Mine has only ever gone to a "proper" mechanic for the gearbox servicing because you don't want to mess that stuff up. But my husband works on mine (I wish I could say I did it myself but I'm not much chop at that stuff) and he's changed the coil overs, suspension parts, serviced it etc with no problems and he's a web developer, not a mechanic
As everyone else has said, the parts are fairly easy to get and not too expensive and the RB is a great engine. I love my car.
Buy it - you won't be disappointed