I have owned savages in both .22 and 17HMR and both were really accurate. And now they have the accutrigger so that's even better. My .22 was well under 200 dollars for the plain jane model and my 17 was right around 200 for the heavy barral with standard wood stock.
The biggest difference between the savage and marlins right now is the trigger. Before the accutriger I would have said take your pick with whichever felt better in your hands. Now the savage has a better trigger so that would be my pick.

I never used the clip on mine, I always shot it single shot to be honest. Never shot out of vehicle either since it isn't legal where I live.

Paul