Re: Issues of which I need to be aware?
Well, if it's a manual, you never need worry about:
1) The "conductor plate".
2) The leaky electrical connector on the side of the transmission.
3) If the previous owner had the transmission serviced, and if it was done properly.*
4) The TCM getting wet and putting you in "limp mode".
*(you just need two quarts of Mobile 1 5W20 every 50,000 miles or so).