I am not sure if i can provide enough information to get a good idea as to the value of two guns i am looking at, but i'll take a shot at it. You folks convinced me that the best option for my guest gun would be the youth 243 since i plan to eventually give to my young daughter. On my lease, two members whose kids have grown, offered to sell me their guns. I do not have a price yet, but want to get an idea as to value from you. They will be keeping the scopes which is fine since i have a good scope to use.
One gun is a 243 Rem 700, basic model and in avg condition. The other is a basic Savage, not sure what model, but a simple gun in avg condition. Both are wood stocks with normal wear/tear with usual knicks and marks.

any ranges or guestimates are appreciated. One disadvantage to these might be related to the newer guns allowing you to switch from youth to adult stocks, etc. I am not yet sure how much a new gun costs, so depending on the savings, i will need to consider new.

Remington 700sps new in my area is going for around $465.00. Savage package guns around the same price. This may give you some idea on new price.

Last Friday night, I saw a brand new synthetic stocked Remington 700 ADL Youth .243 at the Wal-Mart in Fredericksburg Texas for $325.00.

One of my uncles favorite guns is a 243 remington youth model he bought when his daughter was born. He put a full sized stock on it and a leupold VX-II scope on it. It is one of his favorite rifles to take into the woods and hunt with. He has dozens and dozens of rifles from his .22's up to his SWAT sniper rifle and the youth .243 is one that is always in his truck...

Buy a new Rem 700 ADL/SPS the lower price 700 action or a brand new Savage, which ever you like when you pick them up and hold. If you buy the Savage do not buy the scope package, the scope is worth nothing. Do not buy a Rem 710 or any other model than the 700. I make this statement because both of these guns are great values and the price new will probably not be a whole lot more than used. I would have to be able to pay $250 or less and the gun be guaranteed by the owner to shoot well, before I would choose used over new.

I hope my kids never sell their youth guns.

With you, I never sell any gun someone gave me. Sell very very few I buy. For the good of my family I will sell anything I own, but the guns will be last.