I ran into one of these yesterday for $150, new. Being without a .22lr (thanks CCPD ) I fondled it. I didn't expect it to be as light as it was but it fit just right. I'm going to try and sneak out today and see if I can bring it home
I have one that's older than I am. It's accurate and reliable. Never had an issue with it getting dirty - it has to get really dirty before it'll stop on me. Last time I was shooting I decided it was getting time to clean it again. Pulling back the bolt, I felt more resistance than usual and felt/heard that wonderful "crunch" of a too-dirty rimfire.
They can be had used for about $100 used. If you get a model with a plastic stock, they're a bit lighter. You can buy Marlin replacement stocks at Brownell's IIRC. I think I got the Marlin plastic stock for mine for about $30...
My only complaints are the tube mag (six of one, half dozen of the other on that, though - I'd find gripes with the box, too) and the stock is a Monte-Carlo style that isn't too comfortable for using iron sights. It's definitely a scoped rifle. Mine works good with a cheap 4X on it, I'm going to upgrade to a better 3-9 next time I get it out, though. It was hitting golf balls at 100 yards about one out of three attempts.