Manual Trans Reliability??

In my quest for a cheap car that is reliable and fuel efficient
(Devil kicks angel off shoulder)
I WANT SOMETHING NICE!!! NEEDS TO BE MANUAL!!
(Angel crawls back on)
I have decided I am going to get a cavalier.

So...If I was to get something with a 4 cylinder (would be
a first for me), It would have to be a manual....the dang
automatic just bogs the ecotec down too much for me.
(And I have decided on 03-04)

I would like to hear everybody's input on what they have
seen the stock 5 speed live through.
Are they pretty tough?
Hard parts reliable?
Under normal use what kind of clutch life?
Rebuildability?

What else should I know about these things?