Guess I will add my 2 cents worth...

I bought my Winchester 94 for $200. It was in about the samecondition as what you are describing and had a cheap Tasco scope on it (which has since come off).

So the price sounds about right.

What you should also be checking is how does the rifle fit you? Does it carry well for you? Have you compared it to the Marlin?

Both are fine rifles. So I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

~Robert
PS: but you should go with the Winchester