17 year old car which is neither dropping to bits or pristine.
The price looks fair with the hard top. It is higher mileage but there are plenty of people (me included) who will put <1,000 miles on per year and won't care as long as it's cheap enough. I do find 2.0s a little bit of a turn-off though.
It's got a brand new MOT, refurb'd alloys and a tonneau cover. The tonneau cover would return £100 straight off. Stick a set of cheap alloys on and maybe liberate another £100+ from selling the ones currently on the car.
Pay £1,700 count the hardtop as £500 and it would be pretty sad if you couldn't get £1,200 for it. Pick the car up for £1,500 and it's a no brainer for me.
The guy is just offering to deliver the car once it's been viewed and a sale agreed in return for his fare home. I had the same offer 2 weeks ago from a seller.
Someone will get a decent deal there unless the seller is covering up a serious problem and I don't think he will be.