To answer your question, sort-of, I guess it really depends a lot on what you are looking for. Obviously newer models are more likely to be in better shape; less miles, fewer issues.
Even if you are looking at older, higher mileage bikes, there are very few serious issues related to the Savage, and most of those are easy fixes.
I stumbled on mine; a '94 with 12,000 miles, last Fall. in nearly running condition, needed only a carb cleaning and re-build, for $250. That was a steal, I know, but last Fall I found several others that were run-able for $800 or less. Right now on Craigslist, it's Spring fever time, so the prices I am seeing are much higher (I still check in for fun...).
If you cruise through the Tech section on this forum, you'll get a good sense of what kinds of issues others have run into; the cam chain tensioner for example. Super-easy fix; possibly catastrophic if you don't, but not a concern on a newer bike.
These bikes are generally pretty bullet proof, and most of them that are out there have been beginner bikes, so even the older ones have very low miles and have never been run hard or abused. The thing to look for are signs of neglect; PO bought the bike, rode around a bit, outgrew it, parked it for two years, can't get it started and has given up trying after just 10 minutes in the garage...
Happy Hunting!!
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