It is a lovely lens... is it worth £1k?
Well yes I think it might be if you don't want/need VR and are a FF user, but ONLY if it has had a new AF-S motor and associated electronics replaced lately. I paid £740 for mine but with no guarantee (it does have a new motor, DC-DC and main board though and optically is perfect). These lenses are at the latest 2003 and so are now around 6-10 years old. The lens itself and mechanicals are bomb proof, but the electronics can fail after time. A new AF-S motor is about £180 + fitting.
I love mine and would only part with it if I had to.