Good choice but then I am biased!
Firstly, don't dismiss the Cirrus engined versions, they are considerably more economical to operate than the Gipsy engined ones (4.5 gph v 6.5 gph). However, they do lift less of a load and they have an 800 hour TBO after which they have to run "on condition". I'm not sure what the Gipsy TBO is but I don't think it's a whole lot more, maybe 1,200 hours??
Whatever the engine, check for oil leaks especially around the magnetos, pushrod tubes and valve covers. They all leak oil (just like a British motorbike of the era) but some do it more than others.
Don't be put off by dented leading edges (as long as they aren't cratered!) as the D section forward of the main spar that forms the leading edge is made of very light gauge ally. Dents are endemic to the breed especially the starboard wing as it catches the crud thrown up by the prop first.
As in all fabric covered steel tube taildraggers, beware of corrosion in the rear, lower fuselage tubes. Banging them with the handle of a screwdriver should result in a solid thud. If not, they are REALLY bad!
Make sure the airframe is covered in a plethora of zips and / or inspection rings. I've just cut 30 holes in mine as the previous owners / inspectors had covered everything up and I wanted to see what the main spar etc really looked like, up close and personal. All was good thankfully
Make sure the windscreen is good, they are £450 + VAT etc each. Also the rear roof transparency as that is a lovely curved blow moulding and rare as hen's teeth. Check the engine mounting bolts have been inspected and / or changed as to replace the top pair is a fuel tank out job if there is a forward fuel tank. Not a problem on the models with wing tanks only obviously.
Check the condition of the undercarriage bungees by removing the aluminium pressing in front of the seats. They aren't a problem to replace but it'll cost you around £200 to do it once you have located someone with a bungee fitting tool..... (I know someone who has one in the Herts area).
As with all aircraft with control cables, check them for fraying or polishing (the stage just before they start to fray) where they travel through guides or over pulleys.
Apart from the above, virtually all of which applies to any fabric covered taildragger and most ally covered aeroplanes, they are a simple, cheap (in aviation terms) to maintain and run, fun to fly aeroplane. I prefer mine to the L4 Cub I had before it.
Hope I didn't take up too much bandwidth there BR
L