yes, the Pod still sounds great on a clean amp...you dont have to use your amps models, but you can still, and it sounds good (although, as was mentioned above, the sound is coloured by your amps sound, and so wont sound exactly like the amps being modeled).

I'd say do it...you can generally get a Pod2 for around 120pounds, but remember that you will need to spend quite a bit more on a footswitch/floorboard for anything other than recording? as far as I know, the least this will set you back is about 60 quide for the Fbv4...but I'm not sure of that price...tis an estimate.